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 ...

A Chronological Abridgment, OR, EXTRACT OF THE HISTORY OF FRANCE.

By the Sieur de Mezeray.

TOME III.

Beginning at King Francis II. and ending at the end of the Reign of Henry IV.

Translated by John Bulteel, Gent.

LONDON, Printed for Thomas Basset, Samuel Lowndes, Chri∣stopher Wilkinson, William Cademan, and Jacob Tonson, MDCLXXXIII.

FRANCIS II.

King LIX.

Aged XVI Years and VI. Months.

POPES,

• PAUL IV. 27 dayes under this Reign.
• PIUS. IV. Elected the 26 of De∣cember 1559. S. Five Years, and eleven Months and a half.

[Year of our Lord 1559] IF in a State it be a certain sign of it's decadency, the want of good Heads for Council, and good hands, (great Soldiers) for Execution: it is as certain a fore-runner and cause of troubles and Civil Wars, to have mul∣titudes of Princes and over-grown Nobility when there is not an Authority great enough to contain and keep them to their duty. This misfortune hapned to France after the death of King Henry II. as soon as he was no more, the Factions which were formed during his Reign, began to appear, and by an unluckly fate met with, to fortifie themselves, differing Parties in Religion, great numbers of Malecontents, lovers of Novelties, and which was more and worse, Soldiers of Fortune, who having been disbanded would needs get themselves some employment at what rate soever.

On one side were to be seen the Princes of the Blood and the Constable, on the other the Princes of the House of Guise; betwixt these two Parties, the Queen Mother who was bargaining to make her best Market, and sided sometime with the one, and then with the other: In the midst of all these a young King, as weak in mind as in body, exposed to the first occupier, and the prize contended for the Government of the Kingdom.

As for the Guises, they were Five Brothers, the Duke, the Cardinal de Lor∣raine, the Duke d'Aumale, the Cardinal de Guise, and the Marquess d'Elbeuf: we are not to make any reck'ning of the three last because they acted nothing but by the inspiration and motion of the other two. The Duke drew his Party to him by the Reputation of his Valour, his Liberality, and his Affability, the Cardinal de Lorraine by his Eloquence and his Learning. They were, notwith∣standing of very different humors, the Duke moderate, just, undaunted in dan∣gers, the Cardinal hot, undertaking and vain, puffed up with good success, but trembling and faint-hearted at the least frowns of Fortune.

Amongst the Princes of the Blood, there was Anthony King of Navarre, Lewis Prince of Condé, the Duke of Montpensier, and the Prince de la Roche-sur-yon. Anthony was a voluptuous and fearful Prince, and more considerable for his Qua∣lity then his Power; Lewis was Valiant, Hardy, and one the greatness of whose Courage, and meanness of whose slender Fortune, made him fit to undertake eve∣ry thing. Anthony did not stand firm but abandoned his younger Brother: to his

[Year of our Lord 1559] very death he fluctuated in doubts of Religion, and was neither a good Catho∣lick, nor right Lutheran. His Brother followed the Opinions of Calvin.

The Guises seized upon the Kings Person, because he had Married their Niece Mary Steward Queen of Scotland, and upon the favourable pretence of the Ca∣tholick Religion; The others made sure of the Male-contents, the disbanded Soul∣diers, and the protection of the Religionaries, whose dispair was yet much greater and stronger then their numbers.

The Mareschal de Saint André, a Lord as brave as witty and polite, but very Luxurious and over-head and ears in debt, devoted himself wholly to them, and promised the Duke to bestow his Daughter upon which of his Sons he pleased, with all the Estate belonging both to him and his Wife, reserving only the clear revenue during their term of Life; This he did fearing to be devoured by his Creditors should he ever happen to be expell'd the Court.

The Constable a great temporiser, and who had wont to be prime Minister of State, could not stoop now to be Inferior. He admitted the flatteries and cares∣ses of both Parties: but at length adhered to the Guisians, in hatred to the no∣vel opinions, being perswaded by his Wife, and second Son, that the Title he bare of the first Christian Baron, would not allow him to linck himself with those who did impugne the Catholick Religion.

The Duke of Montpensier and the Prince de la Roche Sur-Yon, though both of the House of Bourbon, were led by the same motives, and did not so much respect the proximity of Blood, as the name of the Ancient Church, and the King, from whom they would not start aside for any other Consideration what∣soever.

A motive directly contrary to the Constables, cast the Admiral de Coligny and his Brother Dandelot, Colonel of the French Infantry, on the side of those Prin∣ces who favour'd the new Religion, of which they were thoroughly convinced and perswaded, besides that they had the Honour to be Allied to the Prince of Condé. For he had Married Elenora de Roye, Daughter of one Magdelain de Mailly, who was their Sister by the Mothers side, she and they being Born of Louisa de Montmorency, who was first Married to Frederic du Mailly * 1.1, Then to the Mareschal de Chastillon Father of these two Lords.

When King Henry II. received his hurt, the Queen Mother was in suspence a day or two whether to joyn with the Constable or the Guises. She looked upon both the one and the other as her Enemies, being all Allied to the Dutchess of Valentinois, whom she hated mortally, though in her Husbands Life-time she feigned to love her even to the height of confidence. But she thought her self much more affronted by the Constable, then the Guises, because it was he that had last adventur'd to contract an Alliance with that Woman, Besides the Guises utterly abandoned her, notwithstanding the repugnance of the Duke d'Aumale who was her Son in Law: and withal they promised this Queen so much Service and so great Submission, that she resolved to stand by them; To which me may add that being Uncles to the young King, as they were, it might perhaps have been out of the reach of her power or interest to have set them aside.

When the Constable perceived his Game was near lost, he sent in all post hast to the King of Navarre to press him to come and take that Place and Authority his Birth justly claimed under the young King: but that Prince who was slow and irresolute, and who withal did not much confide in him, because he had once ad∣vised the deceased King to seize upon the remainder of his petit Kingdom, did not make much hast. This signal fault, and after this his strange irresolutions, and the weakness of his Conduct during all this and the following Reign, may be accounted indirectly amongst the principal and main causes of all the Troubles and Misfortunes that befel the Kingdom of France.

Wherefore the Guises having gained the Mastery at Court, the King declared to the Parliaments Deputies when they came to wait on him; That he had com∣mitted the direction of his Affairs to them, that is to say, the Intendance or Over-sight of all the Affairs of War to the Duke, and that of the Finances, or Treasury to the Cardinal. Being thus establish'd, they consider'd of removing out of the way all those that might be obnoxious. They left the Constable and Mareschals of France no more Commission but to Bury the late King, and sent the Princes of Condé and de la Roche Sur-Yon into Spain, the first to carry the Coller of the Order to King Philip, the other to get the Treaty of Peace confirmed. They likewise banished the Dutchess of Valentinois from the Court: but first ob∣liged

her to restore and deliver up the Jewels and the rich Furniture and [Year of our Lord 1559] Goods the late King had bestowed upon her, and took away her fair House of Chenonceaux to accommodate the Queen-Mother, in exchange for the Castle of Chaumont upon the Banks of the River Loire.

Desiring by embellishing the face of their new Government with a shew of Goodness and Justice towards the publick, to condemn the Government past, they took the Seals from Bertrandi Cardinal and Archbishop of Sens, whose re∣putation was not of the best, and restored them to the Chancellor Ol vier, a per∣son really of a much more then ordinary merit and of great probity: but who soon perceived they had recalled him to servitude rather then to a freedom of fun∣ction in the highest Office of the Kingdom.

The Queen-Mother in the mean time persuaded the King to discharge the Constable, and on her own score, reproach'd him for having said, That of all the Children which King Henry had, there was none resembled him but a natural Daughter of his.

She desired also that the Cardinal de Tournon night be recalled, because She would make use of his Counsel, which she thought would be the more sincere, he being engaged to neither party. The Guises agreed to it, and indeed it would have been difficult for them to hinder it, besides they believed they might be confi∣dent of him, he being a capital enemy to the Constable.

The King of Navarre crawled along by easie journeys, and made a halt at Vendosme. The Princes of Condé and de la Roche Sur-Yon went even to that place to sollicite him to come to Court. He came at length, but too late, the Guises had taken care he should be ill received, they did not assign him Lodgings suita∣ble to his Quality, he must have laid on the Floor had not the Mareschal de Saint André lent him his; and as soon as ever the King saw him, he told him he had given the administration to his Uncles de Guise.

Notwithstanding all this unworthy treatment, his friends exhorted him to stand his Ground: the Guises bethought them of a Stratagem to make him quit the Spot. They read before him in full Council some Letters from the King of Spain, of whom the Queen had demanded assistance against the Factious where∣with she was threatned; The Letters imported, that in case there should be any found so audacious as to controll the Government the King had established, he offer'd his whole power to chastise them. The Navarrois easily apprehended that this might be a plausible colour and pretence for him to invade his Country of Navarre, and was councell'd to go back with all possible speed to put things in good order: but that he might leave the Court with some kind of reputation, he got the Commission to conduct the new Queen of Spain to the Frontiers.

He went not however till after the Kings Coronation. This Ceremony was performed the one and twentieth of September with great Pomp in the City of Reims, by the Ministery of the Cardinal de Lorrain who was Archbishop thereof. At their departure from thence he conducted the Queen to Navarre, being ac∣companied by the Cardinal de Bourbon and the Prince de la Roche Sur-Yon. He delivered her up to King Philips Deputies, those were the Cardinal de Burgos, and his Brother the Duke de l'Infantado; and because it was said she should be conducted into the Territories of Spain, and yet the delivery of her was at Ron∣cevaux which is within the limits of Navarre, he drew up a Protestation that it might be no prejudice to him, and that from thence they might not make it a consequence, that the Kingdom of Navarre was a Province dependant on Spain. After this the Spaniards in recompence for his pains and care, gave him fair, but empty hopes, to do him right concerning his Kingdom. He nibled at this Bait, and the Queen-Mother amused and tempted him with it as long as he li∣ved.

In the preceding Month of August, King Philip had left the Low-Countries, and was gone into Spain by Sea, where he chose his residence for all the rest of his life. His Father had tenderly cherished the Flemmings, and had most happily made use both of their Councils and Arms: but he being bred in the imperious Air of Spain, could not agree with a people that were free, and such as could prodigally expose both their lives and fortunes for their Princes service, but yet would not suffer themselves to be robbed of them. He left as Governess over them Margaret his natural Sister Wife of Octavian Duke of Parma, with whom was joyned as chief Counsellor Anthony Perenot de

[Year of our Lord 1559] Granvelle a Cardinal, originally a Franc-Comtois, but haughty and arrogant as a Spaniard. At his Arrival in Spain he caused a great many to be burnt in his own pre∣sence at Seville and Valladolid of those they call Lutherans, both Men and Women, Gentlemen and Ecclesiastiques, as likewise the Effigies or Fantosme of Constance Ponce Confessor to Charles V. who attended that Emperor till his death. We must not wonder that he scrupled no more the defaming of his Fathers Memory, since, if we will believe some, he would have made his process too, and have burnt his bones for the Crime of He∣resie, nothing hindring him from it, but this consideration that if his Father were an He∣retick, he had forfeited * his Estates, and by consequence had no right to resign them to his Son.

Some weeks before the departure of the Navarrois, there were two Edicts made, one of them to forbid the wearing of any Fire-Arms, or even long Cloaks or large Breeches that might conceal them: The second revoked all alie∣nations of the Demeasnes. Both the one and the other were made at the desire of the Guises, the first for the security of their Persons, the second that they might prejudice or gratisie whom they pleas'd. And indeed they gained many of the great ones by this means; as they likewise made themselves many crea∣tures by the creation of Eighteen Knights of the Order of Saint Michael. Which so debased and vllified that Order, formerly preserved with great care by the Kings of France, that it was in raillery called the Coller for every Beast.

With the same design and that they might have Governments and Offices e∣nough for themselves and for their friends, they obliged the King to declare that he would suffer none hereafter to hold two at one time. The Admiral had the Government of the Isle of France and that of Picardy, he resigned the latter very chearfully, believing they would bestow it on the Prince of Condé: but the Guises disposed of it in favour of Brissac, whom they intended to bind to their own Party. The Constable endured a pulling by the Ears before he would lay down his Office of Grand Maistre of the Kings Houshold; when he perceived that after fair warning they were going to use force, he surrendred it to the King, who conferr'd it upon the Duke of Guise. All he could do was to obtain an Office of Mareschal of France, which was created extraordinary, for Francis his eldest Son.

After the Coronation they carried the King to Bar. The Duke of Lorrain his Brother in Law being come to salute him there, he by Letters Patents renounced the Soveraignty he had of Barrois, in favour of that Prince.

The Novelty and pretence of a Reformation in an Age that so much wanted it, opened the hearts of the French to the new Religion, and on the other hand the necessity there was to pluck up this Darnel and the like Weeds; furnish'd those that governed with a fair occasion and opportunity to make themselves formida∣ble, even to the most innocent, who in such junctures, fear lest they should be look'd upon as Hereticks how little soever tainted.

The young King believed that to execute his Fathers will, was to extirpate all such as opposed the Catholick Belief: to this end he Created in each Parliament a particular Chamber, or Court, that took Cognisance of no other matter. They were named Chambres Ardentes* 1.2, because in effect they burned without Mercy all such as were convicted: and there needed no other proof but the find∣ing them at some Nocturnal or Clandestine Conventicle. The President Saint André, and the Inquisitor* 1.3 Demochares laboured with great diligence at Paris, and sought them even in the bottom of Cellars, upon the intelligence of their Spies, amongst others a Taylor and two Goldsmiths who had been of that Reli∣gion.

Two young Men of these Mouchards, or Informers deposed, that in those mid∣night Assemblies they did eat of the Pascal Lamb, and Roasted Pigg, and afterwards put out the Lights, and mingled in an unclean manner with those they first hap∣ned to meet, nay one of them affirmed that upon the like occasion it fell to his lot to encounter an Advocates Daughter of the Place Maubert, at whose House they held such communion. This calumny was spread abroad by the populace, told in the Louvre, and brought to the Ears of the King and Queen, and though

these Witnesses had been convict of falsehood by the Chancellor, that did not [Year of our Lord 1559] hinder it from making some impression on the Queen.

Thus the Religionaries being pursued and punished every where, especially in the great Cities, as Aix in Provence, Toulouze, Poitiers, and Bourges, began to think how to defend themselves. They first made use of the Pen, and scatter'd about se∣veral Libels which tended to make out, that Kings ought not to be accounted Majors sooner then other Men; That in the mean time it belonged to the Estates to assign them a Council; and that the Princes of the Blood ought to have the first place and rank; that the Laws of the Land did not admit either of Women, or Strangers; That the Guises were not natural French Men; That besides they had pretensions upon Anjou and Provence, and even to the whole Kingdom, say∣ing they were descended from Charlemain; That therefore the trusting them with the Government was to hazard the whole State. They added many rea∣sons and examples, to prove the administration of Cardinals had ever been very prejudicial to France; That Francis I. though he made use of them, yet ne∣ver admitted them into the Council when it concerned the Affairs of Rome; and that experience had fully enough demonstrated that the Venetian Polity, which excluded all Ecclesiastiques from the management of Affairs, was very wise, and very prosperous.

These Books wanted not forr eplies. Du Tillet one of the Registers in Par∣liament made one, which at that time was torn to pieces and silenced by the multiplicity of smart answers: but in another Season had the fortune to be revi∣ved and brought in credit by the Chancellor de l'Hospital, and cry'd up as it had been a Law of the Land.

They then were labouring in good earnest for the Execution of the Articles of Peace. The Mareschal de Brissac with much regret gave up the City of Va∣lence, and those in Piedmont. Those that held Thionville and the places of Luxem∣burgh, went out with curses in their Mouths against those Ministers that made that Treaty; nor could any heart be so hardned as not to be touched at the la∣mentations and sad cryes wherewith the Corses and Siennois endeavoured to move Heaven and Earth to compassion, when they had notice the French abandoned them to their severe Masters. The Siennois made the last attempt their dispairing impotency could prompt them to, for the defence of their liberty: but in a short time, they fell under the weight of the Spanish Forces, who to compleat the mea∣sure of their misery, delivered them over to the Duke of Florence, reserving however the maritime Towns.

There were at Court great numbers of persons of every Province, especially Martial Men, who demanded either their pay, or some reward. The Cardinal de Lorrain who had the management of the Treasury, was mightily importun'd and pester'd with them, and moreover he apprehended some Conspiracy amidst the multitude. Wherefore he caused an Edict to be published which commanded all such as followed the King and Court only to solicite and begg some thing of him, they should forbear and withdraw, upon pain of being truss'd up on a Gibbet, which for that very purpose was set up in the publick place. This rude treatment turned great numbers of those against him, that had formerly served in the Armies.

A Quartan Ague tormented the King for some Months, which made him un∣capable of applying himself to business, besides that he was naturally very weak. When he came to be cured, many pustules appeared on his livid Face, which signified some internal indisposition. He was therefore carried to Blois for change of Air; whilst he staid there, some in that Country, by whomsover employed, sought for young Infants that they might have their Blood, as they gave out to make the King a Bath. For which reason many will needs have it that he was infected with Naaman's Disease.

In the mean time they zealously prosecuted all such as were imprison'd for the matters of Religion. They began with the Counsellors of the Parliament of Paris formerly mentioned. Anne du Bourg having fenced a long time for his life by several Appeals, to the Metropolitan of Sens, then to the Primate of Lyons, for he was an Ecclesiastick and a Priest, in the end threw aside his Mask and bold∣ly declared that he professed a Belief contrary to that of the Roman Church. The Zealots of his opinion had push'd him on to this resolution. They imagined that being a man of eminent condition, of rare merit, and great vertue, at least, as to his Morals, his example would take a marvellous impression, and for

[Year of our Lord 1559] those reasons the Parliament would never expose him to the infamy of Execution. But they deceived themselves: the heat of those that had taken this business in hand, made them go thorough with it; and there hapned an Accident besides which hastned his ruine. He had excepted against the President Saint André, and find∣ing notwithstanding he still appeared, he threatned him that God would restrain and compel him to keep away. Now some days after, it so fell out, that this President going from the Palace, was assassinated and shot with a Pistol, and it was currently reported the first President was in danger of the like. The Au∣thors of this Murther could never be discovered, tho Robert Stuart being vehe∣mently suspected, was put in Prison.

This incident exasperated those that Governed in such sort, that Du Bourg was condemned to death, and after he had been degraded of his holy Orders, was burnt in the Greve, they having first strangled him. He went to his death with so much joy and so great shew of piety, that his Execution was so far from striking any terrour, it begot compassion in every one, and inspired many with this perswasion, that the Belief so good and so understanding a man professed, could not possibly be bad. The other Counsellors Eustace de la Porte, Paul de Foix and Lewis de Faur, were severally condemned to retract, and suspended from their employments for some time: but the heat of these prosecutions being over, the Parliament restored them. Anthony Fumee alone was fully and wholly absolved.

As for the other Prisoners which were in great numbers, the reiterated com∣mands from Court, heightning the severity of the Judges, they soon emptied all the Goals. They were all sent to death or banishment. As for Rohert Stuard, being able to find no favour, or yet the least recommendation in his behalf from the young Queen, who disowned any thing of Kindred or Relation to him, he endured the greatest torments of the Rack without confession, and by that means was cleered.

About these times the ordinary and mean people of their own heads, or by the suggestions of some Zealots, bethought themselves of setting up Images at all the corners of the Streets, especially that of our Lady; they adorned them, lighted Wax Tapers before them, and met together in Crowds singing the Litany and other Prayers. And if any one passed by without saluting them and staying there, or if they forgot to put something into the Box, he was taken for a Lu∣theran, and beaten and dragged in the Myre, nay sometimes to a Prison. The wiser Churchmen, who consider'd that those sacred Rites and that worship was not to be used in such undecent places, nor by people of that sort, took away as∣many of those Images as they could and placed them in their Churches.

Margaret de Lorrain Mother of Queen Mary Stuard, Governed the King∣dom of Scotland for her Daughter, assisted by Henry Clutin-Loysel who was sent thither from France. She being disturbed by the Religionaries, of whom James (a Bastard of the Kings) Earl of Murray was head, they dispatched to her a sup∣ply of Three Thousand Men commanded by la Brosse a Bourbonnois. Loysel was recalled and in his place they sent Nicholas de Pelve Bishop of Amiens, with whom they joyned some Doctors of the Sorbon, to endeavour to reclaim those that were gone astray either by instruction and perswasion or else by compulsion.

These Forces had orders when they should have subdued the Rebels, to March directly into England and conquer that with the assistance of the Catholicks, for the benefit of Queen Mary who pretended she was Heiress thereof, and had already taken the Arms into her own Coat. Elizabeth having information of it, perhaps by the Admirals means, furnished the Rebels with Twelve Hundred Men, and those together in one Body besieged the Port of Lieth, within half a League of Edinborough. La Brosse and Sebastian de Luxemburg Martigues put themselves in∣to the place to defend it. There were gallant feats of Arms acted by either par∣ty, during this Siege. At last both sides being tyred with the War, made up a Peace. In which it was agreed, that all their differences and disputes should be judged and determined by the general Estates of the Country, and that the King of France and the Queen his Wife should quit both the Arms and the Title of Kings of England.

Pope Paul V. who longed for nothing so much as to establish the Inquisition over all Christendom, made his Exit out of this World eight days after King Henry II. The Roman People, in hatred for his having put that Yoak upon their necks, broke his Sta∣tues,

and pull'd down his Arms in all places where they could come at them. The in∣trigues [Year of our Lord 1559] of Vargas Ambassador from Spain, and the Caraffa's together kept the See va∣cant for above three Months: at the end whereof was Elected the Cardinal de Mede∣quin, Brother to the Marquiss de Marignan, by the ways and methods usual in their Conclaves. Of whom it may truly be said, that he added the greatest lustre to the sa∣cred purple it ever had, by bringing his Nephew the great Saint Charles Boromeus into the number of Cardinals.

[Year of our Lord 1560] The Year 1560. began happily enough by a very wholsome Edict, ordaining in all Soveraign Companies and all inferiour Courts of Justice, that when any places were vacant, they should present three persons to the King such as were without reproach, and men thoroughly versed in the knowledge of the Law, of whom he was to chuse the party he best liked. But the importunity of Court flies, who ever stick close to what is most corrupted, and indeed live by it, would not allow so holy an Ordonnance should take place. Thus though justice in it self be a most divine and most necessary thing to all Societies, yet since the num∣ber of the wicked and such as are self-interessed will be eternally the greater, such endeavours for setling good and wholesome methods may always be praise∣worthy, [☜] but will ever prove ineffectual.

Although the Prince of Condé, the Admiral and Dandelot his Brother were no∣toriously imbued, and tainted with the Novel Opinions, and favoured to the ut∣most of their power those that did profess them, they had not as yet dared to declare themselves their Chiefs. In the end those miserable people being prose∣cuted with all extremity united together, to extinquish those flames that were kindled to consume them: but they did not restrain themselves to the defensive only, their dispair carried them far beyond those bounds and limits.

A Gentleman of Angoumois by name George Bary la Renaudie, one who had been formerly condemned for some Crime, was entrusted by the Principals to go to all the Churches of those pretended Reformed People, and perswade them to send their Deputies to Nantes about the time when the Parliament of Rennes was to be transferr'd thither. He acquitted himself so well, that there came to him at the day appointed to the number of above one hundred and fifty.

When they had heard his harangue, and weighed the opinions of several Di∣vines of their Belief, who affirmed they might take up Arms in their own defence, and make way for a free access to the King to present their Remonstrances: they Elected for their* 1.4 private or nameless Chief the Prince of Condé, and under his Authority la Renaudie; and resolved that in every Province should be chosen a certain number of Un-Married Men, who under such Chiefs by them named, should go to Amboise, upon a day assigned; that they should there present their Petition to the King, and seize upon the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal de Lor∣rain, that they might be brought to Tryal by process before the Estates. But who could give security or answer for them they would not have kill'd them out of hand, and have made themselves Masters of the Queen-Mothers person and the King himself? This was certainly all laid to their Charge.

The design was kept so private, that the Guises had advice of it from Forraign Countries sooner then they discover'd it in France. The time drawing near, la Renaudie who forged a thousand fine imaginations upon the event of this project, could not hold his tongue, but opened the whole mystery to an Advocate of his own Religion named des Avenelles, with whom he lodged at Paris. The Advo∣cate discover'd it to l'Allemand Vouzé a Master of Requests, and l'Allemand carried him to Court to declare particularly all what he had learned of la Re∣naudie.

Upon this news the Guises first provided for the security of their own persons, and without the least noise called all their trustiest friends about them, gave order for the preservation of the great Cities, caused the Prince and the Admiral to come to Court, granted an abolition of all things past to the Religionaries, excepting to those that had conspired; and at the same time set Guards of Soldiers and Men belonging to the Provosts upon all the Roads leading to the Conspirators. The Duke got the Title of Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom confirmed to him, as well whilst the King should be present, as absent, and established a Com∣pany of Musquetiers on Horse-back, all select Men, who were constantly to at∣tend the Kings Sacred Person.

[Year of our Lord 1560] The Court immediately dislodged from Blois, and went to the Castle of Am∣boise, as well because that place was stronger, as to break the measures of the Plotters. In the mean time the Duke of Guise sent the Kings Orders into all the Provinces, with exhortations to the Nobility, and Officers of War, to arm themselves for the preservation of the State, and to the Governors to seize up∣on all such as should be found in Arms, whether on Foot or on Horseback upon the Road of Amboise. The Prince of Conde who was going to Court, met the Lord de Cipierre at Orleans, by whom he was informed how the enterprize was discover'd: but this hindred not his Journey forward, nor la Renaudie (a self∣will'd fellow) from pursuing his design. But the Court having changed their station, he was fain to change the Rendezvous appointed for his Gang, and this was it that made them miscarry in the execution of the contrivance.

Castelno de Chalosses, one of the chief Ring-leaders, with Raunay and Mazeres were at Nozé. James de Savoye Duke of Nemours took the two last as they were imprudently walking without the Castle: but Castelno and the rest got in. He besieged them there, and being unable to take them by force, drew them out by fair promises; for he gave them his word he would carry them to the King and no hurt should be done to them, neither should they be confin'd to Pri∣son. But as there is no security in the faith of that Man that is not able to warrant it * 1.5, as soon as they were come to Amboise they were cast into a Goal, and Ne∣mours thought it a sufficient excuse to say, I cannot help it.

La Renaudie who was in Vendosmois, made his Men advance with all speed to disengage Castelno, whose surrender he knew not of: but as they Marched in small parties and by ways thorow the Forrests, the people set there by the Kings Order to watch them, easily slew them, or took them Prisoners, and tied them to their Horse-Tails to lead them to Amboise, whither they no sooner came but they hang'd them up immediately on the Battlements of the Walls, Booted and Spurr'd. The day after la Renaudie was kill'd in the Forrest of Chasteau-Renaud, but he first slew Pardillan his Cousin, to whom the King had given command to go a∣hunting after the Conspirators with two hundred Horse. His Body was for some hours hanged upon the Bridge at Amboise, with this writing, Captain of the Rebels, then quarter'd, and the quarters set up in divers places.

The Guises press'd the Chiefs might be dispatch'd, the Chancellor was of opi∣nion they should suspend that till they had found the bottom and main drift of the enterprize, and to appease the fury of those exasperated spirits, it would be fit to grant a Pardon to such whose blind zeal had misled them, provided they would return to their own homes, in small parcels of two or three in a Compa∣ny. But whilst they were contending for Mercy and Clemency against the ri∣gour of Justice and Law, a Captain of the Conspirators named la Motte, made an attempt to surprize Amboise, which stopt the Chancellors Mouth, and let loose the raynes of persecution to the utmost severity. A Command was given to take all such as had been in Armes either dead or alive, though they should be returning to their own homes.

They pardon'd very few of those they had in Hold; there were hanged, drown∣ed, and beheaded near Twelve Hundred, the Streets of Amboise were overflowed with Blood, the River choaked up with dead Corps, and the Market-places plant∣ed full of Gibbets. The Chief were Executed the last, the Queen-Mother, her three Sons, and all the Court Ladies gazing out of the Windows, beholding this Tragical Spectacle as a divertisement. Not one of them would own or confess that the Conspiracy aimed at the Kings Person, but only against the Guises. Raunay and Mazeres confessed upon the Rack that la Renaudie had told them, that if it had succeeded the Prince of Condé would have declared: Castelno stoutly denied it, and upon their confrontation gave them very significant re∣proaches.

Some writings in Cyphers seized in the Custody of la Bigne Secretary of the Conspiracy, and the Examinations of certain Captains that had Command a∣mongst them, gave them light enough to believe that the Prince of Condé and the Admiral were concerned: but the proofs not being clear, and the Evidence only upon hear-say, and those that had orders to search the Princes House, find∣ing neither Men nor Arms there, he demanded leave to purge himself in full Council before the King. The Queen Mother being willing to admit him, he made a discourse full of Reason and Eloquence to justifie himself concerning that attempt; and afterwards gave the lye to all that durst say he was guilty of it,

and offer'd to Fight them himself, renouncing his Quality, only for that pur∣pose. [Year of our Lord 1560] The Duke of Guise out of a most profound dissimulation applauded his generosity, and told him, he was also ready to maintain his Innocency: but in private he notwithstanding was of opinion he ought to be seized on. The Queen Mother did not judge it convenient, whether she feared the Guises might make themselves too absolute, if they could but pull down the only Prince that was a∣ble to make head against them, or that she apprehended lest such a detension should produce some act of desperation, which might prove more fatal then the fore-going Conspiracy.

The danger over, they wrote Letters in the name of the King to all the Par∣liaments, Governors and great Cities, giving them an account of the eminent danger the King had escaped, and the signal Service the Duke of Guise had ren∣dred him. The Parliament of Paris giving Credit to it, bestowed upon him the glorious Title of Conservator of the Country. In the mean while the Coligny's ob∣serving they were looked upon with a very evil Eye at Court, withdrew them∣selves, and the Queen order'd the Admiral to go and quiet those Commotions that were beginning in Normandy, and to enquire and search out the real causes that he might make report thereof to her.

The horror of this Conspiracy, and so much blood as had been spilt in pu∣nishing it, so deeply wounded the Heart of Francis Olivier who had a tender and most humane Soul, that he fell sick upon it and died. The Cardinal de Lor∣raine had cast his Eye upon John de Morvilliers Bishop of Orleans: but the Queen prevented him, and desired the King to give that Office to Michael de l'Hospital; at least she made some body tell him, that he owed that favour to her, although the Cardinal would needs perswade him it came by his means; l'Hospital did af∣terwards make it plainly appear the Obligation was from the Queen, by his so closely sticking to her Interest.

The Cognisance of all matters and Crimes relating to Heresies had hitherto belonged to the Parliaments, who five years before had contended mightily to preserve the same. Now, as there were many Councellors and of the most Learned, who were imbued with those Novelties, the Cardinal de Lorraine got all such causes to be transmitted to the Bishops by an Edict of the Month of May, at Ramorantin in Berry: To which the new Chancellor consented, to prevent a greater evil, the Inquisition, which that Cardinal and the Court of Rome endea∣vour'd to introduce in France, with the same power it hath in Spain.

In France they had hitherto called those that professed the new Religion Lu∣therans, though in many points they did not follow the Doctrines of Luther. Some did more properly name them Sacramentaries, because they denied the Re∣ality of the Body of our Lord in the Holy Sacrament. This year they applied the name of Huguenots to them, which sticks upon them still. The Origine of it is uncertain: there are those that say it took its birth at Tours, and they derive it from the name of Hugon, because those Novators made their Mid-night Assem∣blies at the Gate Hugon, or because they went abroad only during the darkness, like Goblins or Spirits, by them called King Hugon, and which according to the fabulous reports of those People, stalked about the Streets of that Town in the Night time. For my own part, I think I have good Proof that it comes from a* 1.6 Swiss word which signifies League, but corrupted by those of Geneva, and from thence it Travelled into France with the Religionaries themselves, who were so called in those Countries.

After Queen Catherine had Fortified her self by the Councils of the Chancel∣lor de l'Hospital, she was precautioned as well against the Guises as against the Princes of the Blood; And as she would always keep to that Maxime of her House, as a Rule to walk by, Divide and Reign, she studied to continue the troubles, that she might still find a Party to rely upon, and make them balance one another. And if either side grew too ponderous, she put more weight into the other Scale to bring them to an equalibrity. Thus observing the absence of the two first Princes of the Blood, and the Coligny's, who were gone to their own homes, left the Guises in too great Credit, she began to lend a more favourable ear to the Huguenots, and even to read some Writings they address'd to her for their justi∣fication.

With the same prospect, or to dive into the designs and interests of the Gran∣dees, she Summoned them all to Fountainbleau upon the twentieth of August, under colour of taking their advice upon the present State of affairs, as it was other∣while

[Year of our Lord 1560] the Ancient and necessary Custom, and Method of the Kingdom of France.

The Constable, the Admiral and Dandelot went thither with a Train of Eight or Nine Hundred Gentlemen. The Assembly lasted only four Sessions; They were held in the Queen Mothers Closset, the King being present.

The first day, the King and then the Queen his Mother, having in few words declared the occasion of their being called, which was to find out some remedy for the Troubles caused by differences in Religion, and to root out those abuses that sprung up so fast in all the Orders, conjured those that were present to give their opinions and speak their thoughts without passion or interest. The Chancellor did more at large lay open what the distempers and disorders were, and the Re∣medies they might apply.

When he had ended, the Admiral advanced and falling on his knees before the King, presented him some Petitions, not signed by any one, but which he said he had received in Normandy, which implored the Kings mercy, and begged he would put some stop to the prosecutions against the Reformed, and allow them some Churches and the free exercise of their Faith.

Thereupon John de Montluc Bishop of Valence being desired to give his advice, spoke with more freedom (then any Enemy of the Church of Rome durst have done) of the abuses and vices of the Clergy, particularly the Bishops, Forty of them having been seen at one time together at Paris, wasting their precious time in sloathful idleness or forbidden pleasures; praised the devotion in singing of Psalmes and Hymnes in French, rather then wanton Ayres and Songs; Blamed the severity Inflicted upon People guilty of no other Crime, but a perswasion of what they believed to be really good; and concluded it best to refer the decision of those Controversies to a National Council, there being little hopes of a Gene∣ral one, and the reformation of the disorders in the State to an Assembly of the Estates General. Marillac Archbishop of Vienne spake to the same purpose, and added several things too picquant against the Guises.

The Cardinal de Lorraine a Prelate of a sublime Eloquence, took the Counter∣part against these two Bishops, and by weighty reasons shewed there was no need of any Council, and that the Prosecution ought to be carried on against the Sec∣taries. As to the other point, he was of opinion to call the Estates together. He also gave an account in gross of the Administration of the Treasury, as his Brother the Duke of Guise of his Conduct in the Government, justifying himself against the Calumnies imputed to him; especially his having Armed the King, against his Subjects by setting up a Guard for him, as he had done, for which he laid all the blame on those that were the Authors of the late attempts and di∣sturbances.

The result of all was an Edict the Four and Twentieth of August, which Summoned the Estates of the Kingdom to meet in the City of Melun upon the Tenth day of December, and ordained the Bishops to come to the King the Tenth of January to such place as the King should prescribe, to consult of a fit time and place to hold a National Council, in case the Pope by affected delayes did conti∣nue to defeat their hopes of the General one, so often promised. Moreover the Governors were enjoyned to watch there might be no factious Meetings, and to su spend their pursuits for matters of Religion, if no other Crime were complica∣ted with it. This was to begin a Toleration. Things being thus regulated, every one had order to retire home.

Great was the Alarm at Rome when they heard mention made of holding a Natio∣nal Council in France; Pius IV. omitted nothing to disswade the King from it. He represented to him, as a great grievance, that the Gallican Church would re-establish the Pragmatique, and by consequence the Elections, whereby the Royal dignity and prero∣gative would be much eclipsed and diminished: He intreated the King of Spain to in∣terpose his Interest and Credit with him to prevent a mischief he reckoned so prejudici∣al to his Pontifical Authority: And all these Engines proving too weak to obtain a revo∣cation of those resolutions taken in Council, he could find no other expedient to avoid it but by a General Council. He was a while in suspence, whether to call one wholly new, or whether he should continue the same his Predecessors Paul III. and Julius III. had Prorogued. All considered, the advice for continuation seemed best; And he caused publication to be made that the Council should re-commence on Easter-day the follow∣ing year.

[Year of our Lord 1560] The two Brothers Anthony and Lewis de Bourbon did not appear at the Assem∣bly of Melun: for two Months before Anthony was retired to Gascogne, and his Brother was gone to visit him. Being there in much greater security, they settled their Affairs, and projected the means and methods to make themselves the stron∣ger, and set aside the Guises. These having many faithful and trusty Servants, Spies well paid, and all rewards and punishments in their own hands, quickly discover'd their Stratagems, and blasted them before they could be ripe for Execu∣tion.

The Princes made use of one named la Sague, an Imprudent man, who Com∣municated his Secrets to a Camerade of his, with whom he had born Arms in Pi∣edmont. This Fellow whispers it to the Mareschal de Brissac, who tells it to the Duke of Guise: So that as la Sague was returning into Gascogne, he was Seized with a great many Letters. Fear of the Rack, or hopes of reward unty'd his Tongue: Himself put them in the way how to read some of them, by wetting the Paper, where before there was no Footsteps of any Writing appear'd. The most Criminal were those from Francis de Vendosme Vidame of Chartres, an Ene∣my to the Duke of Guise; so he was laid hold on and shut up in the Bastille. Some time after he was transfer'd from thence, but under a strong Guard, to his own House, where he Died of grief, if not by the Debauchery of his Youth.

Bouchard who was Chancellor to Anthony, without any other instigation but his own faint-heartedness, did likewise reveal all the practises of the Prince of Condé, and the means he made use of to engage his Brother. He thought hereby to se∣cure himself: but they Seized upon him, and put him in Prison at Saint John d'Angely, where he was kept very close, that they might have his Evidence when time Served.

There appeared in the mean time divers Commotions in the Provinces, which shewed that the whole Body of the Religionaries were on the point of making a general rising; for in Normandy, whither the Admiral had been dispatched, they met and Preached Publickly. The two Brothers Anthony and Paul Richend Mou∣vans, endeavoured to make themselves Masters of Valence, of Montelimard, of Romans in Dauphiné, and of the Cities of Aix and Arles in Provence: but the Lord de Maugeron made them fail in their enterprize; Anthony was slain in a tumult at Draguignan, Paul made his escape into Swisserland.

In like manner Charles du Puy Montbrun making use of the Religionaries in his dispute for the Government of Dauphiné at la Mothe Gondrin, was routed by his Adversary, and ran away stark naked, yet got safe to the Swiss Country.

Maligny of the House de Ferriere, who belonged to the King of Navarre at∣tempted also to Seize upon Lyons, causing his Soldiers to Ship in man by man; and he had compleated his work if N. Dapchon Abbot de Savigny who was Go∣vernor in the absence of the Mareschal de Saint André his maternal Uncle, had not discover'd his Plot and put the Bourgeois in Arms. Maligny was glad to make his escape, and the Abbot apprehending some worse Event, set open the Gates that he might be gone quietly. The Mareschal de Saint André going thither to search into the bottom of the design, caused above fifty of those rash undertakers to be executed.

The Princes promised themselves a much stronger Cabal in the Assembly of Es∣tates then the Guises: nevertheless their Friends were of Opinion they ought not to rely upon that, but come so well Armed to Court, as to be in a Condition either to drive them thence, or make them perish there. To this purpose they had given orders on all hands: but their Letters and practises having taken Air, the Guises made use of the Kings Name to fortify themselves, sent for all the Es∣tablished Company's, and put forth a Declaration, to all Governors of Provinces, commanding them to punish the disturbers of the publick Peace according to the utmost severity of the Edict, with power to Suspend and displace such Officers as had conniv'd or shew'd any indulgence towards the Factious. Besides all this, they sent to command the Princes to come to Court, only attended with their Houshold Servants, to justify themselves of such matters wherewith they were charged; so that to speak truly, they left them but a very ill-boding passage to enter, much more like a Prison Door then a Gate of the Louvre.

They resolved however to come. The Cardinal de Bourbon their Brother being deceived first, was an Instrument to deceive them; withal the Dignity of their Birth seemed an inviolable safe-conduct to them. So that the King of Navarre refused seven hundred Gentlemen of Poitou, who offer'd to attend him, and above

[Year of our Lord 1560] fifteen hundred Soldiers who were in a readiness in several Provinces, telling them his innocency, was his sufficient security, and he would give them no cause to suspect he came with any design to offer violence to the King, or to the Es∣tates.

In his Journey he received notice from several hands, that the Guises having scared the King and the Queen Mother with the pretended Conspiracy revealed by la Sague, were more Masters at Court then ever, and had put them upon the extreamest resolutions. However he went forward not duely weighing the wise Councils of Marillac Archbishop of Vienne, who having endeavour'd all that was possible to diswade him, died with Grief, and the fear he justly had conceived lest the Guises, whom he had already highly offended, should revenge themselves upon him.

The Sixteenth of October, the King with the Queen Mother, the Princes of Montpensier and de la Roche Sur-Yon, the Guises, and all the great ones of the Court, went to Orleans, after he had quartered his Gent-darmerie, and other Soldiers in all the Cities Forty Miles about, and disarmed the Citizens of Orleans, for the most part tainted with the new opinions, and suspected to have intended to deli∣ver it up to the Prince of Condé, as they did two years after. He forthwith sent Messengers into several Provinces to lay hands upon all such as the Guises had a mind to involve in the Conspiracy; an ill omen for the Prince of Condé.

And indeed as soon as he and his Brother were Arrived, and had saluted the King, Philip de Mailly Brezé, and Francis le Roy Chavigny, Captains of the Life Guards, Seized him and Convey'd him to a House in the Market place called l'Estape * 1.7, at the Corner whereof they had raised a kind of Bastion of brick with a Platform, defended by several Small Cannon.

The King of Navarre his Brother was not secured, but perceived he was ve∣ry narrowly observ'd, and forsaken by all, excepting the Admiral, and the Car∣dinal de Chastillon his Brother, who faithfully accompanied him. Dandelot more apprehensive, had retired himself to his Wifes Estate in Bretagne. The Dame de Roye Mother in Law to the Prince of Condé, was likewise Arrested, some few dayes after in his own House, and carried to the Castle of Saint Germains en Laye. So was Hierosme Grollot Bailiff of Orleans, accused of holding Correspon∣dence with the Religionaries; and Bouchard Chancellor to the Navarrois was brought from Saint Jean d'Angely, as a material Witness that knew the most for the Conviction of the Prince.

The Order for seizing the Prince was proposed by the Mareschal de Brissac, who boldly exposed himself to all for the Guises, the King signed it, and after him the Chancellor, though with regret. The Chancellor, Christopher de Thou a President in Parliament, and two Councellors, with the Procuror, or Solicitor General Bourdin, and the Register Du Tillet, went to interrogate him; He refused to answer them, and said he owned no other Judges then the whole Body of Par∣liament, together with the Pairs * 1.8, and the King there presiding.

But this appeal and all such others he made afterwards, were declared null by the Kings Council, and upon the Sollicitor Generals Petition it was order'd, that he should answer or that he should be held as fully Convict, and that in the mean time the Witnesses should be re-examined, whereupon he demanded Councel, they assigned him two Advocates of Paris, Peter Robert and Francis de Marillac. He was afterwards confronted with Witnesses which were brought in from all Parts; and then saw himself in most eminent danger. But the Queen Mother found her Authority in no less hazard: for the Guises who thought themselves al∣ready above all by the approaching ruine of their Enemy, began to slight and des∣pise her of whom they stood no longer in need.

Grollot being Condemned to die, his Sentence was looked upon by all Men, as a prejudication and fore-runner of the Princes. Now upon the Seventeenth of November the King being ahunting, that he might not be present at the Execu∣tion of this unhappy man, was seized with a heaviness in his head, which in some dayes turned to an imposthume voiding it self by his Ear. The first Five or Six dayes the Distemper did not appear so dangerous in the mean time they carried on the Process against the Prince, with so much hast and precipitation, that stepping over many formalities, they Condemned him to loose his Head. The Sentence was signed by the greatest part of the Councellors of State and Men of the Robe, excepting the Chancellor, and the President Guillard de Mortier, who

observing the encrease of the Kings malady, were so crafty as to spin out the [Year of our Lord 1560] time and deferr it. Amongst all the Knights of the Order and the Lords, so much were they devoted to the Guises, there was not one but the Count de San∣cerre who refused it, notwithstanding three express Orders from the King.

At the same time this terrible Sentence was forging, the Physitians, who in the case of Persons of so eminent a quality, never give their Judgment clearly till the extremity, declared that the King was very near his end. Then did the Guises do their utmost to oblige the Queen to have the King of Navarre secured like∣wise: but she having taken advice of the Chancellor, could not resolve to give her consent. That prudent Minister made her very sensible how the detention of those two Princes would necessarily leave and confirm all the Authority in the hands of the Guises, whereas she ought to get it all to her self, and over-rule both Parties, by keeping them in equal balance.

And indeed both of them dreading her became her suppliants, the Princes for their Lives, which she had at her disposal, the Guises for their Grandeur which she could soon pull down with the assistance of the Princes, and submitted themselves to such Conditions as she pleased. Anthony promised under his hand to yield the Regency to her, which belonged to him as first Prince of the Blood, reserving on∣ly the Title of Lieutenant General; and the Guises swore to serve her for and against all.

Things being in this posture, the King gave up his last gasp of breath the Fifth day of December. He was Aged Sixteen years, ten Months and a half, of which he had Reigned only one year and five Months, wanting five dayes. He had no Child by Mary Stuart his Wife, who the year following returned into her King∣dom of Scotland.

His Servants, because of the Innocency of his manners and disposition, called him The King without Vice, a Title much more glorious then any other can be be∣stowed, when it hath for it's Foundation not the imbecillity of mind and under∣standing, but Wisdom and Vertue.

His death hapning favourably for the Princes and for the Montmorancies, gave an occasion to their Enemies to say it had been hastned by Ambrose Paré his Chyrur∣geon, who was a Creature of the Constables, and had injected Poison into his Ear. Others, but a long while afterwards, observing the perverse ambition, and the Conduct of Queen Catherine de Medicis, suspected her as guilty of that Crime, as well as of the death of the Daufin* 1.9 Francis his Brother in Law, and of Charles IX. his second Son. Those that judged with more modesty, found the cause to be in himself, and said that having been generated of corrupt blood, his Mother conceiving him after ten years sterility, which proceeded from a suppression of ... he had ever been indisposed, especially in his Head, which did at no time discharge it self by the ordinary Channels, so that the pituitous matter corrupting there, caused that Imposthumation whereof he died.

All the Court Grandees were so busie about the contriving of their own Affairs, that neither his Mother, nor his Uncle took any care for his Funeral. Of so ma∣ny Lords, and so many Bishops as were then at Orleans, there were none but San∣sac and la Brosse who had been his Governors, and Lewis Guillard Bishop of Sen∣lis (who was blind) that conducted his Corps to Saint Denis. His Heart was left to the Church named Saincte Croix at Orleans.

The Guises excused their not attending it upon the necessity there was for them to stay with their Niece to comfort her.

But they were not exempted from reproach, such as had more sence of Ho∣nour then Ambition, much blamed them for not paying that little devoir to him from whom they had received so much honour. And indeed, some body tack'd a Paper upon the Pall that cover'd his Coffin, wherein were these words, Taneguy du Chastel, where art thou? This Taneguy, as was well known, tho banished from Court during the Reign of Charles VII. his Master, came generously back again thither to make a Funeral for that King at his own charges, shewing his grati∣tude thereby and making it appear to all the World that his thankfulness for the favours he had received, were above his fear of the resentments of Lewis XI. a mor∣tal Enemy to the memory and Servants of his own Father.

The Constable who had been sent for several times, but crept along slowly by little Journeys, having heard the tydings of the Kings death, doubled his pace, and Arrived the Eight of the Month of December at Orleans. Entring into

[Year of our Lord 1560] the City he made use of the power belonging to his Office, and commanded away the Guards that were at the Gates, threatning to send them to the Gallows if he found them any more besieging, or investing the King in that manner in a time of Peace, and in the very heart of his Kingdom.

As for the Prince, though he had free liberty as soon as ever the King expir'd, nevertheless he refused to go out of Prison, till he knew who were the prosecu∣tors against him and who his accusers. There were none durst undertake to play so desperate a Game; and the Guises replied, that all had been done by express Command of the King, but did not produce any Order by vertue whereof he had been so prosecuted. So that Thirteen dayes afterwards he came forth, and went to Ham in Picardy, attended with Honour and respect by those very men, that had served as Guards upon him in his Confinement.

CHARLES IX.

King LX.

POPES,

• PIUS IV. Five Years under this Reign.
• PIUS V. Elected the 7 January, 1566. S. 6 Years 3 Months and 24 dayes.
• GREGORY. XIII. Elected the 13. of May, 1572. S. 13. Years want∣ing one Month, whereof two years under this Reign.

[Year of our Lord 1560. in December.] THose hopes many had conceived that King Francis II. being near the time of his compleat Majority, might possibly extinguish, all the Fa∣ctions, were now by his death changed into a just fear of finding them rather more enflamed, and heightned from a Sedition to a Bloody War; wherefore the Tumults increasing every day, they made hast to Assemble the Estates, from whom the silly vulgar expect a redress of all their grievances and troubles.

The first Session was held the Thirteenth of December in a great Timber Hall expresly built in the place called l'Estape. The Chancellor begun it with a Speech becoming his gravity. He blamed the violent proceedings in matters of Reli∣gion, told them the only means to reclaim such as went astray, was a good exemplary Life, and sound Doctrine, exhorted them earnestly to lay aside the injurious names of Lutherans, Huguenots, Papists, and desired every one to for∣bear all hatred, and own no passion but for the publick good, in which consists the benefit of all particular Persons. There was nothing else done at this first meeting, only the three Orders were sent to confer together about their Papers and Instructions.

Some who were inspired with a bolder zeal, had a mind to confer the Regen∣cy upon the King of Navarre, but withal to leave the Education of the young King to his Mother, to set bounds to the Government, and make choice of a good Council for the management of all Affairs of State. The Queen Mother took the Allarm; caused the Kings Council to make a Decree, which forbad the Deputies to intermeddle with the Government, and made use of so many in∣trigues, that the Navarrois, a Prince very inconstant and irresolute, was perswaded to confirm what he had promised her during the Imprisonment of his Brother.

[Year of our Lord 1561] The second of January was the second Sessions of the Estates. The three Or∣ders made their Harangues: John de Lange Advocate of Bourdeaux, spake for the Third Estate, James de Silly Earl of Rochefort, for the Nobility, and John Quintin a Canon of Autun and Doctor en Decret, for the Clergy. The two first laid great stress and weight upon the Vices of the Ecclesiasticks, the cause of all the disorders; The last endeavour'd to defend them, retorted all upon the new Sec∣taries, and reflected particularly upon the Admiral, who demanded reparation.

[Year of our Lord 1561] Quintin was obliged to do it in a set Speech at the closing up of the Es∣tates.

Whatever accord there could be between the Navarrois and the Regent, yet there was danger that the Estates, if they consider'd their power, might put some Fetters upon this Woman who was a stranger, and besides they began to perceive that the Princes were forming parties, and tryed to foist in certain pro∣positions for their own interests, or concerning their private quarrels. Amongst others, the King of Navarre put them upon calling for an account of the Finan∣ces, and a particular of all the Gifts bestowed in the Reign of Henry II. himself proffering to surrender all that were given him.

This touched the Constable and the Mareschal de Saint André, more then the Guises, as having expended more in the Kings Service then they had gained. The Regent soon perceived where it pinched, and joyning them to her self upon this consideration, easily adjourned the Estates to the Month of May, and the City of Pontoise, and ordained, that she might be at less Charge and trouble to bribe them, that there should come but two Deputies from each Govern∣ment.

In the Month of February the King being come to Fountainbleau, the Prince of Con∣dé appeared there with a slender attendance, that he might give them no jealousie. The next day being admitted to the Privy-Council, and having spoken of his innocency, he asked the Chancellor whether there were any proofs against him; the Chancellor answered No, and all the Princes and Lords having testified that they were satisfied of his innocency, the King commanded him to take his Seat. The Council did after make a Decree which declared him wholly innocent, and sent him back to the Parliament of Paris to get a more Authentique one, as he did in a few days afterwards.

The courage of the Guises did not sink upon the rise of their enemies: they were supported by the Catholick Party, and the Catholicks by them. It is most cer∣tain but for them the old Religion must have given place to the new Sect. The Regent favour'd them in show, that they might not fly out to extremes. In the mean time the Navarrois desiring to enlarge his power, began a quarrel by de∣manding to have the Keys of the Kings House brought to him, not to the Duke of Guise, that honour being his due in respect of his Office of Grand-Maistre. The pretence was but slight, but the King of Navarre carried it on so high, that he was upon leaving the Court with all the Princes of the Blood and the Constable, to come to Paris and deliberate concerning the Government of the State. What did the Queen? She regains the Constable, and that he might have a plausible excuse to break their intended project, prevailed with the King to command him, in presence of the Four Secretaries of State, not to for∣sake or leave him. So that the Navarrois apprehending they might perhaps do well enough now without him, was advised to stay, and came to an agreement with the Queen, who augmented his power of Lieutenancy.

From that time the Constable began to fall off from the Princes of the Blood. The same proposition concerning the repetition of gifts, being renew'd in the particular Estates of Paris, he was made believe it was chiefly aimed at him, be∣cause he had in truth received an Hundred Thousand Crowns under Henry II. whereof he had given no account. To the apprehension he was under of being obliged to repay this Sum, were joyned the several exhortations of his Wife, the Dutchess of Valentinois, Honorat de Savoy Count de Villars his Brother in Law, his Son Henry Lord of Danville; all which under the specious pretence of pre∣serving the Catholick Religion, persuaded him to enter into a League with the Duke of Guise and the Mareschal de Saint André; the remonstrances of the Prince, the Coligny's his Nephews, and his Son the Mareschal, esteemed one of the wisest Lords in the Kingdom, were not so prevalent as to hinder it. The Huguenots named this Union the Triumvirat.

These Brouilleries had hitherto retarded the Kings Coronation. When these three Lords were thus united, they carried him to Reims, where he received the Crown the fifteenth day of May from the hands of the Cardinal de Lorrain Arch-Bishop of that See. The Duke of Guise, pursuant to the ancient Order of the Kingdom, which gives place according to the dignity of their Lands, or antiqui∣ty of Peerage * 1.10, not according to their birth, did there precede the Duke of Montpensier a Prince of the Blood; the Queen-Regent having so adjudged it,

though on the other hand she would have Alexander* 1.11 Monsieur her second Son, [Year of our Lord 1561] precede the King of Navarre, who had a more eminent Title: which was not so practised at the Coronation of Francis II.

It had been agreed by the Treaty of the general Peace, that within three years, the right of the Kings pretensions to the Territories of the Duke of Sa∣voy, should be Examined and settled by Commissioners on either part. King Francis II. and the Duke had named Deputies for that end in the year 1560. An∣thony Seguier President in Parliament, and Anthony de Chandon Master of Requests, who were for the King, made Six Demands. 1. The County of Nice, which they said was a Member of the County of Provence. 2. The Cities of Turin, Cony, Montdevis, Albe, Querasque, and Savillan. 3. The County of Ast which had been given in Dower to Valentine de Milan, Wife of the Duke of Orleans. 4. The Dependancies of the Marquiss de Salusses specified in an Arrest, or Decree of Parliament in the year 1390. 5. Homage of that Duke for what he held in Daufiné, on this side Guyer le Vif and elsewhere, in Focygny, and in Genevois; and the inheritance of Louisa Mother of Francis I.

They produced their Titles, and their Pleas; the Deputies for the Duke their exceptions and their answers: but seeing on either side they acted rather as Advocates then Judges, they could not agree upon any thing, and made their re∣ports severally, and diversly.

The Duke could not therefore obtain any thing till the year following, when he was so earnest with the King, that by Letters Patents of the eight of August, he commanded that they should restore to him, Turin, Chivas, Quiers and Villa-Nuova d'Ast, excepting only the Ammunitions and Artillery, in exchange for Pignerol, Savillan, and* 1.12 Perouse with all the Lands within their Limits. Imbert de la Pla∣tiere Bourdillon, the Kings Lieutenant beyond the Alpes, started many difficulties, sent warm Remonstrances to the Council to prevent the Execution of that Order, and would not obey till after three express Commands, and upon the most solemn and authentick discharges that could be imagined. Which yet would have avail∣ed but little, if the Dukes had not paid all the Arrears that were due to the French Garrisons in the said places, and had not moreover lent a Hundred Thou∣sand Crowns to the King.

The Ambiguous conduct of the Regent fomented the Troubles. On the one side she feigned to give a favourable ear to the Huguenots, for she permitted John de Montluc Bishop of Valence, and Peter du Vall Bishop of Sées, to Preach even in the Kings Family, such Doctrine as was very much like theirs; She wrote a long Epistle to the Pope, wherein she said that till there were a Gene∣ral Council, they might safely be admitted to the Communion of the Roman Church, since they held or taught nothing contrary to Holy Scripture, or the seven first Oecumenical Councils, She set forth an Edict which commanded all men to leave them in peace, and released from Prison, and call'd home from Banishment all such as had been prosecuted upon that single account. (This was the first they ever had in their favour;) and on the other side she incited the Constable to complain aloud and openly of these things thus done to the preju∣dice of the Roman Church.

Honour would not allow the Constable to joyn himself openly with the Duke of Guise, whilst the Prince of Condé continued to be his Enemy; wherefore he begg'd the Queen to make an accommodation between them. Both of them being therefore commanded to come into the presence of the King, the Princes, Cardinals, and great Officers, the Duke of Guise Addressing his Speech to the Prince, assu∣red him he had no way contributed to his imprisonment: the Prince replied, he held him for a Rascal and a Traitor whoever were the Author of it; the Duke answer'd he believed so to, and that this did no way concern him. This past, the King Commanded them to embrace, and promise each other a sincere and cordial amity. An instrument hereof was drawn up in writing which was signed by the two Secretaries of State.

The Parliament was in such a heat against the Edict the Queen had obtained in favour of the Huguenots, because they had sent it only to the Presidials and not to them, that they made a Decree quite contrary: Whereupon the King made another in July referring the Cognizance of all Crimes of Sedition and unlawful Assemblies to the Presidial Courts, and those of Heresie to the Judges Ecclesiasti∣cal, by whom the Parties convict should be delivered up to the Secular Power; who should not however condemn them to any thing above banishment.

[Year of our Lord 1561] They had often discoursed of a National Council: till that could be called, it was thought convenient to have a Colloquy or Conference, between the Ca∣tholick Priests and the Huguenot Ministers. The Cardinal de Lorrain was one of the chief Promoters, whether to hinder the National Council which did not at all please the Court of Rome, or to make ostentation of his learning and eloquence. The Ministers did likewise promise much advantage to themselves: for by this means they were made equal with Bishops, whereas in a Council they could have had no place. Besides they thought themselves able enough to throw Dust in the Catholicks Eyes: and they reckon'd they must needs have the better of it, seeing the two Bishops of Sées and of Valence, who were of the most knowing Prelates, leaned towards them.

[Year of our Lord 1561. in May.] In the interim, the Assembly of the States which had been adjourned to Pontoise in May, began to fall to work. Whatever the Regents Emissaries had been able to do, there was yet so much of the ancient French spirit left in the heads of the Deputies, as would not suffer them to let a Woman have the Regency: the King of Navarre was forced to go thither himself to let them know he had yield∣ed up his right, and together with the Mareschal de Montmorency Governor of the Isle of France, intreat them, they would speak no more of it. This was not sufficient, but for fear they should bring it again upon the Stage, it was judged ne∣cessary to dismiss the Assembly till the Month of August, and to appoint it might be held at Saint Germain en Laye, where they did meet.

The King was present there sitting on his Throne, the Queen-Mother at his left hand with her Daughter Margaret, and somewhat lower the King of Na∣varre, the Cardinal de Bourbon and the Prince of Condé; before these on the right hand were the Constable, on the left the Chancellor, the Duke of Guise as grand Chamberlain, lay at the Kings Feet. The Cardinals pretended to take place be∣fore the Princes of the Blood, and had often had it in other Assemblies: but it was now judged otherwise in favour of those Princes. The Cardinals de Chastil∣lon and d'Armagnac did acquiesce: and the old Cardinal de Bourbon remained there also, who having the right of birth before the Prince of Condé, had like∣wise the precedence: but the Cardinals de Tournon, de Lorrain, and de Guise, would not submit to it, and so withdrew.

The Admiral being the person that had persuaded the King of Navarre and the Deputies of the Estates, to confirm the Regency to the Queen-Mother, She would in recompence, whilst She stood in need of him, favour the Huguenot par∣ty; and according to that Air wherewith She had inspired the Court, or to in∣timidate the Clergy and incline them to give Money, it was observed that in this Assembly every thing was turned against the whole Body of them. Those that spoke in the name of the third Estate, and the Nobility mentioned, no other thing but their irregularities and disorder, and concluded, (as the Hereticks ever do, and all such as have more Policy then Religion) not so much to re∣form them, as to retrench their vast Riches, and take away their Temporal Ju∣risdiction, and adjudg the possessions of Religious Rents to the King. They ad∣ded, that a National Council ought to be called, and in the mean time did tole∣rate the Religionaries to Preach with all freedom in such Temples, where the King should appoint, and give leave.

After these Harangues they considered and debated the propositions contained in the Deputies papers and instructions: wherein some Reglements were made by way of satisfaction. But the Regent did not forget to take those advantages which the Council of Kings is ever wont to draw from such Assemblies, that is to say, great Sums of Money. For the Clergy having a hot Allarm, gave con∣sent they should raise four Tenths in Six years, and the third Estate five Solz upon every Tierce of Wine that was carried into any Walled Town. An im∣post that hath encreased ever since that time to this very day.

The day for the Colloquy being come, there met six Cardinals, and four Bi∣shops at Poisy, with a good number of the Most Learned Theologues, amongst others Claude d'Espences and Claude de Saintes; that which made the number of these Prelates there so great, was their being sent for to advise about the place and time for a Council, and to deliberate concerning the publick Affairs of the State. Now before the Ministers were come, they had propounded several things amongst themselves in order to restore the Discipline, supposing, as it was true, that the corruptions thereof had given rise and birth to the present here∣sies: but they came to no result of any importance.

[Year of our Lord 1561] Some days afterwards ten or twelve Ministers arrived there, the most famous of them were Theodore de Beze, Augustin Marlorat, Francis Morel, who com∣piled the first Articles of their Religion, Peter Martyr and John Viret. The King and the Regent were present with the Royal Family, the Princes of the Blood, the Bishops, Cardinals, Council of State and the Grandees of the King∣dom both of the one, and the other Religion, all seated according to their Qualities and Degrees within a place enclosed with rails: the Doctors were be∣hind the Bishops upon low Forms. The Ministers would have gone within the Enclosure, but they were excluded, and remained without, and standing.

Though the Colloquy was appointed upon the Tenth of August, it did not however commence till the Fourth of September. After the Chancellor had open'd it, the Cardinal de Tournon desired since the thing was new and without a Presi∣dent, he might deliberate or consult of it with the Clergy. The Queen-Mother would not allow it, and commanded de Beze to speak: for they had resolved to treat of and handle the questions by discourses and harangues, not by argumen∣tations [month September.] and syllogismes, which suited very well with the desire the Cardinal de Lorrain and Beze had to shew their Eloquence.

We may say of de Beze on this occasion to say no worse, that he had neither the prudence, nor the moderation he ought to have shown. For upon the point touching the Holy Sacrament his zeal transported him to such expressions and discourses as horribly grated the Catholick Ears, saying that the Body of Jesus Christ was as far distant from the Eucharist, as Earth is from Heaven. The Prelates trembled with horror of the expression, the Cardinal de Tournon made a great deal of noise, and called him Blasphemer, in so much as Beze was asham'd of it, and endeavour'd to excuse himself to the Queen, and filed his rough and grating Proposition a little smoother.

It had been resolved to reduce all the dispute to two heads, the one of the true Church, the other about the Eucharist. The Sixteenth of September the Cardinal de Lorrain made a discourse as learned as it was eloquent, and full of solid reasonings both upon the one and other point; which he concluded with this, that there could be no re-union of the Sectaries with the Church, if they did not believe the reallity of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The other Prelates rising up applauded this proposition, declared they would live and dye in that belief he had explained, and besought the King and Queen to perse∣vere, and to defend it, protesting they would break off the Colloquy if the Mi∣nisters refused to yield that point.

It was continued nevertheless for sometime longer. The Four and Twentieth of September Beza strained hard to reply to the Cardinals discourse, then entred into dispute with the Catholick Doctors, as did his Companions afterwards each in his turn. Father Jacques Laynes a Spaniard, and Superiour General of the Je∣suits, whom the Cardinal de Ferrara the Popes Legat (who arrived not till a good while after this Conference was begun) had brought along with him, would not confer with the Ministers: but treated them with the epithets of Wolves, Monkeys, and Serpents, and boldly told the Queen that it did not belong to her to hold Assemblies for matters concerning Religion, especially since the Pope had convocated a Council. The disputes were not discontinued for all that till in fine the alteration having so exasperated and heated their spirits, that they were capable of nothing but downright quarrelling, they broke up the Confe∣rence the five and twentieth day of November.

[month November.] Some believed the Cardinal de Lorrain had chiefly promoted this, who ha∣ving some kind of correspondence with the Lutherans of Germany, thought to make himself head and as it were Pope of that Party opposed to the Roman Church, which however as to the exteriour differs not much; and in this prospect had promised them to engage the Ministers of France by this Colloquy, to sub∣scribe to the Ausburg Confession. And indeed towards the end of the Colloquy there came some Lutheran Ministers to Paris, and the King of Navarre overper∣suaded by the Lawyer Francis Baudouin▪ Tutor to his Bastard-Son, joyned with that Church: but seeing those of France held at too great a distance, and made the difference too wide, the Cardinal de Lorrain dispairing to bring his ends to pass, became equally an utter enemy both to the one and the other.

As in this Colloquy the Huguenots had for the first time, the liberty allowed them to dispute the controverted Articles of Religion: they thought they might have every where that of exercising it, and began to open their Temples in eve∣ry

[Year of our Lord 1561] Province. The Queen-Mother in retribution of the services paid her by the Admiral, lent him, or feigned to lend him her helping hand in many occurrences, and even sent orders to the Kings Ambassador at Rome, to be instant with the Pope and Cardinals, for obtaining the Communion in both Species, and the al∣lowance to pray to God in French; which she could not obtain, perhaps because as she demanded it openly, she obstructed it underhand.

The Triumviri could not endure the great credit the Admiral was in, and re∣tired from Court, making Religion the pretence of their discontent. The King of Spain who affected the Title of Catholick, express'd a great deal of Anger for that they favoured the Huguenots, and particularly against the King of Na∣varre, thereby to have a Salvo Conscientiae not to do him right concerning his Kingdom, and a pretence to intermeddle with the Affairs of France: to which he was invited by some of the most eminent, in whom the passion to govern and to supplant their Enemies, was more prevalent then love to their Native Country, or the honour of this State.

A short while before a Priest was taken going into Spain with a Petition to King Philip in the name of the Catholicks, together with certain very dangerous instructions; He was carried to the common Goal. The Parliament consider∣ing the quality of the persons involved in this business, durst not search too deep, but thought fit only to condemn him to make amende honorable in full Au∣dience, bare-head and his feet bare, with a Torch lighted in his hand, and to be shut up between four Walls in the Convent of the Chartreux.

Likewise a Batchellor of Sorbon named Tanquerel, having maintained some The∣sis, wherein he asserted the Pope had an absolute power over all Kings, as well in Temporals as in Spirituals, and that therefore he might depose them if they deser∣ved it: the Parliament ordained that he should make amende honorable; and be∣cause he absented himself, it was said the Beadle of the Faculty should do it for him in the School of the Sorbon before a President, two Counsellors, and the Sollicitor General, and in presence of the Dean and Doctors, who were enjoyn∣ed to be there, upon pain of forfeiting all the Priviledges to them granted by the Kings.

The Holy Fathers greatest fear was lest he should lose his Authority in France by a National Council, the interest of the King of Spain was to gain some Au∣thority by rendring himself necessary, and that of the Regent to preserve her own and encrease it. The King of Navarre shared in this with her, and there∣fore they could never well accord: but all the rest endeavoured to adjust them∣selves with that Prince. The Constable served as mediator to reconcile him with the Duke of Guise, and he to bring him to a correspondence with the Pope and the King of Spain. His Sentiments concerning Religion were a great obstru∣ction, nevertheless they had the Art to manage him so well that they brought him to their bent.

They propounded to him first, if he would repudiate Jane d'Albret his Wife, as he might lawfully do, said they, because she was an Heretick, that then he should be Married to Queen Mary Steward, who would bring him the Kingdoms of Scotland and of England, and when they found he could not resolve upon that Divorce, they gave him verbal assurances that the King of Spain would give him up the Island of Sardinia, which they described to him as a Country abound∣ing in all things of delight and use, in recompence of Navarre. This charm∣ing illusion was the bait that drew him into their snare.

[Year of our Lord 1562 January.] In the Month of January of the Year 1562. the Regent who desired to sup∣port her self by the Huguenots, got an Edict in their favour, containing amongst other things the revocation of that in July, permission for them to Preach in all parts of the Kingdom, excepting in Wall'd Cities, namely in Paris. An As∣sembly of the Notables authorized it; the Parliament of Paris verified it, not without great difficulty, and with this Clause, in consideration of the present jun∣cture of the times, but not approving of the new Religion in any manner, and till the King should otherwise ordain. The other Parliaments prescribed several modifica∣tions.

When the Triumviri had absented themselves, the Admiral appeared most pow∣erful at Court, and was effectually so for some days: but he afterwards lost himself in the Queens good opinion, by his own fault. For too much prospe∣rity having made him lay open his heart too much, he would needs make it ap∣pear to her the strength of the Huguenots was much greater then in truth they

were, demanding Temples for Two Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Congre∣gations. [Year of our Lord 1562. February.] He did it with intent to persuade her that she might find amongst them strength enough to maintain her self against all the World: She pretended to be∣lieve it, and charged him to take an account how many Men those Churches, upon occasion of necessity, could furnish her with fit to bear Arms; but they prudently denied to discover their whole strength: and in the mean time the Queen imagined he would have her depend solely upon his Credit; so that she put her self upon her Guard towards him; and resolved though she did make use of him yet, not by subjecting her self.

Now he and the Prince of Condé, observing withal a potent League was pre∣paring to attack them, believed it was lawful to joyn the German Princes to their party, since their Adversaries had taken the Spaniards into them. The Duke of Guise and the Cardinal his Brother having notice of it, labour'd with great assi∣duity to prevent such assistance: themselves went to Savern to discourse with the Duke of Virtemberg, from whom the Prince hoped to get a considerable par∣ty. They craftily feigned a great propensity to Luthers Doctrine, and made him believe that if they had but some good correspondence with the German Princes, who generally were of that Church, they would bring both the Catho∣licks and* 1.13 Zuinglians to reason, and by that means restore the Church to Unity. The Duke of Wirtemberg was cajolled with this specious pretence, and sell from the Huguenots the more readily, for that in truth the Lutherans hate them but little less then the Roman Catholicks do themselves.

* 1.14 At his return from Saverne, the Duke of Guise having sojourned some days at his Castle of Joinville, was desired by his Confederates to come speedily to Paris, because the Huguenots being countenanc'd by the Regent, the Prince of Condé, the Admiral, and their Governor the Mareschal de Montmorency, would needs be uppermost. They were permitted to Preach in the Fauxbourg Saint Merceau and in that of Saint Antoine, the Chevalier du Guet, or Captain of the Watch, had order to Guard them with his Archers, and they had disarm'd the people of Paris, for fear they should run open-Mouth upon them; which had so raised their cou∣rage, that the Priests could not carry the Holy Sacrament along the Streets without danger of an up-roar.

[month March.] About the latter end of the foregoing year there hap'ned a great Tumult in the Fauxbourg Saint Marceau, where they broke open the Church Doors of Saint Medard, pull'd down the Images, kill'd divers persons, and dragged the Priests most shamefully to Prison, because some Catholicks had abused a man, whom they sent to bid them leave off jangling their Bells, which hindred their hearing the Minister. The Parliament having taken Information upon complaint of either party, found the Huguenots guilty, and punish't their insolency with the death of two or three of them.

Now the first day of March, as the Duke of Guise was passing thorough the little Town of Vassy, it hap'ned that some quarrel arose between some that were of his Train, and the Huguenots who held their meeting in a Grange, and he going thither to pacifie them, was wounded on the Cheek with a stone. His people seeing his face all bloody, their rage grew to such a height, that they slew near threescore of them, and wounded above two hundred. This is what the Huguenots have called the Massacre of Vassy, and which in effect proved as it were the first signal to all those bloody Wars for Religion which afterwards af∣flicted this unhappy Reign, though it were a pure accident, without any design or fault in the Duke of Guise.

After he had taken with him the Cardinal his Brother in his passage by Reims, he came to Mantueil: his friends came to him in Crowds, and the Constable sent to Complement him. In the mean time the Prince of Condé was gone to Monceaux, to make Complaint to the King about the Murthers at Vassy. The Regent found her self mightily perplext, She promised the Huguenots to do them justice, wrote to the King of Navarre who was at Paris, to provide for the safety of the King and Kingdom, sent for the Duke of Guise to come to Court without any Company, and enjoyned the Mareschal de Saint André to repair to his Govern∣ment of Lyonnois. But the Navarrois sharply reproved the Huguenot Deputies who carried him the complaints from those of Vassy; the Duke of Guise replyed that he was busie and could not yet appear at Court, and the Mareschal told the Queen to her face, that in the posture things then stood, he could not abandon the Kings Person.

[Year of our Lord 1562. March.] Shortly after the Duke of Guise came to Paris attended by a Thousand or Twelve Hundred Horse. His Enemies would have made it a Crime de Laesae Ma∣jestatis for having Marched in by the Gate Saint Denis, thorough which the Kings make usually their Entry, as likewise because the Prevost des Marchands, and the Eschevins who went out to meet him made him a Speech, and the People made loud Shouts and Acclamations as to the King.

It is not credible the Queen had any suspition that the Duke aimed at the Crown: but she imagined that he and his Confederates intended to snatch the Government out of her hands. This apprehension putting her into extream trouble, she had recourse to the Prince of Condé, who was retired to his House, and wrote several Letters to recommend her Son to him, as likewise the King∣dome, and her self with expressions so affectionate and so full of Compassion, hint∣ing that the Confederates kept her in Captivity, as gave him just cause to arm himself, though he had not had the least inclination to it.

Their principal aim was to bring the King back to Paris, that they might have him entirely at their devotion. The Prevost des Marchands who was for them, came to Melun to request it of the Queen, and demand the Parisians might have their Armes again restored, to defend themselves against the Huguenots. The last particular was granted, and the other was promised in time convenient; mean while the Confederates so contrived it that the Commission for the Go∣vernment of Paris was given to the Cardinal de Bourbon, the Mareschal de Mont∣morency being suspected by them.

When the Parisians had recover'd their Armes again, the Prince of Condé was the weaker and durst not Challenge the upper hand, or dispute the Wall with the Triumvirs: but to salve these sores, a Composition was made by means of the Cardinal his Brother: That the Heads of both Parties should leave the Town at the same time. He therefore retired to his House de la Ferté-Aucou near M••aux, and the Duke of Guise went to Fountainbleau where the King was, carrying so great a Convoy along with him, that he made the Queen quickly sen∣sible his Forces were much more numerous then the Princes.

She was gone thither, amidst her irresolution which she ought to chuse, either to cast her self into the Arms of the Prince and follow him to Orleans, for he was to be there upon her first notice, or to suffer her self to be carried to Paris by the Confederates. Either of these made her a Captive, the first was the more odious, because of the great peril she would have put the Catholick Religion into, and the latter appeared to her the more dangerous.

[month March.] She would willingly have been in a Capacity of keeping them in equal balance on both hands, and for that purpose had sent for the Prince, who having gotten his friends together; was Travelling towards her and had passed over the River at Saint Cloud. His approach put the Parisians in Arms, as if they might have been besieged by a handful of Men, and gave occasion to the Confederates to let the Queen know it was necessary to remove the King to Paris, lest he should fall into the Huguenots hands. The King of Navarre carried her this unwelcome Message, and she seeming to hesitate, he told her plainly that if she were not pleased to go along with them, she might stay behind. She had not leasure to consider upon it, but must follow or else loose the Party: for at the same mo∣ment they carried the weeping King to Melun, the next day to Bois de Vincennes, and then to Paris.

Thus were all Addresses from that Queen fruitless, and all the prudent Coun∣sels of the Chancellor de l'Hospital, which tended but to prevent a Civil War, that he foresaw would be inevitable as soon as ever the King was in the hands of either Party.

[Year of our Lord 1562. April.] In effect, the Prince of Condé, partly out of spight and revenge for having been deluded by a Woman, (for so he guessed it,) partly anger to see his Ene∣mies Masters of the Kings Person, and fear likewise of being left to their Mercy, or suffer the zeal of his Friends and the Huguenot Party to grow cold, ran post hast with two thousand Horse to Orleans, where Dandelot had slily seized upon one of the Gates the day before, which was the first of April.

This was as it were the place of Armes and Capital Seat of all his Party. Now to keep them in Unity and under good Discipline, the only bonds necessa∣ry to all establishments, he took an Oath from all that were there; That they would remain united for the defence of the Kings Person, and of the Queens, for the reformation and the benefit of the State; That they should lead a Life with∣out

reproach and Christian-like observe the Laws of the Land and Military [Year of our Lord 1562] Rules, and should take care to provide Ministers to Preach the word of God to them; That they should own him for their Head, should obey all his Orders, serve him with their Persons, and should furnish him with Armes and Money.

He afterwards wrote to all the German Princes, setting forth the cause of his taking up Arms, and then sent the Queen Mothers Original Letters, to perswade them thereby to send him some Assistance, and lend a friendly and helping hand to redeem both the King and her from their Captivity. At the same time he published a Manifesto to all the Kingdom to the same purpose, and some dayes after sent after it the Copy, whether real, or supposed, of a League made between the Pope, the King of Spain, and the Guises, to exterminate all the Sectaries of the new Religion.

[month April.] This was a strong motive to draw those Princes to his side who made professi∣on of it, and to retain and bind fast to him the Huguenots of France: for the Kings Council, thinking to dis-unite, or lull them asleep by a deceitful security, put out a Declaration upon the very same day directed only to their Bailiffs and their Lieutenants, which confirmed the Edict of January, granted Indemnity for all that was past, forbid the molesting or doing them any injury for matters of Religion, and gave them the Liberty of exercising the same in all places, excepting within the City and Suburbs of Paris.

When the Prince had declar'd himself, the Officers that took his part, and the Huguenots of themselves, seized upon several Cities, as Mans, Angers, Vendosme, la Charité upon the Loire, Angoulesme, Lyons, Valence, Romans, and almost all those in Daufiné, a great number of those in Guyenne, and Languedoc: In Nor∣mandy, upon Rouen, Caen, Dieppe, Havre de Grace, Bayeux, Saint Lo, Vire, Falaise, and many others. Matignon the Kings Lieutenant in that Province under the Duke of Bouillon who was Governor, saved Granville and Cherbourg. This was a signal Service, for those Ports would have given an easie entrance to the Eng∣lish.

* 1.15 Wherever the Huguenots were Masters, they utterly abolished the exercise of the Catholick Religion, overturn'd the Altars, broke the Images in pieces, burn∣ed the Reliques, and cast the ashes into the Air, Tormented and Massacred the Monks and Priests, not observing that equality and moderation herein, which they expected should be measured to themselves, but rendring their Party execra∣ble to the People by the horrible profanation of all things Sacred. The Prince neither by Intreaties, nor by Remonstrances, nor even by punishment, had pow∣er to stop their fury, which he knew must be very prejudicial to his cause. And indeed they were even with them in many Cities, where they Massacred huge numbers, as particularly at Cahors, Sens, Amiens and at Beauvais; and their pul∣ling down and plundering continuing, the Parliament by a Decree of the last of June, enjoyned all persons, to fall upon them and destroy and slay them in all places wherever they should find them, as People that were mad, and declared Enemies both to God and Man.

Though all the Kingdom were in a flame, the Chancellor a right good French∣man, endeavour'd to remedy that evil he could not prevent, and sought wayes for an Accommodation, which did not seem impossible to him, since their Forces had not yet engaged, nor any Blood as yet been drawn but what was spilt in Tu∣mults and Seditions. The Queen consider'd likewise, finding the Huguenots Ma∣sters of so many places that the Triumvirs might seize upon the rest, and so both her Son the King and she, might be wholly stripped of all: and therefore she sent the Baron de la Garde to find out the Prince, and intreat him earnestly to come to Court, assuring him that whatsoever had been done against the Prote∣stants, was much against her will, and that with his Assistance she would endeavour to repair it.

The Prince began to listen to it, and was inclined to condescend, when news was brought him, that the Huguenots coming out of Church at Sens, were all Massacred, and their Houses saccaged by the Soldiers, the fault whereof was charged upon the Cardinal de Lorrain, Archbishop of that City. The Prince having heard the particulars said to his People that they must hope for nothing now but from God and their own Courage; They then caused white Cassocks of Cloth to be made for all their Cavalry, and endeavour'd to animate and keep up their Spirits by Printing several little Books, some for their Justification, others to bespatter the House of Guise, and particularly the Cardinal de Lorrain.

[Year of our Lord 1562] Yet there were many Envoyez, and propositions sent from the one to the other. The Prince demanded the Edict of January should be observed, that there should be Justice done for such as were Massacred, and that the Triumviri should quit the Court. They to repel these Attaques, presented a Petition that there might be no other Religion in France but the Catholick; That all Servants belonging to the King, all Governors, Officers, Magistrates, &c. should make a publick Pro∣fession of it, or be deprived of their Employments. That all such as had laid vio∣lent hands on things Sacred, should be punished for their Sacriledge: That no man should bear Arms, but such as were Commissioned by the King of Navarre, upon which Conditions they offer'd to retire from Court.

[month June.] These Messages having effected nothing towards a reconciliation, the Queen would needs confer with the Prince her self, the place was assigned at Toury, where either came accompanied with about Fifty Horse, and all the necessary precauti∣ons. The King of Navarre was with the Queen. The Gentlemen belonging to them (who were kept at Eight Hundred paces distance left they should chance to quarrel) could not be restrained from running to embrace each other, weeping to express both the joy for their present meeting, and the sorrow for that fate which threatned to change this friendship into a Scene of fury, and these Salutations into the necessity of cutting suddenly one anothers Throats. In sine, the Queen could not gain her ends. The King of Navarre and the Prince picqu'd each other with reproaches, and the Conference broke off.

The Prince had a good part of the Nobles and Soldiery for him. The Con∣federates had the Parisians, the Name and Person of the King, which are neces∣sarily followed by the Great Officers and Parliament. The Six and Twentieth of June the Parliament declared all such as had seized those Cities before mention∣ed, Rebels, and guilty of Treason. However they excepted the Prince of Con∣dé, as if it must have been supposed that the Huguenots detained him by force.

The Armies on either part took the Field: and these being the one in the Country of Orleannois, the other in Dunois, the Queen made one Essay more which was like to have succeeded to the destruction of both the Factions. She proposed to the Prince, by the advice of Valence, to make the Guises and the Con∣stable quit the Court if he would lay down his Arms, and come and put himself into hers and the King of Navarres hands. The Prince running inconsiderately into this toyl, goes to the Queen at Talsy as soon as ever he heard the* 1.16 Triumviri were retired, and by a second imprudence promised to leave the Kingdom, if they returned not to Court.

The Admiral de Coligny and the other Chiefs of his Party, mightily in pain and disquiet both for him and themselves, came the next day, and made him sensible he could not in honour engage his word to the prejudice of what he had promis'd them, and was in Conscience bound to make good; and thus they obliged him to recal it at the next Conference which was held the following day, and brought him back again to his Army. Every one admiring the Queen Mother had not taken the whole Covey as she might easily have done with one fair draught of her Net; which she could not possibly have forborn had it been for her Interest so to do.

[month June and July.] The number of Cities the Huguenots had seized were too many for their For∣ces, and kept them scattered at too great a distance from each other: they soon lost most of them again together with a great many of their Men, Blois and An∣gers were forced with all the Cruelties attending the fury of a Civil War, Mans and Tours were abandoned. The Duke of Aumale who Commanded the Kings Armies in Normandy (for the Duke of Bouillon was suspected of Huguenotisme) recover'd all the places about Rouen, and the Duke of Estampes Governour of Bre∣tagne, Valongne, Vire, Saint Lo, and Bayeux. At Vire were the greatest Cruelties committed, because the Huguenots had been most cruel there.

During the Negotiations and the many difficulties there are in Cementing to∣gether the several Members of a new made Party, where most times three break off whilst they are soddering one: the heat of the Princes zealots began to grow cool. Most part came to him full of resolution, and with the hopes and expecta∣tion of being led on to Battle immediately, expecting that a few moments either would give them Victory, or a brave and glorious death: but when they found things were drawn out in Length, many desired lieve to return; so that being unable to keep them longer together there with him, he sent John de Partenay

Soubize to Lyons, John de Hangest-Yvoy to Bourges, the Count de la Rochefoucaud [Year of our Lord 1562] to Ango••lesme, Dandelot into Germany, and Briquemault to England, the two last to hasten those Supplies which had been promised him in those Countries.

[month July and August.] The Kings Army was encreased to Five and Twenty Thousand Foot, and Five Thousand Horse, they were divided in two bodies, one of them, with whom the King was in Person, commanded by the King of Navarre and the Duke of Guise, went to besiege Bourges; the other commanded by the Mareschal de Saint André, was sent to Poitiers. This last place was taken by Battery, in fewer dayes then the Soldiers had to pillage it; it was gained on the first day of August. The other was reduced by Composition the Nine and Twentieth of the same Month. They had sustained near upon a Five Weeks Siege, and might have held it lon∣ger, if Yvoy who defended it with Two Thousand Men, had not suffer'd himself to be prevailed upon either by fear, or the cajoleries and allurements of the Court. And indeed, he soon after quitted the Party and retired to his own home.

[month September.] Bourges being taken, most part of the Chief Officers were for going directly to Orleans, where they might have coop'd up the Prince, and by that means cut off the greatest head of the Faction. The Queen would not have it so, the Duke of Guise himself thought the enterprize too difficult, and favouring the Parisians in what they most desired, was of opinion they should lay Siege to Rouen. The Army Arrived there about the Twentieth of September; and just in a nick of time to hinder that Progress the Huguenots might have made with the help of the English. For on the same day a Treaty of Confederation was signed between Queen Elizabeth and them at Hampton-Court, specifying that she should furnish them with Six Thousand Men, one half to be put into Havre de Grace, which should be delivered to her, and which she should keep for the King, and was to serve for a place of retreat and refuge to the Huguenots, which in a few days after∣wards was Executed.

The Fort Saint Catherine was taken by Storm. The City maintained their Attaques with all possible Resolution. They proffer'd them such composition as was reasonable enough; and for three several times the Queen Mother hindred the Duke of Guise from giving the Assault, being perswaded by the prudent Coun sel of the Chancellor, that nothing can be more prejudicial to a Soveraign then to make Conquests upon himself, and pillage his own Cities. But when they found the Besieged did continue to reject with Stubbornness those favours and that mercy they were importuned to accept, the Kings Council gave the Duke lieve to let loose the Reynes to Victory. He therefore gave a general Assault the Five and Twentieth of October. Their resistance was not equal to their obstinacy, they abandoning all at the first Shock. The Soldiers pillaged them above eight dayes together, which proved the more cruel, because they were extreamly rich.

Montgomery, who had a Galley lying there ready upon all occasions (it was one of the Kings which hapned to put into Rouen when the Huguenots master'd the Town) soon got aboard of it with his Friends together with the English. The Slaves to whom he had promised their Liberty, rowed with such force that it slid quite over the Chain they had laid cross the River at Caudebec.

They hanged up John du Bose d'Esmandreville President of the Court of Ayd••s, two Councellors belonging to the City, Marlorat the Minister, and Eight or Ten Captains: amongst others du Cros who had been Governor of Havre de Grace, and deliver'd the place up to the English.

By way of Reprizal or Retaliation, the Prince caused the Heads of some Ca∣tholicks to be cut off that were in his Hands, amongst others John Baptist Sapin Councellor of the Parliament of Paris, and John de Troyes Abbot of Gastine, who were taken in Vendosmois, as they were on their way to Spain from the King. Giles leu Maistre first President of the Parliament, revenged the Death of Sapin who was his Nephew upon some unfortunate Huguenots that were Prisoners in Paris, whom he sent to the common Place of Execution. These retaliations had gone on to infinity, if the Captains of the Catholick Party, (who apprehen∣ded the like Reprisals, should they have fallen into the Enemies power) had not engaged their Chiefs to desist from such kind of Process, and to make good the usual Rules of War and Martial Customes, and Laws.

The Five and Twentieth of October the King of Navarre had been wounded in the Trenches, (while he was making water) by a Musquet shot in his left Shoulder. The City being taken, he would needs be carried in his Bed by his

[Year of our Lord 1562] Swiss Soldiers, to make a Triumphant entrance thorough the breach. His wound was not Mortal: but his too assiduous entertainment of the Damoiselle du Rouet, (one of those Sirenes the Regent employ'd to enchant that poor Prince withal) heated his blood too much; after which his impatience to be Cured making him venture by Boat to Paris, he was seized with a Trembling, and af∣terwards fell into a cold Sweat, the Symptomes of approaching death, as indeed it proved; for the Boat stopping at Andelis, he there resigned his last breath the Seventeenth day of November, shewing himself in this last Act, as he had done in all the other Four, wavering and irresolv'd between the Catholick Religion, and the Confession of Ausbourg: but discovering enough the bad opinion he had of the Government, by an express order he gave to fore-warn his Wife from coming to the Court, to stand well upon her Guard, and Fortifie her places.

The trouble the Prince was in for the bloody Conquest of Rouen, was yet aug∣mented by the unwelcome News brought him from Guyenne. Duras had raised Five Thousand Men for him in that Country: this Army of Fellows pickt up at random and most Robbers, living without order, were charged by Montluc and cut in pieces near the Burrough de Vere between Perigueux and Sarlat. Which brought the Prince two great dis-advantages, the one that he lost this conside∣rable Supply, the other that Montluc's Forces, having nothing else in those Parts to fear, joyned with the Kings Army some dayes before the Battel of Dreux.

There have been many Volumes Printed of all the Minute passages, in every Province, particularly in Guyenne, Languedoc, and in Daufiné, the surprising, taking and retaking of Towns, a World of little Fights and Skirmishes, the Bar∣barities and Massacres committed on both sides, the Insolencies and furious rage of the People, which, to say the truth, they were but too much and too highly provoked unto by the Huguenots in divers places. I shall therefore only observe in gross that Sommerine for the Catholick Party, made a rude War in Provence against his Father the Count de Tendes, who held with the Huguenots. That in Daufiné the Baron des Adrets having taken up Armes for these, and the Count de Suse for the other, pursued each other by turnes very close and smartly, and that the Baron made himself Terrible by his enormous Cruelties, Precipitating, Massacring, and Drowning without Faith or Compassion such as resisted him in a∣ny place; That Tavanes a zealous Catholi••k having retaken Chaalon and Mascon, preserved for a time, all Burgundy from being any further involved in the Civil War; That Normandy was all laid waste and desolate, the higher by reason of the Sieges of Rouen, and Havre, and the lower by the Count de Montgommery, and the Breton Troops which the Duke d'Estampes had brought in thither to make head against him; That Joyeuse preserved one part of Languedoc in the An∣cient Religion; That Montluc, as we may find in his Commentaries, rendred the King great Service in Guyenne, but that he exceeded the bounds even of severity it self against the Huguenots.

I shall add that their Party had the disadvantage almost every where, unless in Languedoc where they held all the best Cities, excepting Toulouze, which intend∣ing to seize upon in the Month of May, they were drove thence after an obsti∣nate Fight of many dayes, and the loss of Three Thousand of their Men, not reckoning about Two Hundred more who were dispatched to the other World by several sorts of Death and Torments; That at Lyons they defended them∣selves against Tavanes, and afterwards against the Duke of Nemours, who besieged that City the one after the other; That above Fifty Thousand of theirs were Slain, as well in Battle, as in Tumults, Seditions and Up-roars; and that where∣ever they were strongest, they broke or melted all their Shrines, Reliquaires and sacred Vessels of Gold and Silver, which the Prince Coined into Money with the Arms and Effigies of the King, and this made Money much more common in France then ever it had been known before this War.

The dread the Pope was in lest they should hold a National Council in France, obliged him to assemble the General Council of Trent. The Cardinal de Lorrain went thi∣ther this year upon the fifteenth of November with great equipage, accompanied by for∣ty Bishops and a good number of the most learned Doctors. His Holyness had some rea∣son to take the Allarm upon it: the power of this great Cardinal gave him so much jea∣lousie, that he called him the Pope on the other side the Mountains; And appre∣hended

hended he would bring the Doctors of the Ausbourg Confession into the Lists. For [Year of our Lord 1562] he had given some hints and tokens, at least in appearance, that he did not disapprove their Confession altogether, and they well knew that in his passage by Inspruc, he had conferr'd with the Emperor. So that the Pope as if he had be••n to deal with the greatest enemy of the Church, Muster'd up all his Forces, sent for all the Bishops in his own Dominions, where they are very numerous, borrowed even of his Neighbours, and pray'd the King of Spain to assist him with his to strengthen his party in the Council, that he might be able to make head against those of France and Germany.

Though Philip had lost his cause at Venice about precedency, he failed not to revive it again in the Council. Claude Ferdinand de Quinones Count de Luna his Ambas∣sador, before he would come to Trent, had demanded of the Pope what place he should have there: the Pope instead of giving a direct answer, eluded and referred the de∣cision of that right to those Legates who presided for him in the Council. The Cardinal de Gonzague, who was chief of them, found an expedient to satisfie the Spaniards, and not much prejudice the French. Which was that the Ambassador of France, should keep his place next the Emperor, and in their Congregations, he of Spain, should by pro∣vision only, have one apart by himself, either next to Ecclesiastiques, or on a Seat di∣stinct just opposite to the other Ambassadors. The Cardinal de Lorrain, out of the ap∣prehension he had lest this dispute should break up the Council, obliged Lansac the Kings Ambassador to accept of this condition, and to allow the Count should have a Seat apart near the Secretary to the Council. He took this place therefore, and having Commanded his Orator to speak, went out the first of any for fear of some dispute at the Door.

But the difficulty was not determined as to the other Assemblies, particularly the Sessi∣ons of Council, and at solemn Mass, where the Seats were not placed in the same man∣ner: so that the French demed the Spaniard the like favour there. The Legates durst not decide it of their own heads: but when they had received Orders from the Pope to give him the like rank at all ceremonies, they contrived another expedient. Ʋpon Saint Peters Day the Fathers of the Council being at Chappel, there appeared a Seat between the last Cardinal, and the first Patriarch, and the Spanish Ambassadors sate there. They had likewise given private Order to have two Censers that they might give the In∣cense to the French and him at the same time. The French would not suffer it, the Divine Service was interrupted, the Legates, the Ambassadors, and some Bishops, to prevent the scandal, endeavour'd to find a Medium which was, that they should omit the giving of Incense, &c. that day.

After this Council, the same controversie was renewed at Rome, by Lewis de Zuni∣ga Requesens Great Commander of the Order of Saint James, Ambassador of King Philip; Henry Clutin de Oysel who was so for the King, courageously maintained the right of France. The Spaniard caused divers expedients to be propounded, where∣by he aimed to preserve an equality: but they were all rejected by the French, who would not only keep his ancient place and station, but would have the Spaniard do so too, that is beneath him. So that the Pope after he had vainly sought to find out expedients, did most solemnly adjudge the precedency contended for to belong to the French, and main∣tained him in the possession of it. Which was performed on the day of Pentecost in the year 1564. Requesens having protested against this Judgment, and not appearing at the Celebration of that Festival.

[Year of our Lord 1562. November.] Notwithstanding since that time the Ambassadors of Spain have many times disputed for the Precedency with those of France, though for the most part to their own shame, as well at Rome, as in other Courts of Princes, till in our dayes, the most August King Lewis XIV. upon a contest hapned in England between his and one from Spain, ob∣liged Philip IV. expresly to renounce it by an Authentick Instrument in Writing.

The 12th of November, Dandelot Arrived at Orleans with Twelve Cornets of Reisters making Six and Twenty Hundred Horse, and Twelve Ensignes of Lans∣quenets, under them near Three Thousand Men, whom the Landegrave of Hesse had furnished him withal, and some few dayes before Duras had brought in the Remnants of the Battel de Vere.

This Crime of bringing strangers into the Kingdom, was in some sort excu∣sable in them by the example of the contrary Party, who had first caused both Horse and Foot to be raised in Germany by the Rhingrave, and Count Rocandolf who were Protestants, and had likewise called in some Spaniards, which they might very well have let alone, since there were above an hundred Catholicks in France for every Huguenot.

[Year of our Lord 1562] The Princes Army being Twelve Thousand fighting men, took the Field. Their resolution was to go directly to Paris, believing that upon the first and sudden fright they might force them before the Triumviri could return, or put the Queen in so much dread that she would be brought to a more reasonable ac∣commodation. The event made the vanity of this Design plainly appear: he could not so much as take the little Town of Corbeil; and besides when he was lodged at Arcueil and other neighbouring Villages, the Queen engaged him in divers Conferences, wherein she pretended mildly to yield to him in divers points, to hinder him from falling upon the Suburbs, till the Parisians were recover'd from their terrible consternation) and to debauch his best Officers; amongst which number was Genlis who retired to his own home, but yet remained ever a Huguenot.

When he had consider'd therefore that it was a foolish enterprize to take Paris for Corbeil, he decamped the 12th day of December, and took his March towards Normandy, to joyn with the English who were at Havre, and receive some English Money to pay his Germans ready to Mutiny. The Triumviri followed him so close that at his seventh or eighth halt, the two Armies found themselves enga∣ged to give Battel near the City of Dreux the twentieth of December.

In the beginning the Huguenots had some advantage, they defeated the main Battel of the Catholicks, took part of their Cannon, and even the Constable, be∣ing wounded with a Pistol Bullet in the Face: but they afterwards falling upon the Baggage, and their gross of Reserve which consisted of twelve hundred Rei∣stres, disbanding likewise to get their share, the Catholicks had their full re∣venge.

The Duke of Guise in appearance commanded only his Company of Gentdarmes, and a Body made up of some friends of his who were Voluntiers: and yet his desert and quality made his advice and counsel pass for Orders. The Mareschal de Saint André led the Van-Guard; the Duke who stood on a rising Ground and reserv'd himself for the Crowning of that Day, beholding the Enemies scatter'd, and scarce keeping any order, detached some parties from that Body to charge the Infantry who were defrauded of their Cavalry: then Marching himself turn∣ed upon their Horse and put them to the rout. The Prince of Condé who never gave Ground, was taken Prisoner by Danville the Constables second Son; the Reisters trotted away into a Neighbouring Wood: the Admiral joyned them with Four Hundred Horse whom he had rallied; and with these was resolved, if the Germans had but had so much courage, to have begun the Charge afresh the next day.

They Counted Eight Thousand dead upon the place, as many almost of the one party as of the other. The Field of Battel remained to the Duke of Guise, who did not judge it fitting to pursue the Admiral, but left him to make his retreat towards Orleans; whither they caused the Constable immediately to be carried fearing he might be rescued from them. In the Fight the Mareschal de Saint André (being by a great Body of Horse, made Prisoner of War while he pursued the Victory too eagerly) was kill'd with a Pistol-shot by a Cavalier na∣med Bobigny-Meziere Son of a Register belonging to Paris, whom he had used too ruggedly in some Ren-contre.

The Duke of Guise rendred all imaginable honour to the Prince of Condé, they supped and lay together with so many demonstrations of amity, that one would have guessed they had laid aside and forgotten all their quarrels to live to∣gether like Cousin-Germains* 1.17 as they were in intire confidence, as they had be∣fore done under the Reign of Henry II.

When the main Battel of the Royal Army was first defeated, there were some run-aways that rode Whip and Spur even to Paris, Proclaiming that all was lost. Of these was d'Ossun, who had acquir'd the name of brave in the Wars of Ita∣ly; and indeed the rage he fell into afterwards when he found his mistake had so betray'd his courage as to blemish the Lustre of all his former Actions, him∣self condemned himself to death, and underwent the execution of his own Sentence by an obstinate resolution never to eat or drink more.

Upon the first news the Dutchess of Guise who had a numerous Court about her, found her self abandoned in a moment; and as for the Queen without being o∣vermuch moved or concerned, She only said, well, we must then pray to God in French, & began highly to caress those that were friends to the Prince and the Novel Opi∣nions. But next day the contrary being certified by a Cloud of Eye-Witnesses, & Let∣ters

from the principal Officers, the crowd about the Dutchess of Guise was great∣er [Year of our Lord 1562] then ever, the Huguenot Cabal play'd the Diver, the Catholick one took the upper-hand and clapp'd their wings and crowed, the Queen ordered Bon-fires to be made, though with some reluctance, and gave with all the apparent willing∣ness she could counterfeit, the command of the Army to the Duke of Guise, on whom the Army themselves had already conferr'd it.

[Year of our Lord 1563. January.] In like manner the Princes Army intreated the Admiral to accept of the Office of General. When he had refreshed himself for some days at Paray, he descend∣ed into Vendosmois, and crossing the Loire at Baugency, lodged his Men in the Countries of Soulogne, and in Berry, where he knew the Duke of Guise would have Lodged his, in order to the Siege of Orleans which was resolved up∣on.

Having left his Brother Dandelot in the City with Two Thousand Soldiers, as many Inhabitants well arm'd, and a great number of Nobility, he repassed the Loire at Gergeau, and takes his way towards Normandy. In that Country he ransomed divers little Towns for Sums to entertain his Men, received the Mo∣ney from England, and Muster'd his Forces. Being invited by the Huguenots of Caen, he besieged the Castle wherein was the Duke of Elboeuf Brother of the Duke of Guise, and N. de Bailleul Renouard, whom he had taken at discretion, had not the important news from Orleans obliged him to return that way.

[Year of our Lord 1563. February and March.] The Duke of Guise had laid Siege to it the sixth day of February 1563. The Queen was at Bangency, and had shut up the Prin••e (whom she still lugg'd along with her) in the Castle of Onzain. Already the Suburbs were lost with ••ight hundred of the besieged, already the Bridge-Tower was gained; and the Hu∣guenots in such consternation they could expect no help but some sudden blow from Heaven or from Hell, when a Gentleman named John Poltrot Meré, prompted by a fatal and detestable Zeal for the defence of his Religion, watching his op∣portunity when the Duke of Guise, who had been to meet his Wife, returned to the Siege mounted upon a Mule and slenderly attended, shot him with a Pistol into the shoulder, whereof he died six days after; In so much reputation, even amongst his Enemies, as to be allowed the most generous Prince of his time, and the best head in Christendom, endued with all the heroick vertues, and scarce tainted with any vice, either as Prince, or Courtier.

The Murtherer after he had rid hard all night, thinking he was far enough from thence, found himself by day-break; at the Bridg d'Olivet * 1.18, his Horse being tyred, he went into a House to repose himself, where the same Morning he was ta∣ken by one of that Dukes Secretaries.

Interrogated what were the Motives, who the Instigators made him commit that Crime? he said, as to the first, his zeal for Religion had push'd him on to de∣stroy him whom he judg'd to be their Persecutor: touching the other point he varied much, accusing sometimes one, sometimes another: but in all his Answers and Confessions, and at his very death, he taxed the Admiral. That Lord, to little purpose, purged himself by publick Writing, and made oath he detested that Act; In vain he Petitioned the Queen by Letters, not to hasten the Exe∣cution of that Assassin, that he might be confronted with him: the House of Guise believed he was Guilty: and whether he were really so, or not, the Children of that Duke took the most bloody revenge that we read of in any History of the World.

The Admirals request to the Queen seemed reasonable enough; nevertheless Poltrot being carried to Paris the sixteenth day of March, was in few days judg∣ed, the Parliament condemned him to the same punishment as those that attempt the Sacred Person of a King; which was to have his Flesh torn off with red hot pincers, and drawn to pieces by four Wild-Horses. The same day the Duke of Guises Corps was brought to Paris, deposited at the Chartreux, from thence born to Nostre-Dame with great lamentation and the real mourning of the whole City, and then inhumed in the Sepulchre of his Fathers at Joinville. Charles Duke of Lorrain made a solemn service for him at Nancy, and the Pope another in his Chappel at Rome, with Funeral Orations, which certainly might be very noble without any mixture of Flattery.

The justice and moderation of that heroick Soul appeared yet more eminently in the last moments of his Life: for he justified himself of the Massacre of Vas∣sy, expressing a deep Sorrow that that accident should have given occasion for a

[Year of our Lord 1563] Civil War, and advised the Queen to make a Peace, telling her positively that whoever obstructed it were Enemies both to the Kingdom in general, and to the King in particular.

And indeed, while he was yet living, she had begun to Treat about it, first at Saint Mesnin with Eleonora de Roye Wife to the Prince of Condé, whom she ca∣ress'd extraordinarily, giving her even hopes that her Husband should have the Lieutenancy as the King of Navarre his Brother had before: Then with the Prince and the Constable in the Isle aux Boeufs near Orleans, to which place they both were brought under strong Guard. And as the Constable stood stiff not to allow of the Edict of January, and the Prince was as resolute on the contrary, the Queen permitted the Prince to go into Orleance to communicate with the Heads of his Party.

The Ministers insisted that at what price soever, he should maintain the Edict of January. The Officers who were weary of the War, and himself who al∣ready longed to enjoy the sweet Air of the Court, and the softer pleasures of Women, relaxed in many things, and contented themselves with a more mode∣rate Edict. It allowed such as were Lords High Justices to have a place for pub∣lick Preaching in their Territories, and to others that have mean or low Justice, to have private ones in their own Houses, only for themselves and Family, pro∣vided withal they did not dwell in Burroughs or Parishes that held of any other Justice* 1.19 but the Kings. Moreover it gave them Liberty to Preach within such jurisdiction, whence appeals may be made to the Parliament without any other Medium; as likewise in such Cities where they had enjoy'd that Liberty till the fifteenth day of March last; and together with this it also contained a general Amnisty, a discharge to the Prince for all the Royal Money he had taken, or cau∣sed to be taken, and an acknowledgment whereby the King owned that he was his faithful Kinsman and affectionate to the good of the Kingdom, and that all those that had followed him had acted nothing but with honest intentions and for his service.

The Queen did so earnestly press the conclusion of this Treaty, that it was Signed on either part the eighteenth of March before the Admiral was return'd from Normandy. He made bitter complaint to the Prince for having so ill man∣aged the interest of his Party in a juncture of time when he might have mightily improved it: but the thing was done, and those complaints served for no other purpose but to evaporate his Choller. The Edict was published in Parliament about the latter end of March. That of Toulouze delay'd till they were com∣manded more then once, and moreover constrain'd to revoke all the diffamatory Decrees they had made against the Counsellors belonging to that Body, and a∣gainst the Capitous.

The Soldiery that were at Orleans, having first celebrated their Communion in the Church called Saint Croix, Marched out of the City. They did the same in many others which they held in divers places, leaving them in a most desolate condition, having ruined their fairest Churches. Commissioners were sent into the Provinces by the King to restore the Huguenots to their own, and put the Edict in Execution: but the most part made all the difficulties in it they possibly could, excepting such as they could gain by force of presents.

If this liberty of Conscience which was allowed them, were a just cause for the Clergies complaint, an Edict made in the Month of May, at Saint Germain en laye for the Alienation of a Hundred Thousand Crowns Sol of their Revenue in fund, which was executed with great severity, made their complaints rise much higher and louder.

[Year of our Lord 1563. April, &c.] Some while after the Chancellor de l'Hospital to still their out-cries a little, granted them power to buy the same again, and caused another Edict to be pub∣lished whereby it was ordained that the Tenths should be paid to them, which without doubt proved very effectual towards the strengthning and fixing the Ca∣tholick Religion; for had the Huguenots been exempt from those payments, the [✚] greater part of those whose Estates lay in the Country, would have gone over to them that they might at once have gained the tenths of all their Estates.

The Duke of Guise being dead, and the Peace made, the Queen lived some∣what more at her ease. Nevertheless four grand Affairs did yet perplex her mind; the Princes conduct, Havre de Grace which was still in the hands of the English, the dissatisfaction of the Parliament of Paris, and the eager pursuit and sollicitation of the Dutchess of Guise and her Children to have justice done them for the death of their Father.

[Year of our Lord 1563] Whatever Artifice she could make use of it, it was impossible for her to se∣parate the Prince from the Admiral, nor to dazle him with the fine Visions of the Kingdom of Sardinia, wherewith she had enchanted the King of Navarre his Bro∣ther: but Eleonora de Roye his Wife hapning to die, she endeavoured to chain him to the Court with the Charmes of a voluptuous life, and the tempting beau∣ty of one of her Maids of Honour, who having refused nothing to serve her Mi∣stress, found her self incommoded for nine Months after, and was for a time the discourse and entertainment of the Court, where the like accidents affords matter for more sport and divertisement then scandal. The Widdow of the Mareschal de Saint André, upon another Motive, which was the hopes of Mar∣rying him, endeavour'd likewise to inspire him with love, but entertain'd in her own Breast so great a passion for him, as made her purchase her own satisfaction, at the Price of her Lands at Valery, which she bestowed upon him.

The Admiral observing that these Debaucheries, in the head of the Party, decryed even all the Party it self, and fearing withal left there should some new beauty appear whose perswasive Eloquence might prove more powerful then his Preaching Ministers, made him such earnest Remonstrances, that he obliged him to break all those Bonds and Fetters of idle and pernicious wandring loves, by tying a second time the sacred conjugal Knot, taking to his lawful Bed Fran∣ces Sister of Leonor Duke of Longueville.

Every thing was in a readiness for the recovering of Havre by force, for it was a plain case that Queen Elizabeth intended to keep it as a recompence for the loss of Calais. After she had therefore refused to surrender it, a War was declared against her by a Herauld, and the King being at Gaillion, Brisac began the Siege; the Constable and his Son the Mareschal came thither fifteen days after. The French went about it with much resolution, the Huguenots with more forwardness yet then the Catholicks, to take away that reproach laid at their doors of having introduced those Forraigners into the Kingdom.

Ambrose Earl of Warwick was Governor there with a Garrison of Four Thousand Men. The assailants press'd hard upon them from without, and the Plague made so rude a War and such havock amongst them within, as kill'd forty or fifty of them every day, and had cast down above two thousand on the Bed of Sickness, and of sorrow for being now useless: but that which amazed [Year of our Lord 1563. in July.] them more then all this, was to find that even the Huguenots whom their Queen had so much assisted were become their roughest Enemies. These considerations forced them to surrender the place the twenty seventh of July, with all the Artillery and Ammunitions belonging to the King, and all the Ships and Goods belonging to the French. The next day there appeared a Supply of Eighteen Hundred Men within sight of the Port, which in few days had been seconded with a Na∣vy of Threescore great Ships Commanded by Admiral Clinton: but finding the Capitulation concluded he returned again.

[☞] The English revenged themselves for this loss upon the Merchants Ships. That was all they could do, as being unable to commit further mischief upon France after the loss of Calais, but only to turn Pirates. They continued this War at Sea for some Months: after which they consented to a Truce, which was con∣verted into a Treaty of Peace the ninth of April in the year 1564. wherein it was said that either of them should preserve their rights and pretensions. This was to be understood with respect to the English, as to the City of Calais, which King Henry II. by a Treaty made in Anno 1559. was obliged to restore within eight years, during which time nothing was to be attempted on either part. Now the French pretended the English had violated this condition, and had there∣fore forfeited their right as to the recovery of Calais.

During this Siege King Charles entred upon his fourteenth year. The De∣claration of King Charles the wise, which perhaps was never well understood, will that the King be declared in Majority at fourteen years; and it was the Queens intent to do it at the soonest, thereby to arrogate to her self the whole authority under the name of the King, and exclude the Prince and the Constable. Now by common right the age of majorities ought to be full and compleat. The Chancellor de l'Hospital, the Queens only Council in these matters, per∣swaded her there was no necessity to wait the plenitude of fourteen years, and said that in a favourable account, the year commenced was reck'ned compleat: but whether he suspected the Parliament of Paris would not be of that sentiment because they might justly doubt whether it would be favourable or prejudicial to

[Year of our Lord 1563] the Kingdom, or apprehended that Senate would set up a Council for this King as they had done for Charles VI. he was of opinion they should carry him to the Parliament of Rouen to pass this Act.

[month September.] The King sitting therefore in his Seat of Justice, was there declared Major the Fourteenth of the Month of August; and at the same time he caused them to pass an Edict, which was after verified in all the other Parliaments, ordaining that the Edict he had made for Liberty of Conscience, should be observed till such time as the Questions should be decided by a Council, or else by him should otherwise be ordained; That whosoever should violate the same should be Treated as a Rebel; That all Persons should lay down their Arms, and renounce all Leagues and Communication with Strangers.

The Edict of the Kings Majority was not Registred in the Parliament of Paris but with great difficulty. They sent to make great Remonstrances to the King by their First President accompanied by two more of their Members; He repre∣sented it was contrary to the Custome of the Kingdom to carry any Edict to ano∣ther Parliament before it was passed in that of Paris, which represented the Estates General, which is the Court of Paris, the most August Throne of their Kings, the true Parliament of the Kingdom, whereof the rest are all but little Sprouts. The King whose countenance and voice they had composed to a studied Severity, answer'd them, that they were to obey, that they should meddle no more with publick Affairs, and that they should lay aside that old and vulgar Er∣ror, That they were the Tutors, or Guardians of their Kings, defenders of the King∣dome, and keepers of the City of Paris. The Deputies having made their Report to the Court, they were equally divided; Peter Signier President in the Grand Chambre, and Dormy President aux Enquestes, carried their Division, to the King, who ordered that the Edict should be Published and Registred without delay, and that all the Presidents and Councellours should be present upon pain of Inter∣diction.

The King would not return to Paris till the Parliament had obey'd. The Mo∣ther, the Widdow and the Children of the Duke of Guise with a great train of Mourners, came to him at the same time to demand Justice upon the Authors of the cruel Murther of that Prince; It was well enough known they pointed at the Admiral. Some time before the Prince of Condé, and the Mareschal de Montmo∣rency had declared they would maintain his Innocency with and against all; and because he had some suspition of the Parliament of Paris, the King had taken the business upon himself, and then referr'd it to the Grand Council, whence he had withdrawn it again to bring it before the Parliament. It was not possible to go thorough with it without raising a Civil War again: and therefore they found it expedient to suspend the prosecution for three years.

Before the Peace, the People of Toulouze had Mutinied against the Parliament upon occasion of some wall which they were making to enclose the Palace. Their thundring Decrees could not stop the Insolency of those whom themselves had nursed up in Blood and Licentiousness, by letting loose their rage against the Huguenots. Divers of their Members ran great hazard of their Lives in those furious Tumults; which afforded a specious pretence to the Cardinals d'Armag∣nac and de Strossy, to Teraide, Negrep••lisse, and Fourquevaux to make a League, by which they were engaged amongst themselves, (after they had Communicated the thing to the Lord de Joyeuse) to stand united for the defence of the Religi∣on of their Ancestors, against all Rebels, Sectaries, disturbers of the publick qui∣et, and that in each Seneschauss••é; (or Jurisdiction of a Seneschal) they should take an Account of what Arms there were, and how many fit to bear them. The Articles were drawn with consent of the Solicitor-General, and by a Decree [month December.] made, the Chambers being Assembled, entred into the Register of the Court, but yet with this Clause, according to the good pleasure of the King.

This was in my opinion the first League that was openly made amongst the Kings Subjects for the business of Religion. By this example divers others were formed in several Provinces; and out of all these at least from the disposition this Imprinted in the minds of the People, that great League was framed which gave Henry III. his death, and infinite troubles to his Successors.

During this apparent calm, the Chancellor labour'd in contriving most excel∣lent Reglements for Polity and Justice. All Curates were declared exempt from Lodging and Providing, or quartering of Soldiers. There was an Edict that such as were Plaintiffs in Law, should lay down a certain Sum before they

were admitted to plead: but the Parliament made great opposition, and, in fine, [Year of our Lord 1563] whether it were that this Tax hindred Law-Suits and Process, or whether on the contrary they thought it scandalous and unjust in the King to turn the Obli∣gation he had to do Justice freely, into a toll: this Edict was abolished by Non∣usage, though it were never repealed.

Another in the Month of December established a Court of Judicature for Mer∣chants, composed of one Judge and four Consuls, who were chosen out of a Hundred Citizens called together by the Prevost des Marchands, and the Esche∣vins, to determine upon the place (and without any formal and tedious proceed∣ings) all disputes or demands concerning Trade and Commerce, to the value of Five Hundred Livers absolutely and Soveraignly, and above the said Sum by way of Provision upon giving Security; The Appeal to be made to the Parlia∣ment. After this Example of Paris, Ten or Twelve of the chiefest Cities in the Kingdom would needs have the like Jurisdiction, and found it to be very good and useful. In effect, if there were one in every City, and the Soveraignty of their Power extended to give Judgment as far as a Thousand Crowns, it would prevent frauds, dry up deceit at the Root, and rid them of all those paltry Split∣ters of causes, who long so much to have a finger in the rich Merchants purse and to taste of that fruit of Trade.

[month December.] The Fourth of December, the Council of Trent was closed, where the Cardinal de Lorraine, who Composed and Sung their Acclamations, (though according to ancient Custome, it was rather the Office of a Deacon then of a great Arch∣bishop) seemed not to have regarded the Honour of France as he ought, foras∣much as I know not upon what considerations, he named only the Emperour in particular, and in gross the Christian Kings and Princes, although in the Address of the Bulls for convocation, the King of France was by name express'd as well as the Emperor.

The one and Thirtieth of the same Month, which was the last day of the Year, was so likewise of the Mareschal de Brissac, one of the greatest Warriours of his Age.

[Year of our Lord 1564] In another Edict given the year after at Paris, amongst many Rules contained therein to prevent delayes in Suits of Law and reform their Decrees and Judg∣ments, it was ordained that the year, which till that time in all Civil Affairs had still taken its beginning at Easter, should from thenceforward be chang∣ed and begin upon the first day of January according to the usage in the Church.

This was observed the following year in the Kings Council and the Chambre des Comptes: but the Parliament, which is as it were Guardian of the Ancient Or∣ders of the Kingdom, opposed it, and could not be perswaded to follow this Re∣formation till after the Assembly at Moulins, to wit, in the year 1567.

By vertue of an Edict given at the Instance of the Queen at Saint Maur des Fossez, bearing that the void places in the City of Paris, namely that of the Palace des Tournelles, should be sold for the benefit of the King. She caused that Palace to be pulled down together with that of Angoulesme very near the other, under colour of abolishing the very Memory of that fatal place where her Hus∣band was wounded to death: but in truth to avoid, I do not know what sinister accident, with which she seemed to be threatned there. She gave part of it to the publick for a Horse-Market, and sold the remainder to private Persons to build Houses: and then began to Erect the Palace of Tuilleries.

Although the Factions seemed to lye asleep, notwithstanding the Heads of both Parties, turned every Stone under-hand to keep their Friends firm to them, to maintain the Zeal and Courage of their Parties, and to strengthen themselves with Forreign assistance. The King of Spain was privately courted by several of the Catholick Chiefs, who were very willing thereby to support themselves, that he should have some hand in the management of the Affairs of France. Upon their Solicitations he sent a Solemn Embassy to the King, amongst whom were likewise Deputies from the Duke of Savoy, and the Duke of Lorraine: to per∣swade him to depute some in his behalf at Nancy, where the Assembly of Christi∣an Princes was assigned to consult about the most necessary means and wayes to make the Council of Trent to be received, and owned, and to extirpate all Here∣sies out of Christendom: but the Queen Mother who foresaw the consequences of this demand, illuded it by many delayes, and sent the Ambassadors back again with an ambiguous and indeterminate answer.

[Year of our Lord 1564. June, &c.] Upon this occasion Master Charles du Moulin, the most profound of all the French Lawyers, put forth a Consultation, wherein he undertook to prove that the said Council was Null and Vicious in all its parts, contrary to the Ancient Decrees, prejudicial to the dignity of the Crown, and the Liberties of the Galli∣can Church. The zealous Catholicks would not let this attempt, of so profane a Fellow, escape unpunished, but having accused him in Parliament of dangerous opinions and sentiments concerning matters of Faith, got him confined to a Pri∣son: but the King by a Decree of Council set him at Liberty, with an injunction to write no more without his express Order and Permission, and forbid the Parlia∣ment to take any Cognisance of this matter.

The Five and Twentieth of July, the Feast day of the Apostle Saint James the great,* 1.20 the Emperor Ferdinand I. Brother of Charles V. died at Vienne of a lingring Fea∣ver, attended with a Dropsie: He had lived Sixty one years, and governed the Empire Seven yeaers. Maximilian his Eldest Son, who was already King of the Romans, suc∣ceeded him.

[month July.] The whole Kingdom was full of Factions, and Tumults: from all quarters complaints were brought to the King of the one and the other Party. The Queen Mother desiring to know the Strength of the Huguenots, and the different dispositions of Mens minds, or having some more secret design under deck, thought good to take a Progress with the whole Court to every City in the King∣dome, taking along with her the King, Alexander* 1.21 Monsieur the Elder of his Bro∣thers, and leaving Hercules the youngest at Bois de Vincennes. The Prince of Con∣dé had retired himself to his House de Valery.

[Year of our Lord 1564. and 65.] The Court began their promenade about the end of Winter, visited Champagne, Barrois, Bourgongne, Lyonnois, Provence, Languedoc, Guyenne, making solemn En∣tries in all the great Cities, and arrived at Bayonne the Tenth day of June of the following year 1565.

[Year of our Lord 1565] During the Kings absence, a controversie between the Cardinal de Lorraine and the Mareschal de Montmorency Governor of Paris and the Isle of France, was very near breaking out into another War. The King had forbid all his Subjects wear∣ing of any Arms, the Cardinal notwithstanding had a Licence under the Great Seal, to have a Guard that might bear them. The Mareschal knew it well e∣nough, but he expected the Cardinal should send to Compliment him upon it, and the Cardinal pretended that it belonged to the Mareschal to pay him that Ci∣vility. Now when upon his return from the Council of Trent the Cardinal would have passed thorough Paris with the Duke of Aumale his Brother, and the Duke of Guise his Nephew, the Mareschal de Montmorency knowing he drew near the City, sent to Command him by a Prevost des Mareschaux, to make his men give up their Arms; the Cardinal went on, the Mareschal well Accompanied goes to meet him, charged him in the Street Saint Denis. (The Duke d'Aumale was gone by Saint Martins Gate.) The Cardinals People were scatter'd here and there, and he escaped into a Shop with his Nephew. At Night they went all to the Ho∣stel de Clugny, which was the Cardinals House.

The next day the Mareschal passed and repassed in a bravado before his Door. The City of Paris being just on the point to rise: the Prevost des Marchands, on behalf of the Parliament, endeavour'd to find out some means for an Accom∣modation between them. He prevail'd with the Cardinal to go out of Town, and with the Mareschal to permit that Princes Guard to wear their Arms, ac∣cording to the Kings Licence, a Copy whereof he shewed. The Duke d'Au∣male, nevertheless hovering about Paris with a numerous Train of Friends whom he had called to him, the Admiral was likewise sent for by the Mareschal his Cousin, and brought a Thousand or Twelve Hundred Gentlemen along with him; and thus both Parties being in Armes, it was feared every Moment they would charge each other: but the King having heard the Complaints of both sides, sent a Command they should lay down their Armes, to which they obey'd.

The Queen Mother being so nigh the Frontiers of Spain, desired to see her Daughter Isabella* 1.22 de la Paix, Wife of King Philip II. The King sent his Bro∣ther the Duke of Anjou to meet her, who being attended with the Flower of the French Court, passed over the River Marquere, which is beyond Saint John de Pied de Port, and parts the two Kingdomes, met the Queen at Arvanis, and

accompanied her to Saint Sebastians, where Ferdinand Alvara de Toledo Duke d' [Year of our Lord 1565] Alva came and waited on her with a great Attendance.

He brought the Order of the Golden Fleece for the King: who went to re∣ceive his Sister at the Banks of the River Bidasso, and there gave his hand to help her out of the Boat. The Queen Mother had past over the River, whe∣ther so agreed upon, or impatient to embrace her Daughter, whom they set up∣on a Palfrey, Monsieur, and the Cardinal de Bourbon walking on each side, and so led her to Bayonne where she remained about Three weeks with her Mother.

During that time, all what the Luxury and Pomp of the Court of France, which surpasses all others in those profusions, could invent and contrive for Balets, Feastings, Carousels and Bravery, were employed to let them see theirs was as stately and proud, and much more ingenious then that of Spain. The Queen Mother would have had it thought this residence of the Court at Bayonne was on∣ly to divert her Daughter: but her design was quite another thing; For under pretence of going to visit her by means of a close Gallery purposely built from one House to the other, she every Night held Communication with the Duke of Alva; and the event did afterwards plainly discover that all those Conferences tended to make a secret Alliance between the two Kings, to extirpate the Pro∣testants.

[month July, &c.] The Huguenots who had piercing Eyes and quick Ears, imagined the Duke of Alva had advised the Queen to draw them all together to some great Assembly and dispatch them without Mercy. They said, likewise that he let these words fall, That the Head of one Salmon, is worth more then all the Frogs in a Marsh; and they believed that even at the Assembly of Moulins, the Queen had then gi∣ven the fatal blow if all things necessary thereto had concurred as she desired. Now whether these things were true or imaginary, it is certain, they lost all that little Credit and Confidence there had been between them, so that they could ne∣ver afterwards take any measures with her, and thus the Spaniard attained the end he aimed at, and so greatly desired, which was to maintain an irreconciliable Di∣vision in France.

The Court at their departure from Bayonne passed by Nerac where they resto∣red the Exercise of the Catholick Religion which Queen Jane d'Albret had banisht thence, visited afterwards Agenois, Perigord, Angoumois, Poitou and Anjou, and from thence going up the River of Loire, came and concluded the year in the City of Blois, and assigned an Assembly of the Grandees of the Kingdom, and the first Presidents of the Parliaments in the City of Moulïns for the Month of Janua∣ry in the following year, 1566.

This was Memorable for the Famous Siege of Malta, which was fiercely Attaqued by the Turks four Months together, and yet more Valiantly defended by the Grand Master John de la Valeta Parisot, and his brave Knights. Mustapha, Bassa of Bu∣da, landed on the Island the Seventeenth day of May. Piali Bassa was Admiral or Captain Bassa, the renowned Dragut and the old Occhiali, whom they called Louchali, both terrible for their Piracies, came and joyned the Fleet with more Ships belonging to the Corsairs of Africa, Garcias de Toledo Vice-Roy of Sicilia, had promised Re∣lief to Parisot in the Month of June: but he performed it not till September, the Fort Saint Elmo being then taken, and that of Saint Michael and du Burg being both reduced to Powder; so that it was the indefatigable Courage of the Knights that saved it rather then his Assistance. The Barbarians after they had lost four Months time and labour, Seventy Eight Thousand Cannon Shot, Fifteen Thousand Soldiers, and Eight Thousand Marriners, retired in great Confusion. The following year they seized without resistance upon the Island of Chio which was in the possession of the Justi∣niani, a Genoese Family.

[Year of our Lord 1566. May, &c.] In the Spring time of the same year, 1566. Solyman enraged that his Force and Arms had so unfortunately split against that Rock of Malta, would revenge it upon Hun∣gary, and fell upon it for the Fifth time. It was his last Expedition. Having be∣sieged Ziget a place built in the midst of a Lake indifferently deep, and which consisted of two Towns and three Castles, he died of an Apoplexy the fourth day of September* 1.23 which was the second Month of the Siege. Mehemet his Grand Visier concealed his death with so much Artifice, that his Janisaries knew nothing of it till the place was taken by Storm; which was but three dayes after. The generous Count de Serini, who was Governour thereof, finding himself reduced to the last Castle, and environed on all sides with Flames (for the Turks had set Fire to those Fortifications of Wood)

[Year of our Lord 1566] needs go forth with his Sword in his hand, resolved to die gloriously or pierce through his Enemies. But he was overwhelmed with too great a number upon the Bridge to escape, and the place was afterwards taken and saccaged and all put to the edge of the Sword. However the Infidels had no great cause to rejoyce, when they found how that little handful of Earth, or Ashes, had cost them Seventeen Thousand Spanies, and Seven Thousand Janizaries.

[Year of our Lord 1566. January, &c.] In the Assembly of Moulins, the Chancellor having represented how the King had spent almost two years in visiting his Kingdom to find what disorders the War had produced, declared that the greatest and indeed the source of all others, [☞] was, that all those that were in Office did not only make advantage of their ad∣ministration and their management as of their own proper Goods, but moreover abused of it to the damage and ruine of the publick, the contempt of Religion, of the Law and of their Prince. He afterwards treated and made mention of seve∣ral particulars whereby Grievances might be remedied, as to retrench the multi∣tude of the Chambers* 1.24 of Parliament, and reduce it to its first institution, to give honourable Salaries to the Judges, that they might take no more either Spices, nor Vacations, nor Presents, upon pain of destitution; that they might be only Triennial in each Parliament, and before they went off, to give an account of their Con∣duct before certain Censors chosen for that purpose.

Upon these excellent Propositions (and many more besides, which may well be desired but little expected ever to be put in practice, the Presidents of Parlia∣ment, and Councellors of State having delivered their Opinions and endeavour'd to out-vie each other, to shew their capacity) was made that celebrated Edict of Moulins, given at Paris the tenth of July, which in the whole contains 86 Heads, some whereof were to confirm the Edict made at Paris two years before, and that of Rousillon which explained it; the other to make some certain Regulations in matters of justice. Amongst others, that a Debter* 1.25 though he have not en∣gaged his person, may be detained Prisoner, if he do not make satisfaction with∣in four Months, after Judgment signified to him, and be confined till either he hath paid or delivered up his Goods; that in the Civil no proof by* 1.26 Witnesses shall hereafter be received or held valid for any Sum above an hundred Livers; that all substitutions* 1.27 made before the Ordonnance of Orleans which went to infinity, should be restrained to the fourth degree, (this Ordonnance had redu∣ced them for the future unto the second;) That they shall be published in Court and Registred in the next Registers Office belonging to the King; that donations between persons living should be insinuated within four Months in such Regi∣stry's nearest to the habitation of the parties, upon pain of Nullity.

[Year of our Lord 1566. February, &c.] Before the Court parted from Moulins, they patcht up an accommodation between the Guises and the Colignis. There being no clear proof the Admiral had any hand in the Murther of the Duke of Guise, and having purged himself by Oath, the King enjoyned them to embrace, forget and lay aside all enmities on either part. Which was performed between the Admiral on the one side, and the Widdow of the deceased Duke of Guise, and the Cardinal de Lorrain on the other. The young Duke was not there, he being gone to make his first Campagne in Hungary, from whence he returned not till the latter end of this year.

In the same place the reconciliation betwixt the Cardinal de Lorrain, and the Mareschal de Montmorency was likewise made; the former having declar'd that it was not in contempt of the Kings Authority he had omitted to produce his Letters Patents which allowed him to go abroad armed; the latter that the Me∣thod he had proceeded in was not with any manner of design to affrout him, but purely to observe the Kings Edict, as he was in duty bound by his Of∣fice.

In this year must be placed the beginning of the Civil Wars in the Low-Countries, which lasted till the time of the Peace of Munster, without any relaxation save during the Truce which was obtained by Henry IV. The fear and dread of the Inquisition was the principal cause of it. It was extremely detrimental and ruinous to the Flemmings, for besides the too violent severities used against those that were tainted with the new Opinions, it wholly interrupted all Commerce, and frighted away the Germans, Danes and English from the City of Antwerp and other maritime Towns of the Low-Countries. The Clergy were but little less aggrieved by the erecting of Seven Bishop∣ricks

dismembred from the Metropolitans of Reims, Triers, Colen, and the Bishop∣ricks [Year of our Lord 1566] of Liege and Munster, because they united to them the richest Abbeys of the Low-Countries and put in Prelates wholly devoted to the Council of Spain. So that under pretence of maintaining the ancient Religion, they laboured to set up an ab∣solute and unlimited power, over those Provinces, who owed no further obedience then ac∣cording to their Laws and Priviledges.

The procedure of the Cardinal de Granvelle, who treated the Grandees of the Country very imperiously, exasperated them yet more. Divers Conspiracies were con∣trived against him, the fear of which forced him to retire to Besanson: but his Spirit Reigned in Flanders still, and perswaded the Council of Spain, not to abate in the least, but proceed and carry on the work with the utmost severity. The Council of State of the Order of the Fleece, and Governors of the Provinces, wherein Margaret Dutchess of Parma Governess of the Low-Countries presided, thought good to send Egmont into Spain, to represent the ill Consequences that would attend the publication of their too severe Edicts. He returned with fair words and great caresses: but Phi∣lip sent Orders to the Governess to publish the Council of Trent, and set up the Inqui∣sition.

The States of Brabant opposed it, the Religionaries heated the people, the Governess apprehending a revolt, was constrained to put forth a Declaration which revoked the In∣quisition, and would not suffer the Council to be published but with restrictions conforma∣ble to the Priviledges of the Country.

But the Populace, for the most part pre-possest with the Doctrine of the Sectaries, were not satisfied with that, but threatned to fall foul upon the Nobility: in so much as the Lords of the Country dreading their fury, or pretending so, assembled at Ger∣trudemberg, and made a League amongst themselves for the preservation of their Li∣berties. The Governess being much amazed at this Conspiracy, the Count de Barlai∣mont who hated them mortally, told her they were only a Company of Gueux * 1.28. The Con∣spirators hearing of it, took that Epithet, or word, for the name of their Faction, and began to wear upon their Coats the figure of a wooden Porringer or Dish, with this In∣scription, Servants of the King, even to the Budget. Immediately, as if that had been the Signal for their rising, the Religionaries broke loose in every part of the Country. They began to hold Assemblies, to destroy and break in pieces all what the Catholicks esteem most sacred, and to seize upon some Towns, as the Huguenots of France did formerly, with whom they had kept intimate correspondence for several years.

[Year of our Lord 1566, and 67.] Of two Opinions debated in the Council of Spain touching the Method to extin∣guish this Flame, Philip chose that of the Duke d'Alva as most suitable to his mercyless humour, and his desire of absolute authority; which was to use the utmost severities to quell those Tumults, and not to receive the people to any kind of Mercy, till they had gi∣ven up their Priviledges, their Estates, and even their Lives to his discretion. Where∣fore, after he had pretended for three Months together, that he would go personally thi∣ther, to settle that people, he sent the Duke of Alva with Orders to execute those san∣guinary resolutions of which he was the Author.

He Marched by Savoy, Bress, the Franche-Comté and Lorrain, with the For∣ces of Milanois, and of the Kingdom of Naples. Whilst he was yet in Italy he ad∣vised Queen Catherine to arm on her part to exterminate the Huguenots, at the same time as he would destroy the Gueux. In effect she raised six thousand Swiss, and ordered the Governors of Provinces to send the Companies already on foot (called d'Ordon∣nance) and to levy new ones, but it was under pretence of Coasting the Duke, to observe and hinder him from undertaking any thing upon the Frontiers of the King∣dom.

Before he left Spain the Marquiss de Bergue, and Floris de Montmorency Mon∣tigny were arrested, having been sent on the behalf of the States of the Low-Coun∣tries to make their Remonstrances to King Philip. The first died either of grief, or some morsel prepar'd for the purpose, the second had his head cut off, though both of them were very stanch Catholicks, which made it apparent that the Council of Spain intended no less against the liberty of the Low-Countries, then against the new Reli∣gion.

[Year of our Lord 1567. June, &c.] Now it is certain that the Duke of Alva's Army kindled the flame of Civil War again in France. The Huguenots seeing them march imagin'd, That the Pope and the House of Austria had conspired their ruine; that this design was evident, because they every day restrained them more and more of that liberty which had been granted them by Edicts, so that it was almost reduced to nothing,

[Year of our Lord 1567] that the people fell upon them in all places where they were the weaker, and where they were able to defend themselves the Governors made use of the Kings Authority to oppress them; that they dismantled those Cities that had favour'd them, that they built Citadels there; that they could not have justice done them either in Parliaments, nor by the Kings Council; that they Massacred them impunitively; that they restored them not to their Estates and Employ∣ments.

These were in substance the complaints they carried twice or thrice to the Prince of Condé and Coligny; who having met them two several times, still answer∣ed them, that they must endure any thing rather then take up Arms again; That a second disturbance would make them become a horror to all France, and the particular object of hatred to the King, in whose mind it would make so deep an impression of prejudice against them, in his blooming youth, as nothing hereafter would be able to blot out. But when one of the Chief Persons about the Court had given them certain notice, that it was resolved on to seize upon the Prince and the Admiral, the first to be detained a perpetual Prisoner, the other to be brought to the Scaffold: Dandelot the boldest of them made them resolve not only to defend themselves, but to attack their Enemies by open force, and to that purpose drive away the Cardinal de Lorrain from the King, and cut the Swiss in pieces: this was their first aim: but no man alive, nay not them∣selves could have told to what height their success might have carried them, had it proved such as they desired.

The little City of Rosoy in Brie was Assigned for Rendezvous of the Nobility of the Party, on the eighth and twentieth day of September. The Prince with the Admiral, Dandelot and the Count de la Rochefaucaut, seized upon it without any difficulty, there being Arrived several Gentlemen from divers parts, one by one till they made up the number in all of Four Hundred Masters. They had a mind to surprize the Court which was then at Monceaux, on the Feast day of Saint Michael when the King was to have held the Chapter of his Order: but the Queen having Information that they were upon their March, immediately reti∣red with the King to Meaux. And to give her Swissers time, who were quar∣ter'd in the Neighbouring Villages, to get into the Town, she sent the Mareschal de Montmorency to amuse the Prince of Condé who was making ready to Charge them, and had no doubt cut them all off as they lay then scatter'd. The Mareschal having demanded what business brought them thither? carried back a Petition from them, which they had drawn up to present to the King.

[Year of our Lord 1567. September, &c.] The Constables advice was, that the King ought not to remove from Meaux, because they could not convey him thence without hazard of a Battel, whereof the event must be uncertain. The Chancellor said the same, and added, that if once both parties drew their Swords, there could never be any more accommo∣dation, for the King would have an eternal resentment, and the Huguenots who had offended him, be under the perpetual necessity of keeping still in Arms against him. The ill-favour'd destiny of France was more prevalent then those prudent Councils: they rather adhered to what the Cardinal de Lorr••in said, and so the King was by night persuaded to take his flight towards Paris. He was placed in the midst of his Swiss, who cover'd him on the right and left, together with eight hundred Horse belonging to his Train, more likely to hinder and embarass, then to fight.

At the first birth of day, when he had Marched four Leagues, the Prince ap∣pear'd with four or five hundred Horse well armed. The Constable fearing an Engagement, sent the King away before with two hundred Horse out of the common road; so that he got safe to Paris that very night. The Princes Caval∣ry, who knew nothing of this fell upon the Swiss: but having often struggled to break in amongst them found them stand so firm, that he only followed them to Bourget, disturbing them now and then in their rear.

The Princes party rested four days at Claye waiting for an answer to their Pe∣tition. In the interim Forces came to them from several parts, with which they designed to seize upon the Avenues to Paris, particularly Montereau Faut-Yonne above, and Saint Denis below, which lies near the River of Seine, and commands all the Country on that side. In the former they placed a Garrison; the Prince himself lodged in the latter. In his March he burnt all the Mills be∣tween the Gates of the Temple and Saint Honoré, but without any other effect save only that it encreased the Kings Anger and the Parisians hatred.

[Year of our Lord 1567] For eight days together there was nothing but Messages to and fro, the Con∣nestable and Chancellor desiring to try all means whereby to prevent the French from cutting one anothers throats. The first nevertheless would relinquish no∣thing in prejudice of the Catholick Religion, and always stood upon it with the Huguenots that the Edict of Pacification which they urged, was but provisional. Thus wrangling upon that point, which was indeed the most essential they broke off all Conference.

Some Troops being come out of the Provinces to the Huguenots, they seiz∣ed upon the Bridge at Poissy, and of Argentueil, and a great many small Castles on the other side the River with whom they made a communication by means of certain Pontons, (or Bridges) which they had at Saint Ouins: so that they commanded and beat about all the roads to Normandy, the Countries of Perche, Mayne, and Anjou, and stopt all provisions which come in vast quantities to Paris from those quarters. The people began therefore to cry out against the Constable, as if he had some correspondence with the Admiral his Nephew, and their murmurs not ceasing, even after he had retaken all those Posts, he was so netled that they should suspect his fidelity, that he resolved, though he had ever been a wise Cunctatour, to go forth and drive the Enemies from all their Lodgments. They held three, Saint Ouin, Aubervilliers, and Saint Denis which lay between the two others.

He did not believe that they durst stand him in the Field, having but a hand∣ful of Men, for they were in all but twelve hundred Foot, and fifteen hundred Horse, mightily harassed and most of them ill armed, having instead of Lances only some kind of Poles they got at Saint Denis which they armed with Iron heads. I do not reckon the five hundred which Andelot had at Poissy, who could not come to the Fight because the Pontons at Saint Ouins were sunk by the Kings Soldiers. The Royal Army consisted of sixteen thousand Foot, and three thou∣sand Men at Arms, without including the City Companies, who did much more en∣crease their number, then their strength.

The day before having resolved to attaque them, he caused them to be har∣celled all the day and all the night long by fifteeen hundred Horse, as well to discover as to tyre them. The following day being the tenth of November, he Marches out with his Forces, having told the Parisians that very day should shew proof of his fidelity, and that they should not see him again but either dead or vi∣ctorious. His Son the Mareschal broke in amongst the Enemies and cover'd the Field with their slain: but as for himself the Body he Commanded was routed, and he abandoned by most of his Men. However he did not forsake himself, but did all that belonged to a General, and a resolved Cavalier, till he was wound∣ed in six places, the last of which was mortal: This was a Pistol-shot which Robert Stuard discharged in his Reins. D'Anville his Son and the Duke of Aumale disengaged him. Night put the Combat to an end and saved the Hugue∣nots who were defeated on the right Wing, and very much shaken in the left.

But few of the Infantry fell upon the place, of which the most were Huguenots, and six or seven hundred Cavaliers, amongst whom were near two hundred Gen∣tlemen, as many of the one as of the other party.

[Year of our Lord 1567. November, &c.] The night after Dandelot Arrived from Poissy, and passed over the River at Saint Ouins upon those Pontons which he weighed up from the bottom of the water and patched together. He was of Opinion that to stop the report which was spread abroad of their defeat, it were fit they should draw their Forces up in Battalia, and with them he with a marvellous resolution charged the Enemies to the very Walls of Paris. From the top of the Walls and Envoy of the Grand Signors who beheld the Fight, observing them return so often to the Charge, said to those that stood about him; That if his Master had but Six Thou∣sand Horsemen equal to those white Coats, he would soon conquer all Eu∣rope.

The Field and Spoil was the Catholicks, but the Honour was the Huguenots; who without Cannon and being so small a number had withstood the effort of a Royal Army that had Paris to back them. The Constable died the next day of his wounds, with a courage truly heroick, and a virility of strength in his almost decrepit age. It is said, That a Cordelier importuning him with his tedious exhortations, he desired him to leave him in peace, telling him, That he had not l••v'd four score years, without learning to die a quarter of an hour. At his Funeral Pomp

[Year of our Lord 1567] they carried his Effigies, which is an honour done to none but to Kings and to the Sons of France.

The Queen very glad to be ridd of him who alone did in a manner limit her power within bounds of reason, would not fill up that Office of Constable, but that she might retain the general Command of the Armies in her own hands, gave it to her Son the Duke of Anjou, who was not yet fourteen years of age, and placed trusty people about him to dispose both of his person and that great Command as she directed.

The fifth day after the Battel the Huguenots fearing they might be overwhelm∣ed by those of Paris, took their March towards Montereau to meet John Casimir Son of Lewis, Elector and Count Palatine, who brought them an Army from Germany. The Royal Army did not pursue them, but kept within Paris, there being since the death of the Constable no General as yet appointed.

The Queen Mother had by Lansac and Bochetel Bishop of Rennes her Ambas∣sadors, declared to the Protestant Princes of that Country, that in this War Re∣ligion was not at all concerned, (since the Huguenots were allowed all manner of liberty) but the Regal Authority, which they directly opposed; so that the Electors William Duke of Saxony and Charles Marquiss of Brandenburg, had deny∣ed the Prince to make any Levies in their Territories, but had allowed it to the King. The Palatine being also prepossest had for a while kept back those Forces, his Son was to command: but being afterwards otherwise informed by an En∣voyé who accompanied Lansac to the Court of France, and who upon his return saw the Prince of Condé, he exhorted his Son to go on with his March.

[Year of our Lord 1567. September and October.] They sojourned at Montereau fifteen days to wait for the Troops which their Chiefs were raising in several Provinces; as the King had likewise ordered his part to encrease his Army. Those that were raised for them in Poitou, Angou∣mois, and Saintonge had for Commanders, Francis de la Rochefoucant, Claude de Vaudré-Mouy, Giron de Luzignan Bessey, and Francis de la Nouë, whose wisdom and probity was held in admiration amongst the very Catholicks. In their fa∣vour the City of Rochel by means of Truchard their new Maire, and perhaps by the connivance of Guy Chabot Jarnac who was Governor for the King, entred into their party, whereof it hath been as it were the strongest Tower and Asylum for sixty years together.

In their March la Nouë being detached to get Orleans for them, managed the Business so well, that with the help of the Inhabitants who were of the Re∣ligion, he made himself Master of it the eight and twentieth of September, and forced out the Governor who had cantoned himself at the Porte-Baniere. From Orleans they Marched towards Montereau, and forced Ponts Sur-Yonne. The Ad∣miral having joyned them there with a gross of Cavalry, would try the City of Sens: but he there found the young Duke of Guise, who having season'd his cou∣rage in the War of Hungary, endeavour'd to let him see that he should find in him an Enemy as brave and more dangerous then his Father.

Those of Languedoc were employ'd by James Crussol d'Acier in taking the Castles of Nismes and Montpellier, they having the Towns already by means of the Inhabitants. Those of the Countries of Foix, Albigeois, and Lauraguais, conducted by the Vicount * 1.29, (those were seven Gentlemen bearing that Title) having joyned him, assisted him in the taking some places about Avignon and in Daufiné. From thence they went to Orleans, where by their Arrival they freed the Princess of Condé and the Wives of the other Chief Commanders from the great fear and trouble they were in, who having but few Soldiers, were every hour under some apprehension of being taken with the Town it self.

As for the Forces of Auvergne, Forez, and Beaujolois, led by Poncenas and Verbelay, they received a check in the Country of Forez from Terride la Valette, and Monsalez, who were bringing some Levies out of Guyenne to the King: but however they made a shift to get clear. Poncenas upon another occasion in the night, was kill'd by his own Men.

The Duke of Newers who had an Army of twelve or thirteen thousand Men, six thousand being Swiss, and the rest made up in Piedmont and Italy, took as he was on his way the City of Mascon whereof la Loüe was Governor: but as he was passing thorough his own Dutchy of Nivernois, he met with some Huguenot Horse of the Garrison of the little Town of Antrain; he charged them, and pur∣suing them in their retreat, was wounded in the knee with a Pistol-shot, which made him lame all his life after, and much exasperated against the Huguenots.

[Year of our Lord 1568] The Huguenot Army at their departure from Montereau took their March thorough Champagne by Chaalons, passed the Meuse and went into Lorrain. They were five or six dayes in great pain that Prince Casimir appeared not, and no less afterwards, when upon his first Arrival he demand d an Hundred Thousand Crowns the Prince had promised to pay him when he could joyn him. At this time hapned what had never till then been known; the Princes Soldiers, even to the very Snap-sack boys, freely disbursed to make up part of the said Sum; and thus one Army paid the other, which consisted of six Thousand five Hundred Horse and about three Thousand Foot.

[Year of our Lord 1580] With this considerable Re-inforcement the Confederates returned into France. They took the Garrisons of Joinville and Chaumont, passed the Marne, and cros∣sing the Bishoprick of Autun, came to the head of the Seine, the Forces under the [month January.] Duke of Nevers, not being able to hinder their passage over it. From thence they steer'd their Course by Auxerre, Chastillon and Montargis; whence they ex∣tended into la Beausse. The Prince having been at Orleans to receive those Troops were brought him from Guyenne, marched Twenty Leagues in one day to lay Siege to Chartres. He thought when he should have taken this Town, he might promise to himself, it being one of the Granaries of Paris, that he might return to Block up that City its self: so deep the Imagination was imprinted in him, that he should never attain the ends he designed, but by mating that great Ci∣ty by Famine, and other inconveniences attending War.

The enterprize proved more difficult than he expected. Antony de Lignieres was got into Chartres with a Strong Garrison, and had put all things in good Order; If nevertheless he had at first, (which he did not till the latter end) turned the River another way which wrought their Mills, the Besieged would soon have wanted bread.

During this Siege the Conferences for a Peace were again set on foot, the Cardinal de Chastillon going to Longjumeau treated a long while with Charles de Gontaud Biron Mareschal de Camp* 1.30, and Henry de Mesme Master of Requests; In so much as the English Ambassador and the Ambassador from Florence become∣ing friendly Mediators, it was agreed upon the second day of March. The Edict was verified in Parliament the twenty sixth of the same Month. This con∣firmed [Year of our Lord 1568. March, &c.] and restored intirely that which had been made for them five years before, revoking and annulling all Exceptions, Declarations, and Interpretations which had been made to the contrary.

The more quick-sighted amongst the Huguenots were not for making this Peace, which scattered them so wide assunder, and exposed them to the mercy of their Enemies, without any other Security but the word of an Italian Wo∣man; and indeed they named it the Boiteuse * 1.31, i. e. Lame, and the Mal-assise, al∣luding to Biron who was Lame, and Mesme who was Lord de Mal-assise. But the Prince protested he was constrained to it, because the greatest part of his Forces disbanded, the Nobility were returning to their own Homes which were exposed to Pillage, and the Germans might perhaps have sold them for want of pay. The Parliament of Toulouze did not verifie it till after they had four express Commands, nor before they did cut off the head of Rapin whom the Prince had sent thither to press the Verification, having raked up some old Crime against him up∣on which they made his Process in great hast.

In consequence of this Treaty, the Huguenots raised the Siege of Chartres, and gave up several Cities they had taken, amongst others Soissons, Orleans, Auxerre, Blois, and la Charité upon the Loire. Rochel refused to obey, and after their ex∣ample many others. Prince Casimir led back his Forces into Germany, and went to Heidelberg to give an account of his expedition to his Father the Elector. He there found William of Nassaw Prince of Orange, who having made his escape from the Low Countries, implored his Assistance for the maintenance of their Liberty and his Religion against the Duke of Alva.

The Cruclties of that Duke, the Deaths of the Counts of Egmont and Horn, the Troubles of the Low-Countries, and the Foundation of the States of Holland, by the Marvellous Conduct, and un-shaken Courage of that Prince of Orange, are the noblest Subjects for History that can be met with in all these latter Ages. And indeed it hath been Treated on by several Authors and of so great Merit, as they have almost equall'd the grandeur of the Theam, and Matter. We shall observe only as the most monstrous

[Year of our Lord 1568] adventure that can be Imagined; How Philip King of Spain being inform'd the Infant Don Carlos his only Son and his presumptive Successor (who indeed was of a roving Spirit, untractable and very dangerous) held Correspondence with the Confederate Lords of the Low-Countries who endeavour'd to draw him into Flanders, clapt him in Prison and deprived him of Life, either by Slow Poyson, or by stifling him; and in a short while after upon some kind of jealousie, Poysoned Elizabeth de la Paix his Wife, making her Perish with the fruit then in her Womb, as Queen Catherine made it appear after the Secret Informations she had taken, and by the Domestick Servants belonging to that Princess when they were come back into France.

In the time of Peace, one of the Admirals principal Cares was to encrease the Navigation and the Trade of France, chiefly in those Countries of the other Hemi∣sphear, as well for the Credit of his Office, as to plant Colonies there of his own Religion. He had sent the Chevalier de Villegagnon to Florida, as believing him fixt in the new opinions: but this man failed him in his promises, and rudely hand∣led those of that Profession. Afterwards in the year 1562. he dispatched John Ribaud thither with two Ships, who Sailing a quite different Course then the Spaniards had wont to do, most happily Landed at Florida. When he had made discovery of the Country, Treated an Alliance with the petty Princes, and given Names to several Capes, Rivers and Gulphs, he built at the end of the Streight at Saint Helens, a Fort, which in honour of the King was Named Fort Charles, and leaving a Lieutenant there together with some Soldiers well arm'd, return'd into France, after he had promised to come again to them as soon as possible, to bring a reinforcement and refreshments.

Not being able to make good his word, by reason of the Civil War that hap∣ned, their Provisions failing they shipt themselves. In the midst of the Voyage they were so pressed with hunger, that they killed one of their own Crew who was Sick, and fed upon him. An English Vessel who fortunately met them, supplied their wants, and carried them into England.

The Admiral not knowing they had quitted the Fort, fitted out three Ships at Haure de Grace to go and relieve them. René Laudonniere Commanded this Fleet: he landed at the Golfe to which Ribaud had given the name of May, and made an Alliance with some Petty Kings of the Barbarians: but it hapned, that whilst he was Sick, part of his men debauched by some that were Factious, forced him to permit them to go to New Spain to seek for Provisions, where having taken a huge Vessel fraught with Riches, wherein was the Governor of the Hava∣na, they were afterwards surrounded and seized in that Island, and all sold or car∣ried into Spain.

This Piracy gave the Spaniards a fair pretence (who were already grown very jealous that the French began to settle in those Countries) to fall upon them, and allow no quarter. They pretended those Territories belonged to them, affirm∣ing they were the first Discoverers. But in truth a Venetian Named Stephen Ga∣boury, prompted in Emulation of Christopher Columbus to seek out new Countries under the auspicious favour of Henry VII. King of England, had found out and land∣ed upon those Coasts even in the year 1496. long before there Ponce de Leon, who was indeed the Person that gave it the name of Florida, because he went first on Shoar there upon Palm-Sunday.

When Laudonniere was ready to return, he spied Seven Vessels at Sea: this was John Ribaud a very good Sea-man; but an ill Soldier and much worse Cap∣tain, who was made choice of by the Admiral as very affectionate to the Interests of his Party. The Spaniards had at the same time sent one Peter Melandez with some Ships to hinder the French from taking root there. Ribaud quitting his Fort which he left but slightly furnished with Men, went on Board his Ships to Fight them. When he was out at Sea a Hurrican, a strange kind of Storm very fre∣quent about those Coasts, forced and beat all his Fleet in pieces against the Rocks: His men getting to Land with their Long-Boats, fell into the Hands of the Spaniards; who having taken the Fort, slaughter'd them all with a more then Canibal Cruelty, tearing them piece-meal, and plucking out their Eyes. They said they treated them after that manner, not as French-Men, but as Lutherans. Laudonniere having pick'd up as many as he could with the Boats he had ordered to creep along the Shoar, set Sail for France.

[Year of our Lord 1568] The King's Council who were half Spanish, not minding to take any Revenge for this Massacre, a private Person, by Name Dominique de Gourgues Native of Mont de Marsan in Gascongne, a man of Heart and great Resolution, offended for that the Spaniards having otherwhile taken him Prisoner in the Wars of Italy had put him in their Galleys, undertook to avenge both his own Injury and that of France. With part of his Estate which he sold, and what his Brother, Presi∣dent of the Generality of Guyenne, lent him, he equipp'd some Vessels with Two Hundred Soldiers, and a Hundred Sea-men, went and Landed in Florida, and joyning with the Barbarians of the Country who mourned and groaned under the Oppression of the Spaniards, attaqu'd and by Storm took the Fort Charles, and two more which they had raised in two places at some distance. In them were above Eight Hundred men. The Barbarians beat out the Brains of such as thought to escape into the Woods, and he caused all the rest to be hanged who Surrendred at discretion, with this Writing, Not as Spaniards, but as Pirates.

Upon his return into France, the Avenger of his Country, and the Deliverer or Redeemer of Florida, instead of Elogy's and Rewards, met with Accusers, and a mortal danger: the Ambassador of Spain demanded his Head, and the Council was ready to give it him; so that he was forced to hide himself, till after the Peace, when the Admiral and his Friends brought him off from all trouble.

Peter Bertrand Son of Blaize de Montluc, gained no less Honour in his Enter∣prize, but had less a fortunate Success. He had a design to build a place, either by fair means or by force in such a post as he should find most convenient in the Kingdoms of Manicongo, Mozambique, or Melinda, to serve as a Retreat for the French to carry on the Trade of Africa, and the East-Indies, as the Portuguese did. For this purpose he fitted three great Vessels and some Barks, with Twelve Hun∣dred Soldiers. His younger Brother Fabian, and a Cadet of the House of Pampa∣dour, accompanied him.

A Tempest having cast him upon the Coasts of Madera, his men would needs go on Shoar for fresh water: the Portuguese received them with Cannot shot, and made a Salley to cut them off. Bertrand enraged that they should thus violate the common right of Mankind, and the Alliance between the two Crowns of France and Portugal, Lands Eight Hundred Men, goes directly to them whilst his Bro∣ther cut off their Retreat, and so Slew them all. At the same time he Marched towards the City which bears the same Name as the Island, puts his Cannon in Battery, forced and sacked it: but as he was Assaulting the great Church, where part of the Garrison yet defended themselves, he received a wound in his Thigh whereof he died in a few dayes after.

Thus was that Enterprize interrupted, which would have been no less useful then glorious. All those that went along with him ran great hazard of their Lives, when they were come back into France. They were fain to hide or keep out of the way a long time: the Credit and Interest of Montluc, nor the pow∣er of the Admiral, who stood up stoutly for every thing wherein the Honour of the French was concerned, had much adoe to secure them against the Complaints and Instances of the Portugal Ambassador, who prosecuted them before the King's Coun∣cil as Pirates.

The intention of those that made the Peace of Chartres was not to keep it, but to take their advantage better than they had done before. So that it could not last long. The Huguenots contravening to the Treaty, retained several places, amongst others Sancerre, Vezelay, Montauban, Castres, Millaud and Rochel, which they Fortified in all hast. They manifestly had Intelligence with Queen Eliza∣beth, and with the Princes of Germany: and the Admiral had particular Corres∣pondence with the Prince of Orange. A Normand Gentleman Named Coqueville, had raised Seven or Eight Hundred Men in the Country of Caux to carry to him: but being charged and then invested by the Mareschal de Cossé in Saint Valery's, they threw down their Armes, and Coqueville was Beheaded.

[month June, &c.] On the other hand they did not let the Huguenots enjoy either Peace, or their Liberty of Conscience: they were more in danger than in the time of War. In three Months time above Two Thousand of them were kill'd in divers Places, either by their particular Enemies, as René Lord de Cipierre, Son of Claude de Sa∣voye Count de Tende, and Thirty Persons of his Train, whom Gaspard de Ville∣neure Marquess d'Ars, Massacred in Frejus, as he returned from Nice, whether he

[Year of our Lord 1568] went to see the Duke of Savoy his Kinsman; or by popular Tumults, as at Ami∣ens near a Hundred People, at Auxerre an Hundred and Fifty, many at Blois, at Bourges, at Issoudun, at Troyes and in twenty other Places. But nothing seemed more cruel than what the People did at Ligny in Barrois, where a Huguenot upon a Holy-day having refused to comply in some trivial Ceremony, and committed some little Indecency, was haled out of his House by the populace in the Magi∣strates presence, and burnt upon a pile of Wood which they fetched from his own dwelling.

The Prince was then at Noyers in Burgundy a Castle of his Wives. A Soldi∣er was surprized measuring the Fosse and the Wall to Scale the place; and that design being detected, the Queen order'd those forces to go into Burgundy which were raised for the Besieging of Rochel, and to take him by Force, since they could not catch him by craft. At the same time as they aimed at his Person as Head of the Party, so they used all means imaginable to divide the Huguenots, and unlink those from him who appeared most zealous to follow him.

On the contrary he endeavour'd to keep them United, and make them all speak by his Mouth. He sent Teligny, then Jacqueline de Rohan his Wives Mother to Court, to Supplicate the Queen Mother to maintain the Peace and the Edicts: but that was what he ought never to have hoped for, when he could not but ob∣serve that if any one were of his opinion he was called Libertine and Politician, as much as to say one that had no true Love to Religion, and that the Chancel∣lour de l'Hospital who gave pacifick Counsels, was discharged from Court and con∣fined to his House at Vignan near Estampes, as suspected to be a Huguenot: and in∣deed, his Wife, his Daughter, and his Son in Law were so. The Seals were given to John de Morvillier Bishop of Orleans.

Hardly was the Princes Mother in Law gone from Court, when he had News that some Forces by secret Order were drawn about Noyers to surround him, and that if he staid four or five dayes longer, he would have no way left him to make his Retreat. Coligny penetrating into the designes they were contriving against them, came to the Castle of Tanlay belonging to Dandelot his Brother. From thence going to the Prince, both of them parted from Noyers with a Convoy of a Hundred and Fifty Horse only, in the midst of whom (a Melancholly Spectacle) were their Wives and Children, the most of them as yet in their Nurses Armes, or not out of their hanging Sleeves.

The better to conceal their Retreat, the Prince wrote a long Letter of Com∣plaints and Remonstrances to the King, declaring he would wait for an answer to it; In the mean time he hastned forward, and pass'd the River of Loire at a Ford right against Sancerre. Scarce was he on the other Shoar, when the Burgun∣dian Troops who pursued him, appeared on the hither side at Saint Godon. The River was at that time Fordable, but the next day it swell'd so high, that it left them no passage to get over to follow him. Which the Huguenots cry'd up for a Miracle.

[Year of our Lord 1568. September, &c.] Blaise de Montluc Governour of Guyenne, and the King's Lieutenants of Limosin and Perigord, were up in Armes to intercept his Passage, and the Mareschal de Vielleville upon the rumour of his March came to Poitiers to know what business led him thither. He out-stript them all by his diligence, and Arrived at Rochel the Eighteenth of September. The Queen of Navarre Jane d'Albret came there soon after with her two Children, Henry Prince of Bearn, and Catherine. The Cardinal de Chastillon who was at his Castle of Brosle in Beauvoisis, not being able to get to his Brother thorow so many of the Enemies Provinces, made his escape by Sea into England.

There is reason enough to believe that the Prince, or rather the Admiral, who was the primum Mobile of the Party, had taken his measures long before: for the Huguenots Captains Flock'd to Rochel from all Parts as if appointed at that very time, and Queen Jane brought him near Four Thousand Men. Dandelot who was in Bretagne had gotten about the like number together out of the Pro∣vinces of Normandy, Mayne and Anjou, who were joyned by Montgomery, la Noüe, and some others. All these together after some Ren-counters they had with Se∣bastian de Luxemburg Martigues, passed the River, Montgomery having very lucki∣ly lighted on a Ford for them; the Duke of Montpensier who Commanded the King's Forces in that Country, nor Martigues ever offering to obstruct it.

[Year of our Lord 1568] Together with their Swords, both the one and the other, made use of the fair pretence of Justice. The Prince drew up the Form of an Oath, whereby all those of his Party engaged upon their Faith to follow and obey his Commands for the Defence of their Religion, and to pursue the Cardinal of Lorraine to the utmost, whom they supposed to be the Author of the War, and their sworn Enemy. The Manifesto for his taking up Arms which he published at the same time, expressed the very same thing; It was necessary to set up some mark to Level at, not daring in the least to pretend any Controversie with the King, or the Queen his Mother.

On the other side, an Edict was set forth by the King, whereby he promised to take all the Huguenots of his Kingdom into his Protection as much as any o∣ther his Subjects, and assured them they should have due Justice done for all the Injuries had been Committed against them, provided they would quietly remain in their own present dwellings. But afterwards when the Queen and the Cardi∣nal de Lorraine perceived that this favour was interpreted by them as an Artifice which tended to oppress them separately one after another, did but the more ani∣mate them to run after the Prince from all Parts: they put forth another quite contrary which prohibited the exercise of any other Religion but the Catholick, and commanded all Huguenot Ministers to leave the Kingdom within Fifteen dayes. By a third, all such of them as held any Offices or Employments, were enjoyned to Surrender the same up to the King. The Parliament added in the Verification, That no Person from that time forward should be admitted into any Office, that did not first make Oath to live and die in the Catholick Reli∣gion.

During the Month of October the Prince and his People got themselves into possession of most of the places in the Countries of Aulnis, Saintongne, Angoumois, and Poitou, excepting Poitiers. They had proved happy in all their enterprises, if their Forces to the number of twelve Thousand Men who came from Daufiné, Languedoc, and Guyenne, Commanded in Chief by Dacier, had not received a shrewd Check at their Marching out of Perigord. Mouvens a valiant Soldier, but too presumptuous, had lodged himself alone with three Thousand Men, upon some pick he had with Beaudiné Brother to Dacier, the Duke of Montpensier who was gone into that Country to hinder their joyning with the Prince, gave Brissac order to fall upon him, whilst himself would Skirmish with Dacier that he might not relieve him. Dacier knowing how things stood, sent to Mouvens not to stir out of his Quarters that day, for there he could not be forced: but he did not observe those Orders, for Brissac making as if he retired, Mouvens would needs be going that day, so that he fell into an Ambuscade laid ready for him in his March. He was there slain with a Thousand of his Men, the rest saved themselves in the Neighbouring Woods. Dacier pickt up a Thousand of them the day following, the remainder were scattered or knocked on the Head by the Peasants.

The Prince going as far as Aubeterre to meet Dacier, it was then Montpensier's turn who before pursued him, to retreat to Chastellerand. When the Duke of An∣jou Arrived at the Kings Army, they were found to be four and twenty Thousand Foot, and four Thousand Horse; the Princes were less in number by a fourth part, but all resolute men, who having forsaken their Families and Estates, had no other hopes but in the keeness of their Swords.

So that the Prince relying on their Valour, sought all opportunities to give Battle; The Duke of Anjou avoided it for the same reason, but was in honour obliged to keep the Field. The severities of the Winter Season could not per∣swade them to go into Quarters, till at length their men overcome by the extre∣mity of Cold, refused to contend any longer with the Frosts and Snowes. Above Eight Thousand on both sides died by the many inconveniencies they met with∣all.

The Prince wanted Money, without which he could not long maintain his For∣ces, to plunder was both very odious and casual, what those Huguenots that staid at home could contribute to the Cause (so the Party called it) was inconsiderable. In this great necessity, they were mightily relieved by a Loan of Sixteen Thousand Crowns of Gold disbursed by the Rochellers, and a Hundred Thousand Angelots * 1.32, with some Cannon and many Thousand weight of Powder sent them by Queen Elizabeth upon the instance of the Cardinal de Chastillon.

[Year of our Lord 1568] But their Piracy made them a greater and a more lasting fund: the Prince in∣citing both by honour and profit some of the ablest Citizens of Rochel, they equip∣ped a small Fleet of Nine Vessels and some Frigats, who went out to make prize of the trading Ships belonging to Bretagne, Normandy, and Flanders, having the Ports of England to friend whether they might with security shelter ••hemselves and the Prey they gained, which shewed that Queen did by consequence approve the Huguenots taking Armes, and engaged in their cause against the King.

Both Parties had sent to have Men raised in Germany, the one in the Countries of the Catholick Princes, the others inthe Protestants; those for the King were soonest ready. Which were Five Thousand Five Hundred Horse Commanded by divers Captains, of whom Frederic Marquis of Baden, the Rhinegrave Philip, and Christopher de Bassompierre, were the principal. The Princes Levies were con∣ducted by Wolfang de Bavaria Duke of Duke-Ponts. The Duke of Aumale with Six Thousand Men, and the Duke of Nemours who was gone to joyn him with the Ca∣tholick Forces of Lyonnois and the Countries adjacent, had orders to stay in Lorrain to hinder his passage.

[Year of our Lord 1569. March.] The Sharpest Frosts being over, the King's Army Commanded by the Duke of Anjou, and that of the Princes (we shall call it so since all Orders were given in the names of the Princes) took the Field again. The Royal one was newly re∣inforced with Three Thousand Men, brought by the Count of Tendes from Dau∣finé, that belonging to the Princes was Marching to meet the Troops of the Vicounts conducted by Piles. The Duke of Anjou, who from Conflans in Limo∣sin had passed Vienne to come Vertueil, knowing they marched to Cognac for that purpose, and that as soon as they had joyned with those, they would return to∣wards the Loire to wait the Succours of the Duke of Deux-ponts, resolved to get the Start of them and pass over the Charente.

The Huguenots held the Bridges of Jarnac and Chasteau-neuf, and their Forces were lodged much at large in the Country along the River side. The Duke not able to gain Jarnac at first brush, went to Chasteau-neuf. There were but Fifty Men in it, who immediately surrendred. Armand de Gontaud Biron repaires the Bridge with such diligence that half the Kings Army were got over by break of day, which was the Thirteenth of March. The Admiral having notice, sent Orders to his Foot and Baggage to file off before towards the Burrough of Bassac, whilst the Horse could draw together from their distant quarters. The sluggish delay of some Troops who were not on Horse-back till about Nine a Clock, engaged them to the Combat. La Noüe who closed up the Rear-Guard with Four Hundred Horse, was rudely handled at the first Charge; Dandelot did se∣cond him, but yet at the second which was much fiercer, he was beaten off his Horse and taken.

In the mean while the Royalists having made themselves Masters of Bassac, the Admiral sent word to the Prince who was retreating with his Van-Guard, that he wanted his presence, and the Prince who never ••an from danger, came back upon a round Trot. He fell stoutly upon the first he met; but when all the Kings Army was come up, he was surrounded. His Horse being wounded, fal∣ling under him, he presented his Gantlet to a Couple of Gentlemen, Argence, and Sainct Jean, who gave him their Faith. Having set him down at the Foot of a Bush (his Leg being broken with a kick of a Horse) comes Montesquiou upon a hand Gallop, Captain of the Duke of Anjou's Guards, who had left his Master to do this worthy exploit, and kills him with his Pistol.

This act which in the midst of the Scuffle would have appeared brave, being done in cold blood, was looked upon by good Men as an execrable parricide, and worthy the punishment due to such as attempt any of the Royal blood. The Duke of Anjou neither blamed nor owned it; but suffer'd the Princes Corps to be carried, whether by chance, or in derision, upon a she Ass to Jarnac. He after∣wards gave it to the Prince of Bearn, his Nephew who caused it to be Interred in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors at Vendosme.

After his death the Royalists gave the Huguenots chace till Night approached, but there being none but the Cavalry engaged the Slaughter was not so conside∣rable as the Victory. There fell not above Six Hundred of the Princes Party, amongst whom were above an Hundred Gentlemen, and Twelve or Fifteen Lords. The number of Prisoners did far exceed the Slain. The Royalists lost about two or three Hundred of theirs, whereof seven or eight were Persons of Note. The Admiral and his Brother, with the Horse of that Battalion he Commanded, di∣rected

their Course toward Sainct Jean d'Angeli, and got thither the same day. [Year of our Lord 1569] The Infantry without sustaining any damage, soon passed over the River at Jar∣nac, and breaking down the Bridge, from thence retired to Cognac.

To the same place came the other Commanders, with the broken Remnants of the Horse that were left of the Van and the Rear-Guards. The Queen of Navarre a Princess endowed with Courage above her Sex, came thither likewise with great speed, bringing the Prince of Bearn her Son with her, as also the El∣dest Son of the Deceased Prince of Condé; both were named Henry. Her gene∣rous exhortations, and the presence of those two Princes, did somewhat revive their shaken resolutions and drooping Courage.

[month March.] Two dayes after, this Queen and the Chiefs going to Saintes, Coligny and his Brother came to them, and there it was resolved they should refresh themselves and wait the success of the Sieges of Cognac and Engoulesme, wherewith the Duke of Anjou had threatned them.

The noise of this Battel of Jarnac was much greater than the advantage. The King arose at Mid-night to have the Te Deum Sung, gave notice of it to all the Neighbouring Princes, and sent the Colours they had taken from the Huguenots to his Holiness, as if they had fought his Battels. The Duke of Anjou, though Conqueror, met with such as knew how to deal with him, he attaqu'd Cognac in vain, where they had Seven Thousand Men in Garrison, and the Intelligence he thought would have prevailed in Engoulesme failed his purposes. So that he with∣drew into Perigord, to maintain his Forces; and this was about Mid-April. Blaise de Montluc, and Francis d'Escars had besieged Mucidan: he sent Brissac thither, who redoubled the Assaults, but was unfortunately Slain there. As the Lord de Pampadour his Friend, had been some dayes before. The Place Surrendred upon Composition, which was but ill observed: for the death of those two brave Lords had so enraged the Catholick Soldiers, that violating the Faith of the Trea∣ty, they reveng'd it by the Massacre of the whole Garrison. These cruel In••ideli∣ties were much used during this whole War.

At this very time, Dandelot having a little refreshed the Huguenot Forces, who were yet near Four Thousand Horse, besides their Foot, made an incursion by Poiton, as far as Clisson. At his return he was seized with a Pestilential Fea∣ver, whereof he died at Saintes. The Princes gave the Command of Collonel of the Foot to James de Crussol Daceir, the King did the like to Philip de Strossy, Son of Peter, who had been Mareschal of France, and was near of kinn to the Queen Mo∣ther.

The last day of February the Duke of Deux-Ponts parted from Savarna, and had taken his March by Alsatia and Lorrain: he had Seven Thousand Five Hundred Reistres, and Six Thousand Lansquenets; William of Nassaw, Prince of Orange, whom the Duke of Alva had thrust out of Flanders, and Lewis his Brother, came and joyned him with some Troops of Horse, and Fifteen or Twenty French Cap∣tains of Daufiné, with Six Hundred Horse, and Eight Hundred Ʋrquebusiers they had pick'd up about Strasburgh.

The Duke d'Aumale finding he was unable to make head against him, follow∣ed him in the Rear almost as far as Cisteaux. When they had pass'd the Saone at Montier, he left them that he might get before them and wait their passage over the Loire, where he was to joyn the Duke of Anjou's Army which lay at Gien. But the Duke des Deux ponts * 1.33, passed it at a Foord near Pouilly, and also took the Town de la Charité, a place very weak in those dayes, but of great Importance, upon the same River.

As soon as the Admiral knew he had passed the River, he drew out a Party of his Forces to go and meet him, having left the care of all Affairs in Guyenne to la Noüe, and sent Montgommery into Gascongne, as well to reconcile the Vicounts, whom the ambition of Command had set at variance, as to stop the Progress Montluc and Terride were making in Bearn. The Queen of Navarre had inveig∣led all that Country to be of the New Religion. She pretended to be absolute Soveraign there, and yet many of the Nobility adhered rather to the King, than to her.

The Duke of Anjou in the mean time advanced to Limoges, and placed Guards upon all the Passages of Vienne; but the Forlorn of the Duke de Deux-ponts Marched over the Bellies of them. Thus after a three months March, this Ar∣my of Strangers Arrived in Safety; but the Duke des Deux-ponts who was very corpulent, and labouring under the reliques of a Quartan-Ague, died at Nessun,

[Year of our Lord 1569] within three Leagues of Limoges, the Eighteenth day of June. By his Will he left the Conduct of his Forces to Volrad Mansfeld; and within four dayes after they were joyned in a body with the Admirals.

The two Armies being near, that of the Princes, about Saint Yrier, the Duke of Anjou's at Roche-labelle, they had so great a Skirmish, as had almost engaged them to a general Battel. On the Royalists side, Strossy was taken Prisoner, Ro∣quelaure, and Saint Leu, two valiant Captains were kill'd, with four Hundred of their Men. After which the Duke of Anjou put his Army into Garrisons, and discharged the Nobility, with Orders to return again about Mid-Au∣gust.

During all which time, there hapned nothing Remarkable but the Siege of Niort, by the Count de Lude, Governor of Poitou, and of la Charité by Sansac, where neither of them gained any thing but blows: but Teligny seized upon Cha∣steleraud, and forced the Castle of Luzignan, no less Famous for the Fables of Mellusine, then for the reputation it had of being impregnable.

[month June, &c.] During this time, Montgomery was sent into Bearn, to recover it for the Queen of Navarre: for the Count de Terride had very near subdued it all. Having therefore gotten some Forces together in Languedoc, passed the Garonne and Ariege, surprised the City of Tarbes in Bigorre, he entred that part of the Coun∣try where Terride at that time Besieged Navarrins. At the Noise of his approach, Terride makes up his Bundle, and retires to Ortez: Montgomery besieges him there, and forces him to Surrender. He had four Barons of that Country with him, Saincte Colombe, Pordeac, Goas, and Favas, who were comprised in the Capitula∣tion; but Montgommery caused them all to be Poniarded, having more regard to the Orders Queen Jane had given him to use them as Traytors, than to his own Honour and Faith.

But for the discord which was between Terride and Montluc, and between the latter, and Danville Governor of Languedoc, he had not entred so easily into that Country, or at least had never got out again. However Montluc not to re∣main idle, borrowed some Companies of Danville, with which together with those la Valette had Raised, he forced the City of Mont de Marsan, where ano∣ther Favas Commanded, a Native of S. Macaire. Whilst this Captain was Treat∣ing with him, he caused the Castle to be stormed on the back part, and put all to the Edge of the Sword, in revenge for the death of the Four Barons.

After the taking of Luzignan which was followed by that of S. Maxian, and Mirebeau, the Admirals thoughts were to seize upon Saumur, which he would fortifie to have that convenient passage on the Loire, and carry the War the fourth time to the Gates of Paris. Unfortunately for him, he changed his de∣sign, and besieged Poitiers a great City, above two Leagues in circumference. The young Duke of Guise whom the Duke of Anjou had sent to succour Luzig∣nan, puts himself into it with the Marquiss de Mayenne* 1.34 his Brother, and great numbers of the Nobility, and gained to himself no less Glory than his Father had done formerly by defending the City of Mets. The Count de Lude Gover∣nor of Poitu, was likewise gotten in with six thousand Soldiers; but there were very little Stores and Provisions, for so many Mouths.

The Siege began the five and twentieth of July, the Attaques the Besiegers made upon them did not give them so much trouble, as the want of Food, Forrage, and Mills did put them to. In the mean time Montluc having drawn his Forces together, laid Siege to Chastelleraud to make a diversion. The Admiral was glad of such a fair pretence to raise his Siege from before Poitiers, where he lost both his time and reputation. He decamped the seventh day of September, and approaching near Chastelleraud, put in four hundred Arquebusiers, who entred by the Bridge conducted thither, and cover'd by the Cavalry of his Van-Guard.

Upon his Arrival the Catholicks drew off their Cannon, and afterwards their Men with so much diligence, that their Army was lodged at la Celle, which is six Leagues from thence; and on the other side la Creuse, before he knew they moved, he follow'd with a resolution to attaque them; but finding them in a Lodgment where he could not bring up his Cannon by reason of the Marshes he repassed the Creuse and Vienne, and came and lodged at Fae la Vineuse.

When Monsieur had remained fifteen days at Celles and Chinon, and his Forces (whom he had given leave till the fifteenth of October, and those of Poitiers whom

the Duke of Guise had refreshed in Tourain) were returned to his Camp: he [Year of our Lord 1569] passed the Vienne drawing towards Loudun: As soon as the Admiral had notice thereof, he decamped from Faye, and went towards Mirebeau. Mon∣sieur instead of following him, gets before, and taking a cross way, meets him near Montcontour, which i•• a Castle upon a high Ground, with a small Town lying on the descent, at the foot of which Hill runs the River of Diue, scarce for∣dable though but narrow.

Betwixt this River and that of La Thoüe, the Admiral had encamped his Ar∣my, extending it a little more towards the small City of Ervaux, about two Leagues thence. Monsieur having passed over above the head of the Diue, the two Armies put themselves in Battalia with intention to fall on. That of the Hu∣guenots was led to fight by necessity and dispair, the tedious length of the War being ruinous to their Families & to their Party; that under Monsieur out of a de∣sire of gaining honour, & because they reck'ned themselves the third part stronger.

With these intentions they were ranged in those fair and spacious Plains, in∣tersected with several Valleys, and rising Grounds, which are of much use in a day of Battel. It is observed, that the Ground the Catholick Army stood on was called Champ-Papaut, and that which the Huguenots possess'd, Champ Pied∣griss. Both the one and the other, although they had divided their Armies into Van-Guard and Batalia's, had notwithstanding disposed their Men in such sort, that they might all fight at the same time.

The Engagement began about eight in the morning, upon a Monday the third of October, and lasted two hours. The flight of the French Foot on the Huguenots side, the ill condition their Horse were in, the good order Tavanes put Mon∣sieurs Army in, and the Valour of the French Nobility who accompanied that young Prince, gave the Catholicks an entire Victory. Their Enemies lost only three hundred of their Horse, but with them four thousand Lansquenets, and five thousand of their French Infantry, almost as many Camp-Boyes, all their Ar∣tillery, and the greatest part of their Baggage, without which an Army can scarce subsist long. The Lords de la Noüe and Dacier were taken Prisoners. On the Catholick side few of their Foot were slain, but above six hundred Horse most of them Reisters. Almost as many were wounded. The Admirals German Horse, conducted by the Counts Ludovic and Mansfeld retreating in excellent order, stopt the pursuit of the Catholicks, and got to Ervaux, and from thence to Par∣thenay, which is six great Leagues from Montcontour. They arrived there at ten a Clock that night, and the day following went to Niort.

The Wisdom and Courage of the Admiral never shewed it self so much as in times of adversity: the greatest difficulties enlightned him, and dangers made him become more firm. Besides that great shock, which would have made any other let go the helm, he had reason to expect attempts against his own person from all hands: the Parliament of Paris had Condemned him to death, and pro∣mised to those that could bring him before them either alive or dead, fifty thousand Crowns in Gold for a reward, which should be paid by the Town-Hall of Paris▪ The Vidame of Chartres and the Earl of Montgommery, were also condemned to lose their Heads, and all three Executed in Effigie at the Greve. About that time a discovery was made that one of his Valets de Chambre, named Dominique d'Al∣va, would have poyson'd him; The wretch was hanged, with a Writing which sti∣led him, Betrayer of the Cause of God, his Country and his Master.

The same night the Battel was lost, having held a Council with his Officers, he sent to the Princes of Germany, the Queen of England, and the Swiss, giving them an account of what had passed, diminishing the loss as much as he well could, and craving assistance both of Men and Money, because upon their suc∣cess depended the welfare of all other Protestants. These orders dispatched, he retired towards Niort to refresh his Men in Saintonge, the Countries of Aunis, and Gascongne, making account to provide the places so well in those Countries, as should hold the Royal Army in play, and allow him time to recruit his own.

The King did not wholly succeed as he projected: for the Garrisons in Poitou finding themselves at too great a distance from any relief, agreed together to retire, crossed over Berry, and went to la Charité upon the Loire, which Sansac had Besieged two several times in vain. The Baron de Mirembeau surrendred Luzignan upon composition, Partenay was abandoned, soon after the Army was gone thence, and Niort likewise, when the Lord de Mouy who undertook to defend it, was slain by a Pistol-shot discharged at him by Francis de Louviers

[Year of our Lord 1569] * 1.35 Moreuel. This devoted Assassin went from the Catholick Camp to the Hugue∣nots to kill the Admiral, and not finding an opportunity, would needs execute it upon this unfortunate Lord, and then made his escape to the Duke of Anjou as then at Chandenier.

The Protestant Forces who retired to la Charité, had accommodated them∣selves with divers little places in Berry and Nivernois, nay even in Soulogne and Beausse, whereby they commanded all the roads of Lyons, Paris, and Orleans. Those of Languedoc and Daufiné, had cantonized themselves in Auvergne at Orillac. Some of their Commanders had surprized Nismes in Languedoc, by an Aqueduct, the Grate whereof they broke open, and others in Burgundy were be∣come Masters of the City de Vezelay by means of scaling-Ladders which they set up just at the break of day, the most opportune and dangerous hour for at∣tempts of that kind. Sansac Besieged them twice in the last, but without success.

The best counsel the Catholicks could take after the Battel of Montcoutour, was to pursue the Princes Forces without intermission, and so utterly disperse and break them: but that old Maxim, That we must leave no Garrison of the Ene∣mies behind, being not well understood, made Monsieur fall upon the Siege of Saint Jean d'Angely, the loss of which he imagin'd would be the ruine of the Huguenots in all those parts. Captain Piles of the House of Clermont was in the place with many of the bravest Officers, and Two Thousand Soldiers. The Siege being formed, the King came to the Camp upon the sixteenth of Octo∣ber.

The resolution, the valour, and the indefatigable labour of the besieged, ren∣dred the place much more difficult to be gained than its fortifications; at first no∣thing less was talked of, but putting all those to the Sword that were within; But when upon several assaults they found it would cost them too much time and blood to get it by force, they offer'd them conditions, to which they refu∣sing to give any ear unless upon a general Treaty, they began one, and imme∣diately news was sent to all the neighbouring Protestant Princes, that the Peace was concluded and even ratified, thereby to hinder those Levies they had com∣manded for their assistance, and to allay the heat of such as were cantonized in the Provinces.

They perceived the craft of it at the very first beginning of the Treaty, foras∣much as it was plainly declared the King could grant them only a liberty of Con∣science, and not the exercise of their Religion. And at the same time they in∣tercepted Letters, written by the Cardinal de Lorrain to Paris; which imported that they had undertaken this Treaty only to amuse them in expectation of an Answer from the Pope and the King of Spain.

All the defence of the place was on the Land-side, the besieged half dead with over-labour, and their Ammunitions spent; they could hold out no longer, yet thought it no way safe to surrender themselves: so that they had resolved to ••alley out by night, and force through the Enemies Guard to get to Angoulesme, or lose their lives in the attempt. But the Catholicks were yet more tyred and sick then they of this Siege which had lasted two Months, and by Sword or Sickness had destroy'd them above Ten Thousand Men; amongst others Sebastian de Luxemburg Count de Martigues who was kill'd in the Trenches by a Musquet∣shot.

They therefore renewed the Propositions of Capitulation. The besieged had some confidence in Biron Mareschal des Camps for the King, who was a Hugue∣not by inclination, but a Catholick for his interest. It was agreed they should go forth Bag and Baggage, with their Horse and Arms, and Ensigns furled, that they should be convoy'd into a place of safety, whither themselves should choose, but not bear Arms against the King in four Months time. There Marched out but only eight hundred Foot and one hundred Horse. The Duke of Aumale's Forces having plundred them, though it were in a Military fury, and wholly against the Officers wills, who could not possibly prevent it; yet this infraction gave Piles a fair pretence to hold himself quit of the Capitulation, and immediately put him∣self into Angoulesme.

[month November.] Nothing therefore was left the Huguenots in Poitou and Saintonge but Angoulesme and Rochel. They found themselves beset in the last after they had taken the Islands about it, with Marans and Beauvoir; and the place it self was put to great inconveniencies by Sea, as well as by Land; the Baron de la Garde having brought eight Galleys thither from the Levant Seas. Nevertheless they recover'd

themselves by means of their Ships and Piracies, also by the presence and courage [Year of our Lord 1569] of la Noüe, and the Count de la Rochefoucaud; so that they regained Marans, Lucon, and the Sands d'Olone, where they found a rich Booty, and afterwards ran over all Poitou. To put some stop to them, the King was forced to send Puy-Galliard Governor of Angers thither with a small Army.

[month October.] When the Catholicks laid their Siege to Saint Jean d'Angely, the Admiral who had appointed the rendezvous for his Forces near Saintes, parted from thence the eighteenth of Oc••ober, resolved to go into Bearn to joyn Montgommery's to his own, afterwards to pass thorough Gascongne and Languedoc, ascend into Dau∣finé and Vivarets, where Montbrun and some other Chiefs of that Party had pro∣mised him considerable recruits of Arquebusiers, then passing by Burgundy come to la Charité, and maintain'd himself as well as he could till the Arrival of the Re∣isters and the Lansquenets, which he expected from the Count Palatine, and the Prince of Orange. This latter had left the Army a long while before the Battel of Montcontour, to go into Germany and hasten those new Levi∣es.

[month November.] They passed the little River of Drone near Brantolme, that of ••'Isle near Mucidan, the Veser over the Bridge that bears the same name, then the Dordogne at Bourg which they surprised, deceiving d'Escars who had lined all the Shoar with Soldiers, and the Lot at Cadenac; so that they arrived in the neighbour∣hood of Montauban about Mid-November, where they refreshed themselves some days, and met with some Money which had been gathered for the Cause, as well out of the Plunder of Churches, and ransom of Prisoners, as the collected contribution of their Brethren. With this they paid the Reisters some Must∣ers.

Towards the end of November, they made themselves Masters of the Passage over the Garonne by taking of Aiguillon, which is on the confluence of the Lot, with that River. The disagreement that continued between Danville Governor of Languedoc, and Montluc Lieutenant for the King in Guyenne, proceeding from the haughtiness of the first, and the incompatable and tetchy humour of the second, gave them fair play in those Countries. And indeed, they had de∣signed to take an opportunity by this devision to seize upon Guyenne and the Ci∣ties above the Garonne and the Dordogne, even Bourdeaux it self: but Montluc having made them lose a great deal of time, by breaking down a Bridge they had set up near Aiguillon, they changed their design. The Method Montluc did take to execute so important a piece of Service, was, by letting loose some Mill-Boats that were chained to the sides of the River, and suffering them to drive down with the stream; The force thereof was so violent that it broke down the said Bridge.

When the Huguenots had rebuilt a new one, and Montgommery who was at Condon, rich with the spoil of Gascongny and Bearn, had joyned them, they As∣cended along the River Garonne, and lodged themselves in the Neighbourhood of Toulouze. They set fire to all the Farms and Counsellors houses thereabouts, in whose Ashes the Soldiers with flaming Fire-brands wrote Revenge for Rapin * 1.36. The terrour of these dreadful Incendiaries, and the incursions they made to the very Suburbs▪ struck that great City with amazement and horrour, Joyeuse who was within with eight thousand new raised Men, not being able to dispel their fears, nor daring to stir out of the Town.

[Year of our Lord 1570. January.] From thence being strengthned with three hundred Horse brought from Ro∣chel by Piles, they Marched farther into Languedoc. Being near Castres they met with five or six hundred Horse more which came from the same place, con∣ducted by Baudiné and Renty, who were weary of staying at Rochel without Pil∣lage. They drew near the foot of the Pyreneans, whence they brought some Companies of Bandits, then coasting along the Sea-side they repassed the Aude, not far from Narbonna, and rested in those Countries till the end of January. Afterwards they directed their March by Beziars, Pezenas, and Montpellier, whose Garrison gave a check to some of their Men that came too nigh. La Loüe their Field Marshal was kill'd as he lay fast asleep in a Lodgment.

They after this went to besiege Lunel, whence they were repulsed, took up at Nismes both Money and refreshments, from that place Marched towards the Vivarets, reposed themselves for some days at Aubenas, passed the Rhosne by Pousin which they held, and under the favour of a Fort, which Montbrun (sent before by the Princes for that very purpose) had built on the other Shoar, then coasting

[Year of our Lord 1570] along that River they in vain Attaqued Montelimar, and having sojourned a while in Daufiné, took their course towards the Country des Forés, where they surprised the City of Saint Estienne.

[Year of our Lord 1570. May, &c.] In this place the Admiral was taken sick of a Feaver which put him in great danger of his life, and staid them above three weeks there. When he began to recover, Saint John, younger Brother to Montgommery, seized the Bridge called Sainct Rambert upon the Loire, and Briquemaut sent by the Princes, brought them from la Charité fifteen Companies as well Foot as Horse, which made up fifteen hun∣dred Horse and two thousand Foot. Their Army being thus re-inforced descend∣ed into Burgundy, and having given the Allarm to Chalon, surprised Arnay le Duke by means of a long March they made in one day for that purpose.

The King's Council could never have believed it possible they should March securely by so many Cities, strong Forts, over Rivers, narrow steights in Moun∣tains, and such hilly and uncouth Countries; or that they could have the strength and good fortune to break thorough so many Garrisons of their Enemies and Multitudes of People risen up in Arms against them, who night and day lay in wait to destroy them, and at the same time endure the severity and inconvenien∣cies of a sharp and uncomfortable Winter, the difficulties of the ways, and the opposition of Seven or Eight Provinces. Besides they relied upon a Negociation for a Peace, to which end there was a perpetual sending backward and forward from the time of the Surrender of Saint Jean d'Angely: so that they were much amazed to find they were come so nigh and upon their March directly for Paris, threatning to execute the same vengeance as they had done in the Voicinage of Thoulouze. Then that peril they had neglected whilst they were in distant Pro∣vinces, appearing greater by how much nearer it approached, they gave Orders to the Mareschal de Cossé to draw the King's Forces together, and go forth to meet them.

In all this long and toilsome March, the Princes had maintain'd their Forces, as well by the plunder of above fifty small Towns which they had taken, and twice as many which they had ransomed, as by the reinforcements of Horse that came to them, and a great number of Arquebusiers of those Countries thorough which they Marched, serpenting and turning every way to receive such as desi∣red to joyn with them, and who being scatter'd here and there, could never of themselves have made their way thorough those Crowds of common people who rose up in Arms in every part against them.

But after all, they notwithstanding lost greater numbers than they could pick up: for those that had been in Poitou, as soon as they drew near their own habi∣tations retired thither and desired to stay at home both to repose themselves and to protect and defend their Families. The incommodities of the Winter, the fatigues of the March, the wants they met withal in their Lodgments or Quarters, where most commonly there was neither Bread nor Wine, (for the Peasants fled) the continual attempts made upon them by the Catholicks, not sparing so much as any one that stray'd never so little from the main Body, had made them lose above six thousand. Of five hundred English they had at first amongst them, but twelve were left, above the one half of their Reisters were dead, and the rest were most of them disarmed, for not being able to have Carriages in so tedious a March and thorough such rugged ways, the greater part had left their Corselets and Head-pieces behind them; with all their Horses; as likewise those that belonged to the French, were grown so poor and weak they could scarce support themselves. And as for the Foot, their condition was not much better, for a great part of them were but raw Soldiers (in those times they named them Bisongnes,) but they had this advantage, most of them were mounted upon little Naggs, that they might be enabled to make long Marches and yet be little tyred.

The Mareschal de Cossé having about Orleans drawn the Royal Forces together to the number of thirteen or fourteen thousand Men, passes the Loire at Desise and Marched directly towards the Princes, imagining that being so tatter'd and out of sorts as they were, he need but only attaque them, to defeat them. He soon changed his opinion, when he found upon a great Skirmish between the two Armies near Arnay le Duke, that they would put him to half the trouble at least. After this he would run no more hazards, but let them go quietly towards la Charité, contenting himself with coasting along by them upon the right hand.

During these times there were divers other exploits performed in the other parts of this Kingdom, but the most observable about Rochel. The Baron de la

Garde, Puy-Galliard, and Puy-Taillé, pressed mightily upon those that were re∣tired [Year of our Lord 1570] to that place. La Garde and Puy Taillé having besieged Rochefort situate upon the Avenues of the Islands, were drove thence by la Noüe; whom notwithstanding they soon afterwards forced to take shelter in Rochel. Afterwards Puy-Galliard with an Army of ten or twelve thousand Men, took all the Forts the Hugue∣nots had seized in Poitou after the surprizal of Marans; and to streighten them the more, he built one at Lucon upon the Avenue to the Marshes. La Noüe who understood the consequence immediately laid Siege to it, Puy-Galliard draws all his Men together again whom he had distributed in the higher Poitou, and Marches up to him, but loses the Battel between Sancte Gemme and Lucon.

La Noüe follows his blow, Besieges Fontenay, and receives it upon composition. He afterwards regains Oleron, Matennes, Soubize and Broüage. In those very days Broüage was of great importance for its situation upon a Canal very difficult to enter, and wholly surrounded by Salt-Marshes, which produce the greatest Riches of that Country; it was begun to be fortified by James de Ponts-Mi∣rembeau, who being Lord thereof, would have given it the name of Jacopoli. All the Catholicks of those quarters were forced to retire to Sainct John d'Angely: The Baron de la Garde having kept the Seas a while with his Galleys, brings them back into the River of Bourdeaux. To stop the further Progress of the Huguenots, it was resolved Prince Henry Daufin of Auvergne Son of Lewis de Bour∣bon Duke of Montpensier should go into that Country, and he was preparing himself for that expedition when the news of the Peace discharged him both from that trouble and expence.

The Army of the Princes had passed the Loire and advanced towards Paris, between Montargis, Bleneau, and Chastillon sur Loing. The King's was come to the Valley of Aillan as it were to stand betwixt them and home, and barricade the way to Paris: when after a Truce of some days, the Negociation for a Peace often broken, and as often renewed again, finally succeeded to a Treaty of Peace; which was concluded the fifteenth of August, notwithstanding the Re∣monstrances [month August.] and great Offers made by the King of Spain to obstruct it; for he apprehended least after a Peace, the two Armies should be United to fall upon the Low-Countries.

The King, the Queen his Mother, the Princes of the Blood, those of the Council, and all the Grandees about him, swore to it solemnly at Saint Ger∣main en Laye. On the Huguenots part, Beauvais la Nocle was dispatch'd to carry the News to Rochel and Guyenne, and Teligny to the Army; where it was Pro∣claimed the one and twentieth of the Month, and sworn to by all the Protestant Nobility expresly assembled. Five days after it was so likewise in the Catholick Army which Marched towards Lorrain to Convoy the Germans home again and dismiss them. That of the Princes went as far as Langres, when they caused theirs to be conducted to Pot a Mouson by the Marquiss de Renel: they then re∣turned towards la Charité, and from thence crossing Linosin and Angounois, they proceeded to Rochel, having Count Ludovic with them.

That which was most particular in this Edict, besides the Articles in the for∣mer, was, That they allowed them to Preach in the Suburbs of two such Cities as should be Assigned them in each Province; That they should be admitted in∣differently in the Universities, Schools, Hospitals and Spittles; as also in all publick Offices, Royal, Seigneurial, and belonging to Cities and Corporations. Moreover, that they should have the Liberty to except against an Appeal from a certain number of Judges in all Parliaments, in some more, in others fewer, and generally from the whole Parliament of Thoulouze, to the Requests of the Hostel, who should be Soveraign Judges in those Cases; That to take away all possible suspition, doubt or jealousie, they should keep as Pawns for security in their own hands, the Cities of Rochel, Montauban, Cognac, and la Charité, upon condition the two Princes and twenty Gentlemen with them would oblige them∣selves joyntly, and swear to surrender them up in the same condition at the expi∣ration of two years. It was likewise stipulated that they should restore to the Prince of Orange and Ludovic his Brother, the Principality of Orange, and all other the Lands belonging to them in France, together with all their Titles and Writings that had been taken from them.

The reasons that enclined the Huguenots to this Peace were manifest, the long and tedious absence from their Families, the eminent and perpetual dangers they were in, the utter ruine of their Estates and Goods, as well by the Invasions of

[Year of our Lord 1570] the Catholicks, as the expences themselves were at to maintain the War, their Dwellings exposed to Plunder and Firings, their Wives and Children to Af∣fronts and Massacres with this their ill fortune which had ever disappointed them in their great enterprizes. And in fine, the cutting reproaches to all that were honest amongst them, for flying out so often to Rebellion against their Soveraign, and being looked upon and accounted the glowing Fire-brands of their Native Country.

The Motives which led the Court to this agreement, were variously guessed at and talked of. The Queen-Mother would have it believed that she had consi∣der'd the prayers of the Princes of Germany, and the Emperor's Advice. Some fancied she made this Peace, that she might have leisure to think upon the Mar∣riage of her Son; others that she condescended to it out of the jealousie she had to find the Spaniard concerned himself so much in the Affairs of France, not as a friend only, but as one interessed, and apprehensive that having subdued the Low-Countries, he might endeavour to bind the French in the same Fetters. Many believed with good probability, that this Princess a great lover of Diver∣tisements and Pleasures, was quite wearied with such continual troubles and melan∣choly consultations, and the eternal danger she was in.

And indeed, never any one that was more fond of, or did more delight in the soft Past-times of the Galanteries, Dancing, Hunting, Feasting, and all sorts of Sports than she. Wherever she went, she always carried a compleat Equipage of the most voluptuous Divertisements in her Train, and particularly two or [✚] three hundred of the most beautiful Women of her Court, who drew a Pack of twice as many Courtiers after them. In the mid'st of the greatest Embrass of War and Affairs, the Balls and Musick must be sure to go on, says Montluc. The sound of the Violins must not be stifled by the Martial Trumpet, the same Teams dragg'd along the Machines for their Plays, and their Engins for War; and in the same Lists were to be seen the Sons of Mars cutting each others Throats, and the fair Off-Spring of Venus at their Carousels where the Ladies freely tasted every pleasure.

Others more penetrating believed that her designs tended to disarm the Hugue∣nots, tyred with the miseries of War, and by degrees calm and lay all their jealou∣sies asleep, that they might the more easily be led into their snares which time and opportunity might direct her to contrive hereafter for them, if perhaps she had not long before resolved which way to bring it about. The event seems to confirm this suspicion, though it is very probable that the many Accidents, diffe∣rent Interests, and various Humours and Minds of those that contributed to such a terrible Council, made them often shift and change their Methods and Reso∣lutions.

She had two excellent Lures to deceive and decoy the Queen of Navarre and the Admiral, and consequently the whole Party; I mean a War against the Spa∣niards in the Low-Countries, which all the Huguenot Chiefs blindly gave credit to, because they desired it with passion; and the Marriage of Margaret the Kings Si∣ster with Henry Prince of Navarre. This last had been already propounded, but the great Love the Duke of Guise had for that Princess was some obstacle. The King who was extream Cholerick and Violent, having observed it, commanded Henry d'Angoulesme his bastard Brother to kill him, when he went out to Hunt; the Duke having a hint of it, was advised to avoid the anger of the King by Mar∣rying at soonest, as he did, with Catherine de Cleves, Widdow of Anthony de Croüy Prince of Portian.

Some Months before Lewis de Vourbon Duke of Montpensier, had for his Second Wife Married in the City of Angers, Catherine Sister to that Duke. The Cardinal de Lorrain negotiated this Alliance to gain the said Prince, who before was much an Enemy to their House, though at the same time he had a mortal Aversion to the Huguenots.

It was high time likewise to Marry the King who was in his One and twenti∣eth year. His Mother with vast and Chimerical designs rowling in her Head, had some thoughts, thereby to acquire the Kingdoms of Scotland and England, of getting for him Mary Stuard his Brothers Widdow. Then finding Affairs did not succeed well with her, she next made her Address to gain Queen Elizabeth for him, and propounded a League with her in Order to a Conquest of the Low-Countries. This Negotiation lasted near two years, at the end whereof, Elizabeth having made answer, That the King was too great and too little, That is to say, too

great a King to go and dwell in England, and too young for her who was Eight [Year of our Lord 1570] and Thirty years old, the Queen cast her Eyes upon another Elizabeth, daugh∣ter of the Emperor Maximilian II. a good and virtuous Princess, but whose In∣nocency, for she was scarce 16, and whose Simplicity could create no jealousie in her.

The Match had been propounded the foregoing Year. The Marriage being contracted by Proxy, he sent his two Brothers, and with them the Duke of Lor∣raine, the Duke of Guise and of Aumale to receive his Spouse at Sedan, and him∣self went to Mezieres where the Archbishop of Trier put her into his Hands. The next day being the Six and Twentieth of November, the Nuptials were Ce∣lebrated in the same place.

At his return from thence being at Chantilly, he gave Audience to the Ambas∣sadors of the Protestant German Princes, who came to Congratulate with him, for the Peace he had granted his Subjects, and to exhort him to maintain it, shewing him plainly by many reasons and examples the Errour and mistake of those who aver, that the Calm of Peace and a diversity of Religions are incom∣patible, and cannot be maintained or made to live quietly together in the same Kingdom.

With this year ended in Spain the War with the Moors, after it had lasted above three years. The obstinate remainders of the Moors mixed with some Jews, were re∣volted, and had created a King; then, he being Slain, another. The Marquises de Montdjeu, and de loz Velez Commanded in the beginning of this War: John of Au∣stria Bastard Son of Charles V. and then the Duke of Sesse continued it, and after∣wards Lewis Duke d'Arcos finished it. This last was the Chief of the House of Ponce de Leon.

[Year of our Lord 1570. and 71.] The Queen Mother had the Alliance with England much in her Head, or at least she feigned so, the better to lull and blind the Huguenots, and hinder Queen Elizabeth from lending them Assistance; She therefore makes a fresh overture of Marriage between that Princess, and her Second Son the Duke of Anjou. Now whatever intention she had, she neither spared cajolleries, nor addresses, nor ad∣vantageous offers to the Queen, nor caresses and presents to her Ministers to win their Hearts. They proceeded even to the Treating about the Conditions; there was but one they could not agree upon, that the Duke might have the exer∣cise of the Catholick Religion in England, at least in his own Chamber. This dif∣ficulty put the business to a stop till the Massacre on Saint Bartholomews, which broke it absolutely off.

In these years, 1570. and 71. was that memorable War between the Turks and the Venetians for the Island of Cyprus. Selin who succeeded Solyman his Father, ha∣ving a design to build some Mosques and some Hervan-Sarays or Hospitals, his Mu••ty had told him that he might not do it but with the Spoils conquer'd from some Christians. Consulting then which way he should bend his Force, the desire he had to possess a Coun∣try that produced excellent Wine, after which he was very Liquorish, made him de∣termine to Conquer the Island of Cyprus, which bears of the best in the World. His pretence to break with the Venetians who were in Possession, was that they allowed those Pirates to harbour in their Ports, who plyed and robbed upon the Coasts of Asia and Syria, and that their Governors did not shew him that respect they ought. He like∣wise added, as some kind of Title, which those Barbarians however do but little regard, that the Kingdom of Cyprus was a Dependance on that of Egypt, which his Predeces∣sors had Conquer'd from the Mamalukes.

The Bashaw Mustapha who Commanded Selim's Army, Landed on the Island with Fifty Thousand Men in the month of July, and laid Siege to Nicosia a Mediteranean City Seated at the Foot of the Mountains and very well Fortified. The Venetians set out an Hundred nimble Galleys and Eleven great ones: but the Plague having destroy∣ed above one half of their People that manned them, and the Bashaw Piali General of the Turkish Galleys, being in those Seas, they durst not go near the Island. So that af∣ter a Siege of Eight and Forty dayes, the City was taken, and Nicholas Dandolo who Commanded was Slain at the taking of a Fort. Mustapha ordered his head to be cut off, and planted upon the top of a Pike within sight of Famagusta.

In the mean time, Marc Antonio Colonna and Doria, this General of the King of Spain Galleys, the other of the Popes, had joyned the Venetian Armada; and lay

[Year of our Lord 1571] upon the Coasts of Caramania, together making up above Two Hundred Galleys and great Vessels: but Doria failed them at need, and upon the News of the loss of Nicosia, carried back his Fleet to the Kingdom of Naples.

In the following Spring, Famagusta, the Capital of Cyprus, and the best Port in the Island, was assaulted. Marc Antonio Bragadin defended it with extraordinary Va∣lour, and did not Surrender it till the utmost extremity. Mustapha enraged at his too long and too great resistance, satisfied his Faith, and cruelly caused him to be flea'd alive, after they had cut off his Nose and Ears. Bragadin appeared more invincible yet under his Torments than in his Fighting, and Triumphed over the Treachery and Cruelty of his more than brutish Enemy by his generous Sufferings.

At the instant pursuits of Pope Pius V. at length a League was concluded between him, the King of Spain, and the Venetians, their Vessels or Fleet together made up Two Hundred Twenty Five Galleys Sottili,* 1.37 Six Galleasses, and Twenty Five great Ships. Whil'st the Chiefs were contending with each other about Place and Authority, Famagusta was lost. Don John of Austria Bastard Son of the Emperor Charles V. Com∣manded the Forces of Spain, Marc Antonio Colonna the Popes, and Sebastian Venier those belonging to the Venetians. Don Juan was declared Generalissimo, and in his ab∣sence Colonna was tohave the same Authority. Venier having craftily engaged Don Juan to enter the Gulf of Lepanto, otherwise called the Gulf of Corinth, a famous Battel ensued, the most Memorable that ever the Christians Fought upon the Sea. It was with∣in the Streight between those little Islands named the Echinades, and the main land, some Threescore Miles off the Promontory Actium, so Famous by that Battel which de∣cided the Roman Empire, betwixt Octavius Caesar and Marc Antony. The Arm of the Almighty was stretched out against the Infidels, they were wholly vanquished. One Hundred and Seventeen of their Galleys taken, above Twenty sunk, Five and Twen∣ty or Thirty Thousand Men swallowed up in the Sea, near Four Thousand made Pri∣soners, all their Chief Commanders either Slain or Drowned, excepting the Bassa Per∣thaw who made his escape to Lepanto in a Skiffe, and old Louchali* 1.38 who got off with Two and Thirty Galleys. So great an advantage ought to have produced many others: but it was so ill pursued, by reason of the misunderstanding amongst the Confederate Christians, that the Venetians were at last constrained to have recours•• to the mercy of the Barbarians, and Treat a Peace with them.

[Year of our Lord 1571] After many Earth-quakes hapning in Tuscany and Lombardy, which almost wholly ruined the City of Ferrara, there followed most furious Floods of Waters in several Countries. The Rhosne quite drowned the Suburbs de la Guillotiere at Lyons, and its Streams by their rapid Violence, having torn away a Rock from the Mountain near the chops of the Sluce, made a Bank against themselves, which stopt their Passage, and forced them to flow back against the usual current, so that the Mills along that River had their Wheels turned the contrary way.

The Winter was so hard from the end of November in the Year 1570. till the end of February following, that during those three whole Months, it Froze the Rivers so much that they drove Carts upon them, and blasted the Fruit-Trees, even in Languedoc and Provence, killing their very Roots.

Notwithstanding the Edict of Pacification, new occasions of quarrel and strife arose every day between the Catholicks and the Huguenots, under colour of reme∣dying it, the King dispatched to Rochel the Mareschal de Crosse, and a Master of Requests, who conferr'd with the Heads of the Huguenots: but as it appeared after∣wards, it was but only to make them the more tame and gentle and confiding. And indeed at this very time were those two Baits thrown out above mentioned, the Marriage of the King's Sister with the Prince of Navarre, and the design of making War upon the Spaniards in the Low-Countries. The Admiral passionately desired it, as well to Revenge the affront he received at Saint Quentins, as to uphold the Protestants, and restore the Princes of Nassaw, that so they might be enabled to give each other mutual assistance.

These Seeds of deceit thus cunningly sown amongst them began to allay their Suspicions, the Huguenots Deputies followed Cossé to Court, and received all man∣ner of Satisfaction, though at that time the King's Council were framing a terri∣ble design, but he feigned a most profound Tranquility. The King made his En∣trance into Paris the Fifth day of February by Saint Denis Gate, without it, he on a Scaffold heard the Harangues of the Soveraign Companies, and Body of the Ci∣ty. The Twenty-Ninth of the same Month the Queen was Crowned at Saint Denis.

[Year of our Lord 1571] They went on in the mean while with the grand design of drawing the Hugue∣nots into the Trap, by all the alluring and specious semblances proper to decoy the most wary and jealous. They began kindly to use all such as they guessed to be joyned by Alliance, or Interest, or Amity with them, on the contrary they slighted and rejected all those that were their Enemies or suspected by them; Their Deputies carried back all the imaginable tokens of affection and good usage. The King interceded with the Duke of Savoy to restore those Lands belonging to Jac∣queline Countess d'Entremont, which that Duke had seized, because she Married the Admiral contrary to his Commands, being Widdow of Claude Batarnay Anton, who was Slain in the Battle of Dreux.

So many favours did a little startle the Admiral, he sends Count Ludovic of Nassaw to the King, to prie into his disposition and Treat concerning the Low-Country War. The King expresses an incredible Joy, and would needs have him come Incognito for fear of giving Jealousie to the Spaniards. He found the King at Fontenay in Brie, who welcomed him with a Thousand Caresses, pretended to lay open his whole Heart to him, and gave him up his Castle of Orange, where till that time, he had kept a French Garrison. And to succeed the better with the Admiral they made use of the Credit of Teligny his Son in Law towards him, a young Gentleman upon whom he had bestowed his Daughter meerly for the esteem he had of his great Wisdome.

Teligny therefore carried him word that the King had resolved to give his Si∣ster Margaret to the Prince of Navarre as a pledge of his promises to all the Huguenot Party, and that he had taken a Resolution to free himself from the Cap∣tivity of his Mother and his Brother the Duke of Anjou; against whom he had indeed conceived so much Jealousie, that he could endure him no longer. This Machine, as we may term it, drew in the Admiral, he came to Court in the Month of September, and with the greater boldness they being then at Blois, and [month September.] he permitted to come with Fifty Gentlemen his Friends well Armed. The King embraces him, kisses him, admits him into his Council, restores his Estate and Pensions to him, gives him an Hundred Thousand Livers in Consideration of his lost Household Goods, then at a Months end permits him to go and see his House at Chastillon.

At the same time the Cardinal his Brother then in England, preparing to take Shiping for his Return into France was Poysoned by one of his Valets de Chambre with a perfumed Apple. The discovery of which Crime came not to light till two years after, when the same Fellow being Surprized at Rochel where he ser∣ved as a Spy, was Condemned to be Hanged, and Confessed the Fact at the Gallows.

Scarce had the Admiral been five Weeks at Chastillon but the King sends him word his Presence was necessarily required to assist about the Treating of a League with England, and to renew the Alliance with the Protestant Princes of Germa∣ny. This second time he had yet a more favourable reception then at the for∣mer, they heap Caresses, Presents and other advantages upon him; The Cour∣tiers murmur'd at it, the Clergy trembled with indignation to behold him who had destroyed and burnt so many Churches, stand in the highest rank of Favour, the People cry'd out, the King was in the high Road to Huguenotism, and the Guises themselves, though they had a hand in the design, apprehended lest the King, who did not over-much love them, should turn all this dissimulation into a Storm that might at last fall on their Heads.

After he had sojourned for some time at Court, they gave him his Liberty to be gone for the second time, but the King Corresponded with him by daily Let∣ters, [month January. &c.] and took his Council in his most private Affairs. There was none now but the Duke of Anjou that made the Huguenots afraid, it hapned that to take a∣way those Jealousies and Suspicions the King had of him, and which might have produced most dangerous effects, the Queen Mother began her Practices to ob∣tain the Crown of Poland for him, which she undertook by the Advice and In∣trigues of Montluc Bishop of Valence. For although Sigismund Augustus their King was yet Living, it was time to think of another, he being very Infirm and having no Children.

When by many oblique turnings and windings they had Convey'd this News to the Huguenots Ears, they were wrapt with Joy, and assumed a much greater Confidence. Then the Queen of Navarre entirely satisfied and assured came to Court to make up the Match for her Son. Pope Pius V. to prevent this Mar∣riage

[Year of our Lord 1572] which he looked upon to be very prejudicial to the Catholick Religion, sent a Legate, who perswaded and disposed the King of Portugal to demand this Princess in Wedlock, and from thence passed into France to make that Pro∣position to the King, and to exhort him to enter into the League against the Turks.

The Portuguese put a just value upon this Alliance, and proceeding generous∣ly made known to the King that he desired no other Dowry, but only that he would renounce that with the Turks. The King made answer that he was en∣gaged elsewhere for the Marriage of his Sister; He excused himself likewise to the Legate upon all those other things the Holy Father demanded, but conjured him to assure his Holiness of his filial obedience, and gently squeezing his Hands added these words. O that I might be permitted to explain my self more!

At the same time Jane Queen of Navarre, over-perswaded by the Admiral who was but too much so himself, came to Court; It was then at Blois. The [✚] King and Queen strove to give her a more then ordinary Reception. After some debates concerning the Place, and the Ceremonies of the Marriage, and that Jane had consented it should be perform'd at Paris, in a certain form, not much dif∣fering from that of the Roman Church, the Articles were Signed the Eleventh day of April. There wanted nothing but the dispensation from Rome because of their near Parentage, to compleat the Nuptials.

Amidst these Transactions Ludovic returns to Court, he was more hugg'd and soothed then ever. The King promised him he would send the Admiral into the Low-Countries with a powerful Army, there was a division made of those Pro∣vinces how they should be shared between France and the House of Nassaw; they drew together Six Thousand Soldiers, with a great Train of Artillery for that [month May and June.] Enterprise; they sent Strossy and the Baron de la Garde upon the Coasts of Bre∣tagne to hinder any Supplies that might come from Spain to the Duke of Alva; they dispatched the Mareschal de Montmorency into England to Treat about an Alliance with Queen Elizabeth, Schomberg into Germany to exhort the Protestant Princes, and Francis de Noüailles Bishop of Dags as Ambassador to Constantinople to stir up the Turks to fall upon the Coasts of Spain.

The Cardinal de Lorraine and the Cardinal de Pellevé were already gone to∣wards Rome, upon pretence of being there at the Election of a new Pope, for Pius V. died the first day of May. In his Life time he refused the dispensation for the Marriage of the Prince of Navarre, with Madam Margaret; Gregory XIII. his Successor, less rigid, or better inform'd, easily agreed to it. The Wed∣ding day was therefore assigned upon the first of June: but upon some difficulty started by the Cardinal de Bourbon, it was put off to the Eighteenth of August. In the mean time the Queen of Navarre having over-heated her self by hurrying about to get all things ready, hapned to die, not without suspicion of being poy∣son'd by a certain pair of scented Gloves she bought at a Perfumers, who was a Milanese and one of a very ill-favoured Reputation.

Though the Admiral held himself secure upon the faith and word of the King, he could not however resolve to expose himself in Paris to the Mercy of that populace furiously exasperated against him, and in the midst of his most mor∣tal Enemies. But here the last bait was made use of and proved so taking, he could notwithstand it. The King dismisses Prince Ludovic whom till then he had detained in Court, gives him a good round Sum of Money and two Officers of great Note, i. e. la Noüe and Genlis, who were in great Credit with the Admiral, to go and try whether by Intelligence they could secure some places of the Low-Countries. Ludovic Surprised Mons, la Noüe Valenciennes, whilst many o∣ther Cities in Holland and Zealand took part and stood up for the Prince of Orange.

He judging this to be certainly an open War between the two Crowns did no longer hesitate, but came to the King and into Paris, where hitherto he durst not trust himself. That which assured him more yet, was a permission allowed Genlis to Levy Four Thousand Men to go to the Relief of Mons. However they no sooner entred into Haynault but they were defeated, and their Leader taken by the treachery of the French themselves.

[month July.] The Admirals example drew all the other Lords into the Net. The King of Navarre and the Prince of Condé Arrived at Paris the Twentieth day of July, bringing a great Train of Noblemen with them, as well of such who desired to appear at the Nuptials of the first, as others who had been assistant at the Prince

of Conde's with Mary of Cleves, which was Celebrated in the Castle of Blandy near [Year of our Lord 1572] Melun. This Mary was one of the three Daughters of Francis de Cleves Duke of Ne∣vers, and Sister to the Dutchesses of Nevers and Guise.

The exceeding Caresses they made them were so extravagant and so visible; that if God had not blinded both their Eyes and their understandings, they might easily have perceived those Knives they were every hour whetting to cut their Throats. The Rochellers sent Messenger after Messenger to advise the Admi∣ral he were best to withdraw himself out of that Gulf of Paris, that it was a tempting of God too far by confiding in a King who was violent and passionate even to the height of fury, and an Italian Woman, who had endeavour'd the de∣struction of all that was great in the Kingdom. But he replied that he would soon∣er resolve to be dragg'd thorow the dirt and mire of Paris, then by his leaving it give any the least occasion for a fourth Civil War. It was upon the same foot of Resolution that he stood up so obstinately for the Surrender of the Four Places of Security above three Weeks before the Term was expired. There was only Ro∣chel that refused to obey, under pretence of their Priviledges. The Mareschal de Montmorency much clearer sighted then the Admiral, feigned himself sick and dis∣ordered with his England Voyage, and obtained leave to retire to his House at Chantilly.

The King of Navarre was betroathed the Seventeenth of August, and Marri∣ed the day following: the Cardinal of Bourbon tyed the Nuptial knot on a Scaf∣fold erected before the Church Door of Nostre-Dame, according to a Form a∣greed upon betwixt them. The said King having Conducted his Mistriss into the Quire, by a Gallery made purposely thorow the body of the Church, retired while they were saying Mass. When that was ended he returned, and having [month August.] kiss'd his new Spouse, led her into the Bishops Palace where Dinner was prepa∣red for them. Four dayes were spent in Feastings, Turnaments and Balets or Dancing, where the King and Queen appeared so busie that they had scarce time to s••eep.

But during all this loud noise of Voices and Violins they deliberated on what manner to execute their bloody Butchery▪ What the first Project was in the Kings Council is not well known, amongst whom were the Queen Mother, the Duke of Anjou, the Count de Rais, and Birague Keeper of the Seals, (for Morvilliers to whom they were given in Custody when they dismissed the Chancellor de l'Hospi∣tal, had discharged himself of them into his hands)

It is said the first Resolution for this Massacre, chiefly upon the Instance of the Duke of Guise, and his Partisans, was taken at Blois in the very Chamber where that Duke himself was Massacred Fifteen years after▪ and that some diffi∣culties arising they held another Council in the House of Gondy at Saint Cloud, whereat the Duke of Anjou presided, who afterwards (being King Henry III.) was unhappily Murthered in the very same place, and as some affirm upon the very same day.

The Queen Mothers aim was quite different from the Kings, and from that of the Guises; it was believed that Vindicative Woman, with the Count de Rais her intimate Counsellor, had a Prospect far beyond theirs. For she thought, that by causing the Admiral to be assassinated (which the two other Councils had re∣solved) the Montmorency's would stand up to revenge that Injury, and fall fowl upon the Guises, whom they would certainly Judge to be the Authors of it; That these two Parties should be left to grapple with each other; Then when good store of Blood had been drawn and either had half destroyed the other, the King should Salley out of the Louvre with his Guards, and exterminate them both, as Seditious Traytors; That after he had thus destroy'd them he would remain ab∣solute Master, Reign according to his own fancy, and set himself above all Laws of the Kingdom.

Now whether this were true, or no, that Morevel who had before Assassina∣ted the Lord de Moüy, was employ'd to make away the Admiral. On Friday the Two and Twentieth of August he posted himself for this purpose at the Cloister S. Germain de l'Auxerrois in a Chamber of the House belonging to Peter Pile o•• Villemur a Canon of that Church, and who had been Tutor to the Duke of Guise. He takes his stand and fits his gears at a low Window that was barr'd with Iron and faced the Street called des Fossez S. Germain; and as the Admiral came from the Louvre on Foot, and was going to his own House in the Street de Betizy, walking slowly, because he was reading some Papers, he made a Shot at him

[Year of our Lord 1572] with an Arquebuse, one Bullet breaking a Finger of his Right Hand, and ano∣ther grievously wounding him in the left Arm. The execution done he flies by a Door from the Cloister, upon a Horse lent him by one of the Duke of Guises men.

The King who was playing at Tenis with that Duke in the Louvre, falls into a rage, throws down his Racket and leaves off his play: but the Project did not take as they imagined, for the Admiral without shewing any great concern with∣drew to his own House, and neither the Huguenots, nor the Montmorencies ran to their Arms. The King of Navarre and the Prince only went to beseech the King he would give them leave to go out of Paris for their own Security: but both he and the Queen Mother plaid their Game so cunningly and cover'd the business so well with their deceitful pretences, promising to bring the Assassin to exem∣plary punishment, and naming Judges to take immediate Information, that it calm∣ed the just fears of those two young Princes, and obliged them to stay.

Afternoon the Admiral having Informed the King that he had somewhat to tell him which was not to be trusted to the knowledge of any other but himself alone, the King went to visit him at his House accompanied by the Queen Mo∣ther, the Duke of Anjou, Duke of Guise, Count de Rais, and some others. Af∣ter some general discourse, he entertained him near an hour, and seemed to take much delight in what he told him concerning the War of the Low-Countries; In fine he carried his dissimulation on so far that the Queen had some jealousie of their great Intimacy; and asked her Son what it was the Admiral had told him in private; to which he replied, with an Oath, that he had advised him to reign by himself, and make himself Master of all Affairs.

The same day, as if he had indeed earnestly desired to have the Assassin appre∣hended he caused all the Gates of Paris to be shut up, except two, and under colour of securing the Admiral from all popular Commotions and Attempts of his Enemies, Re-inforced his Life-Guards with Four Hundred Men, quarter'd his Regiment within the City, and gave charge to Cosseins, who was their Me∣stre de Camp, to set a Court of Guard of his best French Soldiers before the House of the Admiral, and another of Swiss within it. He had likewise wished all the Huguenot Gentlemen to Lodge thereabouts, and made the King of Navarre believe that he apprehended some rising on the Guisian part, for which reason he desired him and the Prince to come and remain in the Louvre with the bravest of their Men, to strengthen and defend him in Case of necessity.

The Admirals friends held divers Councils in his House upon the accident of his hurt: John de la Ferriere Vidame of Chartres had from the very first given his opinion that they should Convey him to Chastillon, and that they were yet strong enough to beat their way thorow the common Rabble before they were in Arms: but the Admirals repugnance, and the contrary Remonstrances of Teligny his Son in Law, who opposed every one that shewed the least suspition, or gave Coun∣cil tending to the securing themselves, made them lay aside those Resolutions. Now the Vidame, plainly perceiving by the muttering of the People and divers other Indications, that danger was very near at hand, returned once more to the charge, and insisted the more upon it, because the Admiral found himself some∣what better and might endure a Horse-Litter.

This was apparently that which hastned their ruine: for a Gentleman who was present at this Consult, went immediately to the Palace des Tuilleries to make his Report to the King, who had called his Council together in the Queen Mothers Closet. The Duke of Anjou, the Duke of Nevers, the Bastard d'An∣goulesme, the Keeper of the Seals Birague, the Counts de Tavanes and de Rais were of it. There upon the Report made by the Gentleman, it having been consider'd, that if the Admiral escaped, they should fall into greater perplexities then ever, it was concluded that both he and all the Huguenots should be dispatch∣ed, excepting the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde. It hath been said, that at the first they spake only of the Chiefs and principal Men; but that the King, after he was with much adoe perswaded to resolve upon it, added swear∣ing in his wonted manner; Well then, since it must be, I will not have one left alive to reproach me with it.

They then gave out Orders to Execute such their Resolution that same Night; and the Duke of Guise was made the Chief Manager, as well because the People had more Confidence in him, as because he was animated with the Resentment of the death of his Father, and had drawn together a great number of People

Armed for that purpose. Wherefore about Ten a Clock at Night he sends for [Year of our Lord 1572] the Swiss Captains of the Five little Cantons, and some of the French Companies, orders them to put themselves all in Armes, and to John Charon Prevost des Mar∣chands, as also to Marcel who was newly out of that Employment, to Arm the Citizens, and first draw them together within some Houses, then bring them in∣to the Market places, to light Flambeaus in all their Windowes, to wear a white Scarfe or Linnen on their left Arm, and a Cross of the same upon their Hats, and when they were in readiness then to begin the Butchery at a Signal given them, by Ringing out the great Bell belonging to the Palace, which is not wont to be used but upon some extraordinary Occasion of rejoycing.

The Orders given, he returned to the Louvre, where the Queen Mother, the Duke of Anjou, Nevers and Birague, used their utmost Endeavors to resolve the King's Mind, for the nearer he came to the Moment of Execution, the more he was troubled in his Soul, so that the very Sweat ran down his Forehead, and his pulsation was like one in a Feaver. They had much adoe to force a positive and precise consent from him: but as soon as ever they had obtained it, the Queen Mother hastned the Signal above an hour, and caused the Bell to be rung at Saint Germains de l'Auxerrois as the Alarum agreed upon. When he heard this, and the report of some Pistols fired at the same time, he was so moved that he sent orders they should forbear a while longer: but word was brought back that they had proceeded too far; and indeed the Duke of Guise had caused both the Admi∣ral and Teligny his Son in Law to be Massacred in their Lodgings, and the fierce Woolfs being unchained and let loose ran to every House, and filled all with Blood and Slaughter.

To draw the Picture of this Horrible Massacre in little, it lasted seven whole dayes: the three first, which was from Sunday the Feast of St. Bartholomew till Tuesday, in it's greatest fury; the other Four till the Sunday following with some∣what more of abatement. During which time were Murthered near Five Thou∣sand Persons by divers sorts▪ of Deaths, and many by more then one, amongst o∣thers Five or Six Hundred Gentlemen. Neither the Aged, nor the tender Infants were spared, nor Women great with Child, some were Stabb'd, others hewn in pieces with Halberts, or Shot with Muskets of Pistols, some thrown Head-long out of the Windows, many dragged to the River, and divers had their Brains beaten out with Mallets, Clubs, or such like Instruments. Seven or Eight Hun∣dred had thrust themselves into the several Prisons, hoping to find shelter and protection under the Wings of Justice: but the Captains appointed for this Exe∣cution, caused them to be haled out and brought to a place near la Valeé de Mi∣sere (or the Valley of Misery) where they beat out their Brains with a Pole-Axe, and then cast them into the River. A Butcher going to the Louvre upon Tuesday, told the King that he had dispatched an Hundred and Fifty the Night before, and a Gold-Wyre drawer often boasted, shewing his Arm, that he had kill'd Four Hundred for his share.

The most Eminent of the Massacred, besides the Admiral and Teligny were the Count de la Rochelfoucaud, the Marquess de Renel Brother by the Mother to the Prince de Porcean, the Baron de Lavardin, Beaudiné Brother of Dacier, Francis de Nonpar Caumont la Force and his Eldest Son, the brave Piles, Francis de Quellevé, Pontivy, Brion, Puviant, Pardaillan, Montalbert, Valavoire, Guerchy, Peter de la Place First President of the Court des Aydes, Francour the King of Navarres Chancellor and Lomenie Secretary to the King. Who could believe it? of so many Va∣liant Men, not one died with his Sword in Hand besides Guerchy; and of Six or Seven Hundred Houses that were plunder'd, but only one that made Resi∣stance.

The Earl of Montgomery and about a Hundred Gentlemen, who either more suspicious, or more happy then the rest, had Lodged themselves in the Faux∣bourg Sainct Germain, hearing the hideous noise that was made all over the City, and being privately informed of what passed, could not possibly believe it: they fancied that the Guisians together with th•• ••eople had Attaqued the Louvre, and ran to the Water-side to crose over by Boat: but perceiving some small Vessels full of Soldiers making towards them, (for they could not find the Keys of the Gate Bucy soon enough) and the King himself from the farther side of the Ri∣ver, with his great Fowling-piece, endeavouring to bird them, they fled back to their Lodgings, and getting immediately on Horse-back, most of them without Boots, some even in their drawers, made their escape with all possible speed into Normandy.

[Year of our Lord 1572] Those that were Lodged in the Louvre it self were not spared. After they had disarm'd and hunted them out of the Chambers they lay in, they cut the Throats of them all one after another, and exposed their Bodies stark naked at the Gate of the Louvre, the Queen Mother being at a Window feasted her Eyes with the horrid Spectacle.

This deluge of Blood swallow'd up many Catholicks likewise, who were dis∣patched by Order of the Higher-Powers, or at the Instigation of some particular Persons. It was enough to make them Huguenots, if they had Money, or a wish∣ed for Employment, or vindicative Enemies, or impatient heyres. Some called this Massacre The Paris Matins, as they had formerly called that in Sicily, Anno 1281. The Sicilian Vespers.

Whatever diligence they used to find out the Huguenots, there were more es∣caped then were killed for number. Divers saved themselves by Money, by Friends, by good hap, and by their craft; the Duke of Guise in his own Hostel sheltred above an Hundred of those he believed he might bring over to his Party; And the King spared the Lives of some who were so only out of Interest. The Montmorencies, Cossé, and Biron were in the black List: but Montmorency's absence, he being at Chantilly, secured the Lives of his Three Brothers, the Prayers and Tears of the beautiful Chasteau-neuf, Monsieurs Mistriss, saved Cossé his Allie, and Biron Great Master of the Ordnance, having loaded and levell'd or appointed some Culverins at the Gate of the Arsenal, stopt the impetuous Torrent of the Massa∣crers, and let in some of his distressed Friends; amongst others James second Son of the Lord de la Force, who being then but Ten or Twelve years old, had craftily hid himself between his Fathers and his Eldest Brothers Corps, Murther'd in bed where they all three lay together.

When the Admiral was kill'd, they threw his Body down into the Court, the Duke of Guise who stood below, wiped the Blood off which cover'd his Face to know if it were he. After that an Italian cut off his Head and carried it to the Queen Mother, who causing it to be Embalm'd, sent it to the Pope, as the Hu∣guenots say. The Populace fell upon the unhappy trunck of his Body; They first cut off the Hands and Privities, then left it on a Dunghil; in the afternoon they return to it again, dragg'd it three dayes about the Streets, then to the Ri∣ver side, yet did not throw it in, and at last to Montfaucon, where they hung it up by the Feet with an Iron Chain, and made a Fire underneath, which half consumed it. This miserable Relick hung there till the Mareschal de Montmoren∣cy got some to steal it away in a very dark Night, and laid it to rest in his Chappel at Chantilly.

About Noon on the Sunday the Massacre first began, a white-thorn growing in the Church-Yard called Sainct Innocents, half wither'd and stript of all its Leaves, put forth great store of Blossomes. This wonder much heightned the phrensie of the People: the Fraternities Marched along with Drums beating, and strove who should Massacre most Huguenots in a day; the King himself would needs see that Prodigy. Most People would have it to be a Miracle, and those of either Religions interpreted it to their own advantage. The less credulo••s attributed it to the nature of the Tree, which does many times Blossom when ready to die. We might say that the same cause which heated the Peoples Brains and excited them to so much violence and fury, was that which heated this Tree likewise, whether proceeding from Vapours out of the Earth, or the Influence of the Stars and Planets from above.

It had been resolved in the King and Queens most private Council, to charge the Guises with all the Malice and Odium of these Massacres, and report that the Admirals Friends intending to revenge the hurt he had received, it begot so fu∣rious a Sedition that the King could not allay or hinder it; and to this effect they had agreed and appointed that they should retire to their own homes as soon as ever the Chiefs of the Huguenots were dispatched. Upon this Foot the King had written to all the Governours of Provinces, commanding them to as∣sure the People he would not break th•• Edict of Pacification; and in one Letter he said expresly, That he was joyned with the King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condé, to revenge the death of the Admiral, his Cousin. But the Guises apprehending, as they had reason, lest the Queen Mother should some time or other lay this Crime to their charge to ruine them, insisted so resolutely upon it, having the power in their own hands, the Catholick Nobility, the Duke of Montpensier, and the Parisians to back them, that they obliged him to change his Note, and to send

word every where, That what had been done, was by his Order, to prevent the ef∣fects [Year of our Lord 1572] of that detestable Conspiracy the Admiral and his Friends had plotted to destroy him, and all the Royal Family, as also the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condé.

Wherefore upon Tuesday the Third day of the Massacre, after hearing of Mass to return solemn thanks to God for the precious Victory obtained over Heresie, and commanded Medals should be Coyned to preserve the Memory thereof, he went and sat on his Royal Seat of Justice in Parliament, where he owned the whole Action. Some dayes after he sent orders to that Assembly to employ all the Authority of the Law to justifie it▪ and to that end to proceed immediately without delay to make Process against the Admiral, and his accom∣plices.

[month September. and October▪] For this a Chamber, or Court, was purposely set up during the Vacation, by whose Sentence the Admiral was declared Attainted and Convict of the Crime de Lesae Majestatis, Chief Head and principal Author of a Conspiracy against the King and his Kingdom, ordained that his Body, if it could be found, if not, his Effigies, should be drawn upon a Hurdle, and hanged upon a Ga••lows at the Greve, from thence carried to the Gibbet at Mont-faucon, all Pictures of him to be mangled and trampled under Foot by the Hang-man, his Armes dragged at a Horses Tail about the Streets of Paris, his Estate Confiscated, his Children de∣clared Plebean and Ignoble, Intestable and unworthy to hold any Office, Dignity, or Estate in the Realm, his House of Chastillon razed, and an Inscription set up there graved on a Copper Plate containing this whole Sentence and Decree against him. It was added that from thence forward upon the Four and Twentieth day of August should be yearly observed a general Procession to render thanks to God for the discovery of that Conspiracy.

Briquemaut an old Gentleman, and Arnaud de Cavagnes a Master of Requests and Chancellour of the Cause, being taken, after the Butchery, in a House where they a while concealed themselves, were declared his accomplices, and Condemn∣ed to the same punishment. They were drawn upon a Sledge to the Greve, and Executed together with his Fantosme made of Straw, in the Mouth of which they did not forget to stick a Tooth-picker. The King and Queen Mother stood at a Window in the Town-Hall, and beheld the Execution through a Tiffany Vail.

Two dayes after the King had been in Parliament, he put forth an Edict whereby he assured the Huguenots, that what had been done, was not in hatred to their Religion, but to prevent the wicked designes of the Admiral; and therefore that every one of them should keep quietly in his own abode, and not make any publick Assemblies: but at the same time he wrote to the Governors of the Provinces and Cities, that they should take the very same Course, and Treat them as they had been at Paris.

During two Months, this horrible Tempest run over all France, more or less Bloody, according to the disposition of the Countries and their Governours. It was not so violent in Burgundy and Bretagne, because there were few Huguenots; nor in Languedoc and Gascongne, because they were strong enough to defend themselves: but it was very rough and cruel at Meaux, Troyes, Orleans, Nevers, Lyons, Toulouze, Bourdeaux and at Rouen, causing above Five and Twenty Thou∣sand Men to Perish in the Red Sea of their own Blood. At Thoulouze they hang∣ed Five Councellors of Parliament, in Scarlet Robes, upon an Elm in the Pa∣lace Yard.

Matignon and the Vicount d'Ortez did generously refuse to stain their Hands with the Blood of their own Country-men: the first preserved those of Alencon, the other those of Bayonne. The horrour of the Massacre brought back a great many to the Roman Church: but the danger once over, most of them fell off a∣gain, These and some others who timely fore-saw the threatning Storm saved themselves in divers places; Sanc••rre, Rochel, Montauban, and the Sevenes, proved places of refuge to a great number.

The very Morning of Saint Bartholomews day, the King had with his own Mouth told the King of Navarre and Prince of Condé that he pardon'd them, pro∣vided they changed their Conduct and Religion. Afterwards the whole Court labour'd for their Conversion: the Example and Conferences of Rosiere a Minister of Orleans afforded a very specious colour and pretence for the King of Navarre [month October.] to be Converted. His Sister Catherine the Dowager of Condé, and the Princess

[Year of our Lord 1572] did likewise abjure it. The Prince would by no means hear of it: the King be∣ing tyred with his over-long resistance, sent for him, and being quite transport∣ed with passion, told him in three words, Death, Mass, or the Bastile. This Thunder-clap beat down his haughty Spirit, and compell'd him to follow the Examples of the rest. They were all absolved of the Crime of Heresie by the Car∣dinal de Bourbon; and that they might not be able to Retract, they were obliged to write themselves to his Holiness.

The Court of Rome and the Council of Spain were filled with unexpressible Joy upon the Tydings of the Saint Bartholomew: the Pope went in Procession to Saint Lewis Church to render thanks to God for that so happy Success, and a Panegyrical act thereof was represented before King Philip, under the Title of The Triumphs of the Church Militant. Both the one and the other of them be∣lieved this bloody Butchery would have brought the Protestant Party very low, and that their fall would make their own power rise to the desired pitch. Indeed if the King had but had an Army in readiness, he might with ease have made an end of the Huguenots: but he believed these Massacres had so quell'd them, that it was to no purpose to maintain one for that; Besides he must have been ob∣liged to give the Command of it to his Brother the Duke of Anjou; and his growing too great was the only thing he had to fear.

Whilst the Queen Mother by the Advice of Birague and de Rais her Confi∣dents, who apprehended a War, as being ••itter to mannage Intrigues, then draw a Sword, amuses her self by Wyles and Artifices to subdue the remainders of the Huguenots: those that had escaped the Blood-Hounds resumed their Cou∣rage: Rochel labours to Forti••ie it self; Montauban encouraged by the fortu∣nate Success of the Vesins, who with Five and Twenty Horse defeated two Hun∣dred and took Montluc's great Standard, shut up their Gates against the Kings Soldiers; their Chiefs seized upon several little Places in Quercy, and Fifteen or Twenty Castles in Roüergne, Lauraguez, Albigeois, and Foix; Millaud and Nismes in Languedoc took the bit in their Teeths, some small Towns in the Mountains of Vivarets and the Sevenes, Barricado themselves, and Anthony de Pleix Gremian Seizes upon the City of Sousmieres.

Against so many Heads as sprung up afresh on every side the Kings Council took the Sword again in hand, and raised three Armies. With one of them la Chastre had order to besiege Sancerre; with the second Danville undertook to re∣duce the Rebel Cities in Languedoc; and the third Commanded by the Marquiss de Villars Admiral of France, to subdue those in Guyenne. As for Rochel, they thought fit, before they made use of Force, to make use of Mildness and Craft, as fearing lest their dispair should cast them into the Arms of the English. They sent first therefore Biron to be their Governour, whom they guessed would be acceptable to them, then when they had refused him, they forced Francis de la Noüe with Arguments of Knives and Daggers, to go thither and reduce them. They did not receive him in quality of the Kings Servant, but as General to Command their Army; which the King was content with, upon condition that if he could not incline them to make a Peace, he should forsake them upon his first Summons.

Thus began the Fourth Civil War again. The Huguenots escaped from the Butchery had scatter'd their fears amongst all the other Protestants. The City of Strasbourg doubled their Guards, the Swiss made great Levies, and secured all their Avenues, the German Princes and the Queen of England formed new Leagues together: the Council therefore found it necessary to allay their Suspi∣cions, and palliate the Cruelty and Heynousness of the Fact. To this end they dispatched Ambassadors to them, with relations well contrived, and forged, and artificial propositions; they renew'd the Treaty for Conquest of the Low-Countries with the Prince of Orange? they endeavour'd to soothe and sweeten Queen Elizabeth, desiring her to be God-mother to the Kings Daughter, which she accepted; and they began a third time to propound a Match between her and the Duke of Alanson: which many attributed to the Queens vain Imaginati∣ons, who being informed by certain Fortune-tellers, that all her Sons should Reign, by consequence if it were in France, they must all die after one another, struggled to alter the course of Fate, by seeking other Kingdoms for them in For∣raign Parts, and proceeded so far therein as to desire the Kingdom of Tunis of the Turk for this last.

[Year of our Lord 1572] The Eight day of November a new Phenomena began to be observed in the Hea∣vens, which seemed to be a Star, because it was very Bright, was fixed to one certain place like the real Stars, appeared at the same height and held the same motion. It made the Figure of a Lozenge, with those of the Thigh a••d Breast of the Constellation named Cassiopea. At first it equal'd in magnitude the Planet Jupiter: but diminished by little and little, and at Eighteen Months end quite disappeared. The Huguenots in∣terpreted this wonder to their advantage, and one of their Poets dared to say, it was the Asterism of the Apotheose of the Admiral.

As soon as it began to appear in France a new Disease broke forth, indeed a very strange and odd kind of Malady, for at every Tenth Year, it still doubled its violence, causing most horrible Contorsions, and Dislocating every Joynt, till the year 1606. that it began to be less frequent and less cruel and tormenting then before. It was called the (Billious Evil, or) Colick of Poitou, because it reigned chiefly in that Country.

[Year of our Lord 1573] The Three Armies destined against the Huguenots did but little. La Chastre suc∣ceeding ill in his Attaques upon Sancerre, at the end of Three Months, turned the Siege into a Blocade. Danville instead of taking Nismes, as the Ci∣ties of Lyons and Thoulouze did heartily wish, because they paid and maintain'd his Army, set upon the little City of Sous-Mieres, whether with design not to succeed, or otherwise, I know not: for he knew very well they plotted the Ruine of his House, and he put as little Confidence in the Kings Council, as they did in him. He therefore ruined his Army before it, and raised the Siege after he had lost Two Thousand men, with Henry de Foix Count de Candale, slain upon an Assault. This Lord had Married his Sister, and brought him Twelve Hundred Gascons. Villars and la Valette cleared Gascongne of several small Garrisons: but could not take Cossade, and were constrained to disband their Troops, who lived so licentiously, that the Commons rose up in Arms to fall upon them.

The greatest efforts were at the Siege of Ro••hel: Strossy and Biron had invest∣ed it the preceding year, all the Forces of the Kingdom were come thither, and Monsieur himself Arriving there in the Month of February, had brought along with him, all that were bravest and greatest about the Court, the Duke of Alen∣con [month February▪ &c.] his Brother, the Duke of Montpensier, all the Guises, the Duke of Nevers, and even the King of Navarre, the Prince of Condé and the Mareschal de Cossé, for fear lest they should make some stir elsewhere in favour of the Huguenots. After several fruitless Conferences, after that la Noüe, not being able to per∣swade the Rocheliers to submit, was come out of the Town, and they had cho∣sen Six Captains in his sted, Monsicur began to express his mind by the roaring Mouths of his Cannon, having Four-score in Battery against them.

In this Siege it was made more manifest then in any other of these last Ages, that there is nothing which the perswasion of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Religion does not over∣come, and nothing that can overcome it. It lasted Eight Months, to reckon from the time of the Blocade, the Baron de la Garde had begun within a Month after Saint Bartholomew; the City during that time sustained Five and Thirty [☜] Thousand Cannon shot, Nine grand Assaults, above Twenty lesser ones, near up∣on Seventy Mines, very frequent Conspiracies, as well by contrivance of some that were Rich who feared to loose their Wealth, as by some of the Gentry, who have ever some particular engagements at the Court, and seldome desert it but in expectation of being called back again to the Cost of whatever Party they Espouse.

The People labour'd with so much heat, that they raised a double Terrass and digged a deep Retrenchment at the place where they batter'd the Town, before they could make their breach; Besides their men were perpetually making Sallies, the Women went along every where with them, some to Fight, others to carry necessaries and refreshment, carry off and dress the wounded, and ga∣ther up the Spoil, others again to throw kettles of scalding Liquor, or Oil, melted Pitch, red hot Iron Hoops, Bricks, Stones, Timber▪Loggs and the like upon the Assailants heads.

Their Courage did not fail them, though the Assistance from England which Montgommery was to have brought, failed them. After a long expectation, in mid-March they appeared, but very Slender, for as much as the Mareschal de Rais, as well by the Intrigues he forged in England, as the Pensions the King be∣stowed on Queen Elizabeths Councellours, had notably hindred him from obtain∣ing

[Year of our Lord 1573] so considerable a Supply as was promised. Finding the choice M••n of the Besiegers Army had put themselves into the Kings Ships, and the Channel stopt up with an Estacade which they could not g••t over but at Spring-Tyd••s, ••e weighed Anchor and went and seized upon B••ll-Isle. But hearing the Count de Rais was coming against him, with a dozen Ships, he quitted it, after he had plundred it, and retired to the Isle of Wight.

The Count de Rais, under pretence B••ll-Isle wanted some Lord to defend it, manag'd his Interest so that the King by his Soveraign Authority, caused it to be substracted and dismembred from the demesne of the Abbey of Saincte Croix de Quimperlay, and erected it to a Marquisate to bestow it upon him.

During all the Siege of Rochel, those within enjoy'd a perfect health, they had established a very good order for the distribution of their Provisions, so that they had enough for two Months longer when they were deliver'd; For though they were but meanly furnished with Corn; they had great Stores of Flesh and Salt-Fish, and the Sea shewing her self Charitable and Merciful to that Town, which she hath ever looked upon as her Nurse-Child, threw upon the Owze infinite quantities of Shel-Fish for the Subsistance and Relief of the Poor. On the con∣trary, the Besiegers were under all sorts of inconveniencies, the neglect of disci∣pline, and the desolation of the Country round about them, had caused extream scarcity of Provisions and Forrage in their Camp, and a most terrible Infection, which bred frequent and contagious distempers.

But the complement of all those Evils was their general Division, which held the Royal Army in perpetual agitations, and ready to cut one anothers Throats like Cadmus his Soldiers. There were of three sorts of People, the Malecontents, the Gentlemen were most of them so with the Queen Mother who governed all by two or three Strangers, Covetous, Proud and without Faith; the Faithful, these were the Huguenots who had not quitted their Religion, but to avoid the ruine of their Houses or for some Interest at Court, had followed Monsieur; and the New ones, whom the fear of being Massacred had forced to go to Mass, though they did not believe in it.

Out of some of each of these was a Club or Party made whom they named the Politiques, and these had together agreed that without any more mention of Religion, they would demand the Reformation of the State, and expulsion of Strangers. Amongst the Catholicks, the Montmorencies, Biron and Cossé were the Chief Heads: these were linked together above a Twelve month before the Saint Bartholomew. The Duke of Alencon a Prince ambitious and unquiet, de∣spised for his low Stature and his ill Meen, had desired to be one, and having in his tender Youth taken some Impression of the New Religion from those that Edu∣cated him, had tied himself in strickt Amity with the Admiral, believing by that means to make a Party strong enough to equal the Credit of the Duke of Anjou, and get some share in the Gov••••••ment; To which he was thrust on by the Am∣bition of his Favourites, and by his Sister Margarets Spleen, much offended the Duke of Anjou slighted her after he highly cherish'd her.

Divers considerations proceeding from jealousie, suspicions and fear, had with∣held the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condé from joyning with him whilst they were at Court: but they came on with more boldness when they were in the Camp. Henry de la Tour Vicount de Turenne, at that time a Catholick and alrea∣dy very knowing and subtle, though but young, was the contriver of their Asso∣ciation. Being all hot headed rash young Men, many Designs were propounded as strange as bold. The King having had some hint, gave order to Pinard Se∣cretary of State, to enjoyn the Duke not to leave the Camp upon pain of Incur∣ring his Indignation; The Duke sending him back without any answer, because he would not produce his Order, the Kings Council took such an Alarm, that the King apprehending some dangerous surprize, wrote to the Duke of Anjou to hasten the taking of Rochel, because he had need of his Forces about his Per∣son. This was the cause he made so many Assaults unseasonably, and lost so many Men.

Now as both the one and the other were in an extream Perplexity, Arrives the News from Poland, which open'd them a way to go off with Honour. The Bishop of Valence had gained the Affections of the Polanders, by means of Balagny his na••ural Son, before the death of King Sigismond, the last Prince of the House of Jagellons. When he was dead, which hapned the Seventh of July in the year 1572. he parted from Paris the Seventeenth day of August following and went

thither himself. The Queen Mother and the Duke of Anjou apprehended no∣thing [Year of our Lord 1573] more then the success of this Election; wherefore at the same time they pretended to employ all the Kings power for it, they obstructed it underhand by private Methods: Nevertheless the Bishop having more regard to the Kings Command and his own Honor, then to a Womans fancies, managed the business so well that it succeeded. The Duke of Anjou was Elected King: but as the Heads of two of those four Factions that were amongst them, were Calvinists, they obliged the French Ambassadors to promise them several Conditions in favour of that Religion; particularly that they should leave all those Cities at Liberty which were Besieged.

Upon the News of this Election and the Arrival of the Polish Ambassadours who came to fetch their new King, the Duke of Anjou made them give some fresh Assaults, and then renewed the propositions for accommodation: The Ro∣chellers refused to hearken to any thing unless all the other Cities of their Party were comprehended, and they were fain to yeild to them in this point, unless for [month June.] Sancerre, whose Surrender was hourly expected. The Articles were all resolved upon the Five and Twentieth of June, the Ratification was brought back some dayes after with an Edict of Pacification, which was more restrictive by much then the preceeding ones, for it allowed only Liberty of Conscience, but no publick ex∣ercise, excepting in the Cities of Rochel, Nismes, and Montauban▪

It was not in their Power to obtain the same advantage for Sancerre; the King under colour it belonged to a particular Lord, whose right he could not infringe, refused to grant them any more but the Liberty of Marriages and Christnings. So that although for four Months past the scarcity of Provisions grew daily to a most-horrible Extremity, yet they resolved to perish rather then not enjoy the same Conditions which the rest had. They fed upon the most unclean Creatures, and upon such Herbs as Beasts themselves refuse to tast, as also Parchment and Leather; and to say all in a word, they surprized a Father and a Mother feeding upon their own Daughter that had been starved to death: Whilst they were in this most lamentable State, and yet would not think of a Surrender, the Ambassa∣dours from Poland, who Arrived in the beginning of August, got composition for them: but they had no other advantages for their Religion, then what was ge∣neral. So that the Cruel and Voluntary death of Two Thousand of those unhap∣py Wretches, served only to Signalize to all future Ages their too long and fatal obstinacy.

In the Treaty of Rochel, it was Stipulated that the Rochellers should intreat the Duke of Anjou to come into their City: but that he should not enter. So that af∣ter the most eminent had been with him to request it, he dismissed his Army and went on Board his Galleys, visited the adjacent Islands, thence Sailed to Nantes and so returned to Court, being every where received in quality of a King. Thus ended that Famous Siege, where the King lost Twelve Thousand Men, and a great many Persons of Note, the most remarkable being Claude Duke of Aumale who was Slain with a Cannon Shot.

The Polish Ambassadours who were Twelve in number, and for their Chief had the Bishop of Posna, Arrived at Mets the Five and Twentieth of July, made their Solemn entrance into Paris on the Third day of September, and the Tenth [month July, &c.] read the Decree of Election in the Palace-Hall. The King was there upon a Scaffold Array'd in his Royal Robes, and accompanied by all the Princes and Grandees of his Court. The Decree being taken out of a Silver Box, Sealed with an Hundred and Ten Seals of the Prelates, Palatines, and Castellans of the Kingdom, was open'd and read aloud by one of the Ambassadors. The King having given them very many civil thanks rose from his Seat and went to embrace the King of Poland his Brother, the other Princes and Noblemen then present went afterwards to Congratulate him and pay their Respects; He kissed the Duke of Al••ncon and the King of Navarre, and treated the others with more or less Ceremony according to their quality.

I shall say nothing of the Feastings and Balets wherewith the Queen Mother entertained them: those are the Abortives of Luxury and Prodigality, the re∣membrance of which ought to last no longer then the smell of the meat, and noise [☜] of the Violins. The King of Poland made his entrance into Paris by the Gate Sainct Amoine with a Suitable Magnificence. It was looked upon as an ill Omen that his Heraulds mistook in their blasoning the Arms of his New King∣dom.

[Year of our Lord 1573] These Ceremonies ended King Charles who had taken up a strong Resolution he would Reign himself, and withdraw that Authority he had imprudently com∣mitted to his Mother, hastned his departure with great impatience, every hour seeming a tedious year: but the more he pressed, the more delays the other still sought out. It was not the delights only of the Court, his Mothers tenderness, the almost Royal Authority his Command had placed him in as Generalissimo of the Army's, and the hope of succeeding to the Crown, which ever seemed near at hand, because the King had no Child, that detained him in France: the vio∣lent Love he had for the Princess of Condé, was a stronger tye then all these. The Duke of Guise who had Married the Sister, soothed and served him, though to no purpose, in his passion, and by that means had gained the Princes favour so entirely that he could not have liv'd a moment without him.

Seven or Eight dayes were past and the King of Poland went not, though all his Equipage were ready and his Goods loaden. The King attributes it to the [month September.] Queen, and told her with an Oath that one of the two must leave the King∣dom; but the Duke of Guise with-held him still upon hopes of a sudden enjoy∣ment, and offer'd him Fifty Thousand men to defend him from the wrath of his Brother. At Three dayes end the King verily believing the Queen his Mo∣ther was the cause of his delay, and that it was to hatch some dangerous Con∣spiracy, caused his Closet Door to be rudely shut against her, and resolved to prevent their designes by some others which no doubt would have been very Tragical.

The Peril was Evident both for her and her Son, yet notwithstanding she could hardly resolve to part with him. The King would needs Conduct him to the Frontiers, rather to hinder him from Cantonizing himself in any of the Pro∣vinces, then out of any Affection. He could not accompany him so far as he desired, but was forced to stop at Vitry in Partois: for in a few dayes after he had menaced his Mother, he was seized with a lingring but Malignant Feaver, which made him very giddy in his Head, and sick at Heart almost every Mi∣nute.

The Queen Mother with the Duke of Alencon and the King of Navarre Con∣ducted him as far as Blamont in Lorraine. There the Mother and the Son took their Leaves of each other, amidst their Embraces, Sobbs, Sighes and Tears, she most imprudently let fall these words, Farewel my Son, you shall not stay there long; which being over-heard by several, and quickly divulged, did much encrease the sinister suspicions they had of the Kings Malady, though others attributed it to his constitution which was of adust Choller, and to the violent exercises he used as Hunting, Riding the great Horse, playing at Tennis Five or Six hours together, hammering and forging of Iron: which had so over-heated his mass of Blood, that he slept but little, and had sometimes Fits like those that so much afflicted Charles VI.

King Henry after his departure from Blamont, having Travell'd cross all Ger∣many, Arrived at Miezrich the first City of Poland, about the end of the Month of January. He had in his Train the Dukes of Nevers and Mayne, the Marquiss d'Elbcuf, the Count de Rais, lately made Mareschal of France, Roger de Sainct Lary Bellegarde, Ten or Twelve other Lords of Note, and above Five Hundred of the bravest Gentlemen, besides these, several Men of the Gown, amongst o∣thers Bellievre Ambassadour of France to him, Vincent Lauré Apostolick Nuncio, and Pibrac the Kings Attorney in the Parliament of Paris.

All the Princes thorow whose Territories he passed, strove to pay him the ho∣nour due to his Birth and Dignity: there was none but Frederic Count Palatine of the Rhine, that Treated him otherwise. That Prince one of the gravest of his time, desiring to make the young King and his bloody Council know, the In∣justice of the Massacres, received him after a manner not much obliging, and took pleasure in putting him into some apprehension of a most terrible Re∣venge.

At first that Noble and Majestick Air which outwardly appeared in all his Acti∣ons, and the Profusion he made with both hands, got him the passionate Love of the Nobility, and adoration of the People: but soon after the discomposed∣ness of his Mind proceeding from Vapours of the Spleen, his Melancholly for not receiving so early as he wished the News he expected from France, a disgust of the Manners and Conversations of those People, rendred him un-easie to himself and to his Subjects. He sought for solitude in his own Closet, communicated

himself to none but his Favourites, was sad and silent: but that which aggrava∣ted [Year of our Lord 1573] his Sorrow the more was the Proposition made him by the Senate, to Marry Anne Sister of the Deceased King, ill-favour'd and old, whose dis-agreeable aspect did but more encrease those Flames in his Breast; first kindled at Paris by the bright Eyes of the charming Princess of Condé.

There was some likely-hood that his departure from France would contribute much towards the calming of the Affairs in the State; That the fears of the Hu∣guenots who dreaded him and his Favorites, ceasing, their emotions would cease likewise; That the Queen Mother having none now to rely upon would be forced to obey in her turn, and that her Italians who excited the publick hatred, and perverted the Just and Ancient Laws of Government to Introduce a new and Tyrannical Power, would loose their Credit and Interest. But on the contrary the Huguenots believing themselves the Stronger, had not laid down their Arms in Languedoc, but being confirmed and encouraged in their Assembly of Millaud, and afterwards in those of Montauban and Nismes, they became more audacious in their demands than if they yet had their Admiral at the Head of Thirty thou∣sand Men to fight their Battels; And besides the Duke of Alencon and the Poli∣tiques believing they were now Masters of all by the absence of the Duke of An∣jou, would needs dispose of things as they pleased.

The Duke d'Alencon ready to embrace any Enterprize without consideration, and to give it over as lightly without thinking, forged several in his own head: but chiefly two amongst the rest, the one to undertake the Lieutenancy of the War in the Low-Countries against the Spaniards, and the King would gladly have sent him thither to ridd his hands of such a turbulent and restless Spirit; the other was to demand the General Lieutenancy as the Duke of Anjou had it. The Ma∣reschal de Montmorency was of opinion he should stick to the latter, and earnestly desired it for him, with such persuasive Arguments and Reasons, that the King thought fit to grant it.

[Year of our Lord 1574. January, &c.] But the Queen Mother, who did expect no more acknowledgment or respect from this Son than she had shewed affection towards him, who besides feared he would wrest her Authority from her, and if the King hap'ned to die, might perchance shut her dear Son the Duke of Anjou out of the Kingdom, studied to break his measures, and desired the Lieutenancy for the Duke of Lorrain, who had Married the Fondling of all her Daughters. Now when she found the King had promis'd it to the Duke of Alencon, she contrived the Matter so well, that instead of a Patent, he only made a Declaration by word of Mouth, and gave Letters under the Privy-Seal to some Governours, shewing thereby plainly enough he meant to recall his Word, as he soon after did, and confer'd that eminent Title upon the Duke of Lorrain.

In the mean time the Duke of Alencon had contracted a most particular tye with the Huguenots, and had promised to take them into his Protection. The King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condé were entred into this League, the Politique Catholicks were likewise joyned with them. Toré and the Vicount de Turenne managed the intrigues, and all of them together demanded an Assembly of the general Estates. The Queen Mother, that she might amuse them, had as∣signed an Assembly of the Notables at Compiegne, to deliberate whether it would be expedient to call them; and when they saw they could not make their Party strong enough at Court, they resolved to retire to Sedan; where the Duke of Bouillon had promis'd to give them reception.

[month March and April.] The Huguenots had promised themselves so great advantage by the Duke of Alencon, that they had resolved to take up Arms over all the Kingdom at the lat∣ter end of the Carnaval, Rochel it self was born along with this Torrent, and had for that purpose elected la Noue for their General. This Man the Night between Shrove-Tuesday and Ash-Wednesday, surprized Mesle and Lusignan by Escalado, as Giron de B••ssay, who brought Twelve hundred Men from Bearn, took Fontenay, and the Lord de la Case in Saintonge, Royan, Talmont, and four or five other lit∣tle Places. In Daupfiné Montbrun seized upon Lorial and Liwron, the which he repaired. In Normandy Coulombieres and some Gentlemen of the Country, upon the hopes of greater Troubles at Court, and of having the Duke of Alencon shortly with them, seized upon Saint Lo; Montgommery, who being hated in France, and unwelcom in England, kept himself close, and under shelter of the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, sided with them, took Carentan and Valognes, and set all the Country thereabouts under Contribution.

[Year of our Lord 1574] At the same time being the Tenth of March, that la No••e had made the Hu∣guenots resolve to take up Arms, it was likewise resolv'd that John de Chaumont Guitry should draw near Saint Germains en Laye, with as many Horse as he could get privately together, to receive and bring with him the Duke of Alencon, and the two Princes. But it hap'ned, by whose fault it is not known, that Guitry an∣ticipated the Assignation by at least Ten days; so that the Duke of Alencon be∣ing fearful and irresolute, could not determine with himself to forsake the Court so suddenly, and la Mole his Favorite judging so great a design could not be long conceal'd, went and discover'd it to the Queen Mother. About Midnight behold an Alarm over all the Court: The King sends for the Duke of Alencon, and the King of Navarre, the first tells all, not caring what became of those he had em∣ploy'd: The other taxed neither him nor any Friend. They give out there is a Design upon the King's Person: The Men of the long Robe especially, and the Women hurry to Paris all Night, and the Queen her self to render the Princes more odious, flyes in great disorder: However the King went not till the next day, and lodged himself at the Bois de Vincennes, whither he carried the Duke of Alencon and the King of Navarre, not yet as Prisoners, but carefully ob∣served.

Thus the Huguenots fell very short in their accounts; and besides, in a Month after they set out Three Armies to destroy them in the Provinces of Normandy, Poitou, and Languedoc. Matignon Commanded the first, the Duke of Montpensier the second, the Prince Daufin his Son the third. Montpensier went and cool'd his heels before Fontenay: but Matignon invested Montgommery in Saint Lo's, from whence making his escape, he pursued and besieged him in Donfront so straitly that he constrain'd him to Surrender, giving him assurance for the lives of his Men, but nothing more then ambiguous and random Promises for his own. This fell out, four or five days before the Death of the King.

From thence Matignon returned to the Siege of Saint Lo, carrying him thither to persuade Coulombieres who was within to Surrender: but the other reproached him of Cowardize, and put himself courageously in the breach, and his two Sons on either side of him, not above Fourteen or Fifteen years of Age, both having Javelins in their hands, to Sacrifice, said he, all his Blood for the Truth of the Gospel. He died there with his Sword in hand: but Fortune or Pity saved the lives of his two Sons; Guitry afterwards making his Courage submit to his Pru∣dence, gave up Carentan, and Lorges Son of Montgommery was detained Prisoner, but escaped by the favour of one of the Catholick Commanders.

As to Languedoc, the Queen Mother who was more bent against Danville, than against the Huguenots themselves, had contrived to ridd her self of that Lord, by the means of James de Crussol Duke d'Vzez his Capital Enemy, before the War began in those Countries. Some intercepted Letters, giving him notice thereof, he designed to make himself Master of the Province: but proceeded so slowly, that he could only seize upon Montpellier, Lunel, Beaucaire, and Pezenas. He was not the less noted for it at Court: Martinengue shewed an Order to all the Province, whereby the King dismissed him of his Government, and forbid the People to own him, or the Soldiers to obey him.

In the Spring time, when the Humors overflow, the King's Distemper which had been as it were laid asleep during the Winter, awaked and made the Queen sufficiently understand it was high time to seize upon and secure all those that might oppose or disturb her Regency, particularly the Mareschals de Montmorency and de Cosseé. To this end she order'd a Commission to be given to Christopher de Thou first President, and to Peter Hennequin a President likewise, to inform themselves diligently about the Conspiracy of St. Germains, thereby to involve them.

La Mole a Favorite to the Duke of Alencon, and the Count de Coconas an Ita∣lian, whom he had lately introduced to the Acquaintance and Confidence of that Prince, were arrested. The first denied all, the other flatter'd with the vain hopes of getting his Pardon, and a great Reward besides, told a great deal more than indeed he knew. The Duke of Alencon and the King of Navarre were also examined: The first answered like a Criminal stuttering and trembling; the other more like an Accuser than one accused, with such reproaches as put the Queen Mother out of Countenance.

At la Mole's was found an Image of Wax, which one Cosmo Rugiero a Florentine and famous Quack, had made for him to Charm a young Damsel with whom he

was in Love. The Queen Mother would needs have it be believed that it was [Year of our Lord 1574] made on purpose to bewitch the King: he still denied it stiffly: but notwithstand∣ing he was Beheaded, and Coconas with him. It was said, that two Princesses who were in love with them, caused their Heads to be stoln, and Embalmed them to preserve them as long as they could. Another of their Complices was broken upon the Wheel, and Rugier sent to the Galleys. The Queen Mother very cre∣dulous in Matters of Divination and Sorcerers released him some time after to make use of him in his Art.

The Mareschals de Montmorency and de Cossé were highly accused by those wretches when they were put upon the Rack: nevertheless a Presumption of their own innocency did so far blind them, that they repaired immediately to Court to justifie themselves, not considering that those are ever guilty who are in the hands of their Enemies, and that under their circumstances, Imprudence is the most [☜] Mortal of all Crimes. And so they were seized and carried to the Bastille, the Pa∣risians expressing so much Joy, that they received them with Shouts, and provided Eight hundred men to be a Guard upon them. There was an Order likewise to [month March and April.] seize upon the Prince of Condé, who was at Amiens in his Government of Picardy: but he went out of the Town in a disguise, and having met in his way with Toré a Brother of the Mareschal de Montmorencie's, escaped to Strasburg, where he abjured the Catholick Religion in the open Church, and resumed the Protestant.

King Charles after the Siege of Rochel, having taken the Government of Affairs into his own hands, shewed himself very desirous to ease the People, and maugre the advice of those whose pretext for Oppression was the publick Necessity, he discharged them this year from a Third of the Tailles, and kept up but three Com∣panies of the Regiment of Guards about him. He had resolved to turn all those out of his Court that were advisers for the Massacre, though he otherwise mortally hated the Huguenots, to leave the administration of Justice to his Parliaments, that of War to his Mareschals, and only to himself reserve all Affairs of State, to hum∣ble the Houses of Guise and Montmorency, and to lay aside all his vain Divertise∣ments of Hunting, Gaming, and Women, to apply himself to Business, and at his spare hours to the Study of the Noblest Sciences, as his Grandfather the great King Francis had formerly done.

It were to be wished that Soveraigns would be as much concerned to compleat and carry on the brave Designs their Predecessors often Project when they are dy∣ing, [✚] as they are eager to reap all their Authority, and amplifie it after they are dead. It was in vain that Charles conceived all these, he consumed by a slow fire, and visibly melted and wasted away more and more every moment; at length the violence of his Distemper cast him upon his Bed in the Bois de Vincennes the Eight day of May. The Queen Mother to colour that violence wherewith she had Usur∣ped the Government with some lawful Title, labour'd to have the Regency left to her. Whil'st he had yet any remainders of strength and vigour left, he would allow her no more but only some Letters to the Governors of Provinces, which imported, that during his Sickness, and in case God should dispose of him, he would they should obey her in all things till the return of the King of Poland: but when he was brought to extremity, and in that condition wherein every thing becomes indifferent to him that is leaving the World, she caused other Writings to be drawn, which authorized her their Regent, obliged him to declare to the two Princes that such was his Will, and managed her Business so effectually, that the Parliament and the Magistrates of Paris, sent their Deputies to intreat her to ac∣cept of the Regency.

Nature did struggle most wonderfully during the two last Weeks of this King's life, he started and stretched himself with extream violence, he tossed and tumbled incessantly, the Blood burst out of every Pore, and from every channel of his Body; After he had suffered thus a long time, he sunk into a weak and fainting condition, and gave up his Soul between the third and fourth hour Afternoon, on the Thirtieth day of May, being the Pentecost. He had lived Five and twenty years wanting One [Year of our Lord 1574] and thirty days, & had worn the Crown Thirteen years & a half within five days. [month May.]

He was of a becoming Stature, only a little stooping, carried his Head somewhat awry, had a forbidding and piercing look, high-nosed, his colour pale and livid, black Hair, his Neck somewhat long, round chested, his whole Body well shaped, save only his Leggs were of the biggest. He prided himself in his profound Dissi∣mulation, and the skill of knowing Mens Natures by their Physiognomy. His Courage was great, his Spirit lively and cleer-sighted, his Judgment penetrating

[Year of our Lord 1574] and subtil; he had a ready Memory, an incredible Activity, a happy and ener∣getical Expression; In fine, many Qualities worthy to Command, had not those noble Seeds of Vertue been corrupted by an evil Education.

Those that governed him had imprinted a most wicked custom of Swearing in him, which he turned into his ordinary Language; they had likewise taught him to reprove and taunt his Grandees and Parliaments: Had he lived, them∣selves must have felt the Effects of their wise Instructions. To divert him from applying himself to Business, they had made him by Custom in love with Hunting, Musick and Poetry, and endeavour'd to draw and allure him to the Debaucheries of Wine and Women: but observing once that Wine had so invaded his Under∣standing as to make him commit some Violence, he abstained from it all the rest of his life; And for Women, having met with some inconvenience from some be∣longing to his Mother, he took an Aversion, and medled but little with them.

He made Poems which were well enough for those times, and often held Aca∣demy with five or six Poets: it is believed he would have quitted those Amuse∣ments for more solid Exercises if he had lived. He delighted so much in Hunting, that at Table, nay, when in Bed, the freak would often take him to call his Doggs. He composed a Book of Hunting or Venery, which he dictated to Villeroy.

He had no Children by Queen Elizabeth of Austria his Wife, but one Daugh∣ter named Mary-Elizabeth who died in Anno 1578. aged Six years. The Mo∣ther some while after the Death of her Husband retired to Prague in Bohemia, where she died Anno 1582. It is observed as a Pattern of her Goodness and Ju∣stice, that she would never sell any Offices belonging to those Countries assigned [✚] for her Dower; very praise-worthy in a Land where all is Venal, and which the good Subjects of France would rather have occasion to commend in their Natural Princes, than in Strangers.

King Charles had also a Natural Son by Mary Touchet, Daughter of John Touchet, Particular Lieutenant in the Presidial of Orleans, and Mary Mathy, whom he had Married to Francis Balsac d'Entragues, Governor of that City. This Son born in the year 1572. bare the same Name as his Father, and was first Grand Prior of France, then Count of Auvergne and de Lauraguais, and after Duke of Angou∣lesme, and Earl of Ponthieu.

He erected two Dutchies and Pairies, the Marquisate of Mayenne in the Country of Mayne, for Charles de Lorrain Brother to the Duke of Guise, the County of Ponticure in Bretagne for Sebastian de Luxembourg, the Vicounty d'Vzes in Lan∣guedoc for Anthony de Crussol; As simply Dutchies, the Vi-county of Toüars in Poitou for Lewis de la Trimouille, & the Seigneury of Roüanais for Claude Gouffier Boisy.

The same Vices of Wantonness, Luxury, Impiety, and Magical Abominations which reigned under Henry II. triumphed over Charles IX. with an uncontrouled Licence: But besides those Disorders, Treacheries, Poisonings, and Assassinates became so common, that it was made a Sport to take away the life of any man, if they could reap but the least advantage by it. I do not speak of that Murthering and Bloody Spirit which had possess'd the Minds of men divided in Opinions of Religion.

Before this Reign, it was wont to be the Man's part both by Example and Courtship, to persuade and tempt the Women to Galanteries: but now since amorous intrigues were joyned with the greatest Mysteries of State, the Women ran after the Men: The Husbands laid the Bridle in their Necks either out of Complaisance, or Interest, and besides those that delighted in Variety, found their own Satisfaction in this liberty, which instead of one Wife furnished them with an Hundred.

As to Magick, it is certain the Queen Mother had puzled her Brain, with those impious Curiosities; She was so fond as to wear Characters and Spells about her. There are some yet preserved in being, which are marked upon a thin Skin, sup∣posed to be of a Still-born Child. People of vain and light Fancies were easily in∣clined to follow her example: A Priest named des Eschéles, who was Executed at the Grove, for having conversed with Evil Spirits, accused Twelve hundred more of the same Crime. So sayes my Author, I know not whether we may believe him; for such as have once filled their heads with these Crude and Melancholy Imaginations, thinks every little Trick to be the Operation of Demons and Sorcerers.

Interregnum of Three Months.

[Year of our Lord 1574] SO soon as King Charles his Eyes were closed up by the cold hand of Death, the Queen Mother wrote to all the Governors that he had left her the Regency, and obliged even the Duke of Alencon, though a Captive as he then was, to give his Declaration: But it was admired that in a Post-script she gave an account of the Sickness and Death of the King, saying, She did thus to take away all such Scruples, as some might have conceived.

The same day she dispatched a Courier into Poland, and the next day a second, to give notice thereof to her Dear Son, and intreat him earnestly to return as soon as he possibly could. Those from the Prince of Condé had got the start of hers, and given so hot an Alarm at Cracovia, that the King being narrowly observed, it might be thought no easie task to steal away from so many Eyes as were upon him.

The Queen Mother in the mean time was put to no little trouble to preserve her Authority amidst that great Confusion of Affairs, and the general Hatred of all Men. Her Enemies having lost all respect, together with their fears, defamed her with biting Satyrs, the People talked insolently of her Conduct; and these Universal Murmurings made it plainly appear that all were ready to run open mouth upon her. Notwithstanding all this loud noise did not much startle her, she having the Heads of every Faction in her Power and Custody: The Mares∣chals were strongly guarded in the Bastille by City Companies, who every day relieved each other: And for the two Princes, she had removed them from the Bois de Vincennes to the Louvre; where she not only secur'd them by Soldiers, who carefully watched their Motions, and by Windows double barr'd, about all their Lodgings; but also by the Charms of her beauteous Maids, into whose Apart∣ment they had liberty of access at all hours, to make their Chains seem the lighter, and the time of their Captivity less tedious and rude.

Matignon had with much regret put Montgommery into her hands, the Parlia∣ment was commanded to make his Process. The Death of King Henry II. which she desired to revenge upon this Noble-man, was rather his Misfortune than his Crime, what he had acted during the three Civil Wars, was pardoned by the Edicts of Pacification, so that they could charge him with nothing but this his last taking up of Arms; nevertheless, in his Sentence they added, That it was for carrying the English Colours when he came to relieve Rochel. He was Con∣demned to be Drawn in a Tumbrel to the Greve, and there to lose his Head, his Posterity to be degraded of their Nobility.

[month June, &c.] They put him to cruel Torment on the Rack to make him discover the Com∣plices in the pretended Conspiracy of the Admiral: The Tortures could force nothing from him but Complaints for having violated the Faith they had given him. He went to Execution all over bruised in his Body, but with so Serene a Countenance, and such Tranquility of Mind, as would have merited much Com∣mendation in a better Cause, and Pity for any one that had been less Cruel.

This great example of Severity, was rather to intimidate the factious about the Court, than the Huguenots: for after the Saint Bartholomew, nothing could frighten them. The Juncture was very favorable, but they had no Princes nor Persons of Quality to Head them, they wanted Money, and the People in their great Cities, as Nismes, Montauban, and Rochel would not confide in the Nobi∣lity. And to say truth, most of the Gentry sought but to be hired, if they could but have Money enough bid for their Service.

She did not think fit to attaque them towards Poitou, nor Guyenne, they being there too numerous and strong; but she renewed some Negociations with la Noüe and their other Chiefs, which concluded in a Truce for the Months of July and August. During that time they had leave to hold at Millaud a general Assembly of the Provinces of Guyenne, Daufiné, and Languedoc, to consult of some Expe∣dients for the Treating of a general Peace.

Gramont had been sent into Bearn to reduce it to the ancient Religion. Being in the Castle of Haguenau, where he assembled the Nobility, the young Baron of Arros surprized him there in the boldest manner that can be possibly imagined. This Gentleman prompted to so desperate an Undertaking by the Persuasions of

[Year of our Lord 1574] his Father, who was Fourscore years of old, and Blind, entred the Castle as did the other Gentlemen with Ten or Twelve resolute Fellows, and when he saw his opportunity, falls a Charging all that stood before him, slew, scatter'd, and made the amazed Crowd to fly, and carried off Gramont Prisoner.

The Army of the Prince Daufin being entred into Daufiné, a Party of his Van-Guard was cut off at the Bridge de Royans by Montbrun, who afterwards failed in an Enterprize upon Die. The Prince Daufin had a Design to clear that Coun∣try of all those Places the Huguenots held there, he gained two or three of them, then ran himself aground before Livron, a little paltry Place situate upon a Hill in the Diocess of Valence; He laid Siege to it about mid-June, and was forced to raise it again about a Month after.

[month July.] Almost at the same time came forth two Manifesto's, one by Danville, whose irresolutions at last determined upon the Apprehensions of the Dangers and Am∣buscades the Queen Mother was ever contriving against him, to make an Union with the Huguenots; the other by the Prince of Condé, who being gotten to Hei∣delberg, easily obtained of the Elector Palatin, that Casimir his youngest Son should raise some Horse and Foot for him, provided he would advance ready Money; without which, neither Vertue, nor Religion, nor Skill, can do any thing in that Country.

The News of this being brought into France, did marvellously encourage the Huguenots, and made the Assembly of Millaud Elect him for their Chief General, a Declaration whereof they sent him to Neuf-Chastel in Swisserland, in which they did not forget to hint to him that he must be obliged to follow the reiglements of the Assembly, and act nothing without the advice of a Council they would appoint for him.

La Noüe found to his cost that his Prudence had been over-reached by a too great desire of a Peace: for during the Truce, the Duke of Montpensier having recruited his Army, which was much encreased by the Normandy Forces, had like to over-whelm the Rochellers. He took all the little Places in Poitou, and after them the City of Fontenay it self, even in a time of Conference about Capi∣tulation. This blow did very much astonish the Rochellers, Fontenay being the Key of all the Commodities they fetched out of the Lower Poitou; and yet it wrought no more than the Exhortations of la Noüe, to rowze them up to do their utmost for their own Preservation, so agreeably were they flatter'd by the Queen Mother with the vain hopes of Peace.

In the other Provinces they made a better defence. In Languedoc they sur∣prized the City of Castres, and in Agenois, though very weak, they would not let Clairac nor Mont••••anquin be torn from them, their Courage fortifying those places, as the Divisions of Cossé and la Valete, betwixt whom the Queen had sha∣red the Government, weakned the Catholicks Army.

The Couriers from the Queen Mother arrived in Poland the Fourteenth and the Fifteenth of June. The King took his Bed the better to consult on what he was to do; There were two things propounded, the one to delude the Polan∣ders, and to get out of that Country at soonest, according to the pressing desires [month June.] of the Queen Mother; the other to gain the good will and consent of the Se∣nate for his departure. The last was the most civil and becoming, the first the more expedite and certain. The King after he had secretly disposed of all things, [month June.] stole away in the Night between the Eighteenth and Nineteenth of June, got to Peizna, the first Town in Austria, and from thence to Vienna.

His evasion being known, the Polanders ran in multitudes to his Palace, a Troop of Four hundred Horse spurred after, but could not overtake him. The French that were left behind at Cracovia ran the hazard of being knocked on the Head, the Senate being assembled, gave order to stop the chiefest of them: Nevertheless, Charles Danzay, whom Henry had appointed for Ambassador to Denmark▪ coming to them, and giving some Reasons for his so sudden Depar∣ture, allayed their first fury. Then by the friendly Assistance of some Palatins whom the King had Charmed by his worthy Qualities, he so well managed those fiery Spirits, that they sent him back all his Equipage and Domestick Servants, humbly intreating him to return again, which he excused upon the Information he said he had received, that the Prince of Condé was ready to enter upon France with an Army of Thirty thousand Germains.

He spent Six dayes at Vienna, the Emperour entertain'd him with as great Affection as Magnificence: Being glad he had quitted the Crown of Poland, to

which he aspired, and that the House of France let go an advantage which made [Year of our Lord 1574] them Powerful on that side. It is said, he propounded the Marriage of his Daugh∣ter Isabella Widow of Charles IX. and advised him to let Peace enter with him in∣to his Kingdom, shewing him it would be the only means to obliterate the hor∣rid Idea's of the Massacres out of the Minds of those People, and to lay all the fault and load thereof upon the late King's Councellors. The Emperour's two Sons, Rodolph King of the Romans, and the Arch-Duke Ernestus, conducted him to the Frontiers of Friuli; He chose that Road to avoid all Attempts of the Elector Palatin, and the reproaching sight of the other Protestant Princes.

All what Ingenuity and Magnificence could contrive that might appear curious or obliging, was made use of by the Venetians to Honour the greatest King of all their Allies. In every City belonging to them, he was received as Soveraign. Four Senators cloathed in Scarlet Velvet Robes, received him at the side of the Gulf, presented him as many Boats lined with the same, and one for himself enriched with Gold and Azure, and hung within-side with Cloath of Gold on a blew ground, carrying him to the Island Moran, famous for Glass-work, where he lay that Night. The next day they put him aboard the Bucentauro, a Vessel never used but upon great Ceremonies, about which flocked a world of Gondola's, amongst the rest Two hundred not so much adorned by the riches of the Gold and Silver Ornaments about them, as the Beauty of those fair Ladies that sate in them. The Duke at his Landing in the City, presented him the Ca∣nopy of State born by Six Procurators of Saint Mark, and conducted him to the Palace they had prepared for him.

During Nine dayes he Sojourned at Venice, the Dukes of Savoy, Ferrara, and Mantoüa, who were come thither on purpose to honour him, accompanied him every where: The Seigneury defray'd both him, and all his Train, and caused a Hundred young Gentlemen to serve him all the while. He went to the Se∣nate to see the Method of their Balotting, was placed above the Duke, and per∣form'd all acts of Soveraignty. After this he saw the Arsenal with much Admi∣ration, but the Ladies with more Pleasure, and even the Curtesans, whom he found as Divertising as they were Beautiful: But some one amongst them was too Prodigal of a Favour which he repented all his life the having ac∣cepted it.

After those Nine dayes of Inchantments (so he called them) he took his fare∣wel of the Senate, and was accompanied by four Senators to Rodigino, the last place of the Signoria. From thence he was conducted to Ferrara, by that Duke's Cavalry, then having staid there Two dayes, he Embarqued on the Po and went to Turin: But first passed by Mantoüa, at the intreaty of Duke William Brother to the Duke of Nevers. Don Juan of Austria Governour of Milan, paid him the same Honours in Cremona, and the other Cities of that Dutchy where he passed; as if he had been King of Spain himself.

He remained at Turin Eight or Nine dayes. The Dutchess Margaret his Aunt, one of the wisest and most accomplish'd Princesses of her Age▪ gave him the same Counsel the Emperor had done, and the Duke presented Damville his Kinsman to him, whom he had sent for expresly upon his Parol, that he might restore him to his Favour. That Affection the King had otherwhile had for this Lord, revived again: He made him lye in his own Chamber, and wil∣lingly gave ear to his Advice for granting a Peace to the Huguenots, to ruine them afterwards by such Projects as he propounded, and to take all the Go∣vernment of State Affairs into his own hands. But the Queen Mother ha∣ving some hint of it, sent Chiverny and Fifes, who soon destroy'd all he had been Building in the King's Mind, and represented him so odly, that the King would have had him seized. The Dutchess finding this, gave notice of it to the said Lord, and the Duke sent a strong Convoy along with him to Nice, whence his Galleys carried him into Languedoc. When he found he was got clear, he Vow'd he would never see the King more, but in a Picture, nor did he break his Vow.

The becoming Civilities of the Duke, and kind Caresses of the Dutchess, whose graceful Presence, Wit and Royal Qualities, had yet preserved some Em∣pire over the French, and even over her Nephews, were not useless to them. The King was pleased, and being picqued with Generosity and Justice, promised to render up Pig••orol, Savigliani, and Perugia to the Duke, who made it appear plainly to him, that he could not detain them any longer, unless he chose rather

[Year of our Lord 1574] to be guided by what they call Maxims of State, than the common Rights of Men, and the Faith of Treaties. The Duke having obtained this Favour, gave him Four thousand Soldiers, and a Thousand Horse, to attend him to Lyons, lest the Huguenots of Daufiné should interrupt his Journey. He accompanied him in Person, and staid there some dayes, but was call'd away again before he had obtained the accomplishment of his Promises, having word brought him of the Death of the Dutchess his Wife, whom God called into the other World the Fourteenth of September.

Henry III. King LXI.

Aged XXIII years, almost compleat.

POPES,

• GREGORY XIII. Ten years and Seven Months under this Reign.
• SIXTUS V. Elected the 24th of April, 1585. S. Five years, Four Months, Three days; where∣of Four years, Twenty five days under this Reign.

[Year of our Lord 1574. September.] IT was the Fifth of September when King Henry arrived at Pont de Beauvoisin, the place which parts the Territories of France, from Savoy. The Queen his Mo∣ther went thither to meet him, and presented the Duke of Alenson, and the King of Navarre to him, to be disposed of as he pleased. He received them with ex∣traordinary coldness, though they saluted him with the greatest Humility; Some hours afterwards he granted them Pardon and Liberty, but it was only in appear∣ance, for he appointed Guards who secretly observed them; and there were certain Ladies, who ever held them in their amorous fetters, and denied them nothing, that they might dive into the secrets of their very Souls. In the same place he made Belle∣garde a Mareschal of France: he had promised him this Office whilst he was in favour, but now he was not so; he could not keep that post above Fifteen days, Du Gua had set him besides the Cushion, and got into his place.

One might, to speak properly, call the Reign of Henry III. the Reign of Favorites, The softness of his Soul, and his carelesness left him wholly in the hands of those Peo∣ple, who went on to enervate all that little virtue that was left in him, and to dissolve him in voluptuousness: So that they obscured the luster of all those brave actions, had been attributed to him, and would have put the whole World in doubt, whe∣ther he had ever any real share in them, had not some rayes of truly Royal qualities, darted sometimes through all those mists and foggs, and kept up his Reputation, Quelus, Maugiron, and St. Maigrin were his first Minions: Afterwards St. Luc, Ar∣ques, and the young la Valete, then Termes, since named Bellegarde, and some others.

The Queen-Mother was ravish'd to see him in those hands, because at first they gave her an exact account of his most secret Thoughts, and whilst they amused him, either in the Anti-chamber amongst the Ladies, or in his Closet, where he spent whole days in consultation about the trimming of a Suit of Cloaths, or the fitting of a Ruff, the retained almost all the Authority, not foreseeing that by little and little they would draw the greatest part even from her, together with the affection of her Son.

Now that they might the more entirely posses him, they did perswade him not to communicate himself so frequently to his Subjects as his Predecessors had wont: but to keep himself behind the skreen, like the Eastern Monarchs, and not be seen by [Year of our Lord 1574] them but in great splendour and magnificence, nor made known, but by absolute Commands; and above all, to dis-accustom and wean the French from making Remon∣strances to him, and to make them understand, that there was no other Law but his Will. Thereupon they wrought him to have a high opinion of himself; deafned and confounded him with their flatteries, and puft him up with an opinion, that he was the greatest Prince in the World; that he infinitely surpassed all the preceding Kings, that he had shew'd himself an absolute Master in Politiques, even in his first Essay, and

Apprentiship, and that the prudence of the most knowing and experienc'd Statesmen, was but meer ignorance in comparison of his.

Inebriated with these flattering perswasions, he establish'd new forms of Grandeur, set on foot again the Regiment of Guards of Ten Companies, (Charles IX. a little be∣fore his death, had reduced them to three) caused Banisters to be set round his Ta∣ble, went rarely abroad in publique, and always shut up in a Litter, or a Boat adorn∣ed with Gold and Painting in his Promenade, upon the smooth-fac'd River of Soane, and allowed the Grandees no more that credit of recommending the little ones to him, no not themselves, but by the credit and access of those Minions. There w••re no Favours but for them, they set all Offices and Governments at a high price, to wrest them out of the hands of such Noble Persons, who by the eminent Services of their Fathers, or their own Merits had justly acquired them; A great many of the best qua∣lified, finding they were but little regarded, retired from Court male-contented; and then the Favorites being at large, introduced that pernicious invention of* 1.39 Acquits Comptants, with which they have so often, and with impunity pillag'd and wasted the Kings Exchequer.

The Agents from the Duke of Savoy did mightily press for performance of the Kings promise, the Council were divided upon it. The Duke of Nevers, Governour for the King beyond the Alpes, who was gone to the Bathes d'Acqui in Mon••••••rrat for his wounds, sent a long Remonstrance to the King, to disswade him from it. His main Reasons, were the Right of Conveniency, and Self-Interest, which he confirmed by the examples of many Princes, who never did restore what was more advantageo••s, if kept. The King much applauded his Zeal, but however, whether prompted by generosity, and the honour of making good his Word, or that he really thought [Year of our Lord 1574] Justice was a Virtue that obliged Princes, as well as private persons: he would needs restore the three places to the Duke of Savoy, and ordained Henry Grand Prior of France his Bastard-Brother, and Fises Secretary of State, to go and make the said Evacuation. As for the Duke of Nevers, he not only demanded a discharge of his Government beyond the Alpes, and an Act, importing, T••at nothing of this resti∣tution should ever hereafter be imputed to him, nor to his; but likewise made his pro∣testations in the Council established in those forreign parts, and in the Parliament of Grenoble, and obtain'd a Decree, that his Protest should ••e Registred in those Courts, and an In••••rument for his discharge should be allowed him.

At the beginning of his Reign, the King made several excellent Regulations for the Officers of his House, for those that were to come into his Chamber, the times to give Audience, and Petitions to be presented to him. Touching these last, he or∣der'd the Petitioners should draw them Ticket-wise in few words, which he would answer himself, then deliver them to a Secretary of State for their dispatch. These Orders held but a short while, he grew weary of observing them, and they left off presenting any Placets or Tickets to him, w••••n they found it was but time lost, in ad∣dressing themselves to him, when such Grants were disposed of by another power.

There were two parties in his Council, the one, who above all things labour'd for Peace, and the Reformation of the State; the other were for exterminating the Hugue∣nots, at what rate soever. The Chancellor de L'Hospital had been once the Head of the First, Paul de Foix, Christopher de Thou First President, and Pibrac succeeded him in those Sentiments and Inclinations; Morvilliers was of the Second, a very good Man, but addicted to new Devotions; and one that follow'd the motions of Forreign Ca∣bals, which having their rise in Spain, and at Rome, made Religion subservient to the exaltation of their own Power. This Second Party being found conformable to the interest of the Mother-Queen was the more prevalent, and made them resolve on a War against the Hugnenots.

In Poitou, Montpensier besieged Lusignan, he could not take it till four Months after, and demolish'd it. In Daufiné his Son attaqued the little Town of Pousin, which in∣terrupted the commerce between Lyons and Marseilles, by the River Rhosne, as Livron hindred it by Land. The place being reduced to extremity, St. Romain gets into it [Year of our Lord 1574] by broad day-light, under the favour of a brisk combat; and the night following, happily led out all the Soldiers and Inhabitants. The next day the Besiegers set it on Fire.

Being just on the point to besiege Livron, the Queen-Mother ordered the Com∣mand of the Army to be given to the Mareschal de Bellegarde: This was because she would not have all the power in the House of Bourbon, and withal she thought by this means to break off the correspondence and amity which was between Bellegarde and Damville, whom she had undertaken to ruine. It was for this purpose she carried the

King to Avignon, the better to stir up Languedoc, and entangle the said Lord in some artificial Negotiation.

In this perplexity and confusion of Affairs, Galantry was the most serious occu∣pation of the Court. By this means the Queen-Mother bred and maintained continu∣al jealousies between the King of Navarre, and the Duke of Alenson; and thought likewise to captivate the King her Son with Beauties Fetters. The Dame de Chasteau∣neuf his antient Mistriss, and two other Maids belonging to the Queen-Mother, seem∣ed to have some little share in his Heart: but it was the Princess of Conde that Reign∣ed in full possession there. He had resolv'd to Marry her, and to that end, labour'd to vacate her Marriage with the Prince for his crime of Heresy; for she continued still a Catholique, ever since the dismal St. Bartholomew.

Though the Queen had neither perswasive Language, nor power enough to pre∣vail with him to lay aside this design; yet death came to her aid, and cutting the thred of that fair Princesses Life, put an end to that pernicious prosecution, leav∣ing great cause of doubt to the more suspicious, how it should just fall out at that very nick of time. The grief the King resented, was almost mortal; he mourn••d three whole days without either eating or drinking. And when they had prevailed with him to live, not by consoling him, but by pretending to increase his sorrows; it was some time before he would cast his Eyes on any but the most melancholy Objects, dark Rooms, dejected Countenances, wearing even at the taggs of his Rubans, and on his Shooe-knots little Deaths-heads; then after a while recover'd himself all on a sudden, rowzed up his drooping Spirits, and was so much ashamed of his own effeminate weak∣ness, that he endeavour'd to perswade the world, there must have been some enchant∣ment in it.

[Year of our Lord 1574] This death hapned whilst he was yet at Lyons. During his stay at Avignon, the Court was afflicted for that of the Cardinal de Lorrain. Some said, it came by a grievous cold he had taken by walking barefoot in the Procession of Penitents; others imagined, it was from the steams of some poysoned Flambeaux carried purposely be∣fore him.

* 1.40 Bellegarde in the mean time did not much advance before Livron, he was forced to detache a party of his Men to go and make head against Montbrun, who very much harassed Daufine. On the other hand Damville had besieged and taken St. Gilles, whence the thundering of his Cannon was heard in Avignon; and afterwards having taken Aigues-Mortes by surprize, he threatned to pass the Rhosne; insomuch as the King finding his Presence in that Countrey, only made his Authority seem despicable, returned by way of Lyons.

As he passed along the Camp that was before Livron, the besieged railed and called after him in outrageous Language, and he had the displeasure of not being able to revenge the insolency. His Forces were so shatter'd, that he gave Orders to raise the Siege, spreading a report, that he wanted them to attend and assist at his Coronation. Thus he stumbled at the very entrance into his Kingdom, and gave his own A••thority and Power so rude a shock, as made it ever after in a weak and stag∣gering condition.

[Year of our Lord 1575. January and February.] He parted from Lyons about mid-January, arrived the 12th of February at Reims, and was Crowned three days after by the Cardinal de Guise, the See being vacant. The Duke of Guise who was yet in Favour, had the precedency of the Duke of Mont∣pensier. This latter being come within two Leagues of Reims, resolved to carry it this time, received an Order from the King, which forbid him coming any nearer. The next day the King Married Lovisa, Daughter of Nicholas, Earl of Vaudemont, pater∣nal Uncle of Charles II. Duke of Lorrain; the Cardinal de Lorrain had when living, made the first proposal for this Match.

When the King had made his entrance into Paris with his new Spouse, the Depu∣ties for the Protestant and Politique Party, came thither to discourse concerning a Peace, having first consulted by their Envoyez, with the Prince of Condé, who was at Basil. They demanded Right might be done them upon Ninety two Articles, many of which sounded very boldly; but those that shock'd most, were the holding of the General Estates, the lessening of the Tailles, and reducing them to the same Standard they were in under Lewis XII. and that exemplary punishment should be inflicted up∣on Atheists and Blasphemers, and the Laws and Ordonnances put in execution against [Year of our Lord 1575] those enormous and infamous Pailliardise, which provoked, and called down the wrath of God upon France. This malicious censure rendred the Huguenots more execrable at the Court, then either their Rebellions, or their Heresie.

These Conferences which lasted above Three Months, and the several Negotia∣tions, wherewith they endeavoured to amuse the Rochellers and Damville, were so far from healing all the suspitions, fears, and animosities in the minds of either party, that they rather more increased and envenomed them. So that the War continued every where. In the neighbourhood of Montauban which was invested by the Catho∣liques, and delivered by Choupes, who marched thither with the Forces of la Noüe: In Auvergne, where Montal was defeated and slain by a Dame, whom we may equal to the Amazones (this was Magdeline de Sainct Neciaire* 1.41 Widow of Guy de Sainct Exupery Miraumont, always followed by Threescore of the bravest Gentlemen, who strove to do prodigious feats of Arms to merit her favour); In Perigord, where Lan∣goiran surprized, and cruelly sack'd the City of Perigueux; In Languedoc, where Dam∣ville did as much at Ʋzez, and at Alez; and in Daufiné where Montbrun gained a Battle against Gordes his enemy near Die, and besieged him in that Town.

Some days after, going forth to meet some Forces that were coming to deliver him, he was himself defeated, taken, and sent to the Parliament of Grenoble, who made his Process, and condemned him to lose his Head. This was in punishment for his having plundered the King's baggage, and making this insolent reply to those that blamed him for it, That Gaming and War made all men equal. Francis de Bonne Lesdiguieres, [month February.] a private Gentleman, but who had already attained to a great reputation, supplied his Place in Daufiné, and raised himself to a much nobler height, by restoring a strict Military Discipline, then the other had ever been able to do, by permitting all manner of Licentiousness.

I shall pass over in silence, those disturbances the Government of the Mareschal de Rais occasioned in Provence, and the two Factions which troubled that Province, [Year of our Lord 1574] the one bearing the name of Carcistes, from the Count de Carces, Lieutenant for the King, who was their Head; the other, Rasats * 1.42, who opposed his exactions. Nor shall I mention some exploits of Montclue, whom they had newly made a Mareschal of France; For they were inconsiderable; and after that, the ill-favour'd wound in his Face, by a Musquet shot, at his besieging of Rabasteins, for which he wore a Vizor-Masque, the Huguenots dreading him no more then a Girl.

The Senate of Poland besought the King, with all the respect and deference ima∣ginable, that he would be pleased to return into that Countrey, if not, they would proceed to the election of another. Pibrac, whom the Queen-Mother had sent thither to get the term prolonged, found they had passed a Decree, of the Four∣teenth of July, signifying that the Crown was vacant as by death, and that the Estates should proceed to a new Election. Finding they were resolved upon it, he thought it more becoming and decent to retire, then be spectator of the affront they were going to do his Master. In the Diet they were divided into two parties, whereof the one elected the Emperour Maximilian, the other Sigismond Bathory, Prince of Transylvania, upon condition, he should Marry Anne, Sister of the deceas∣ed King. This last more diligent then his Rival, posted immediately to Poland, Married the Princess, and got himself into Possession, which would have occasioned infinite troubles, if death had not prevented it, by snatching Maximilian out of the World.

A Court overflowing with voluptuousness, and where all was steered by other hands then the Sovereign Pilots, could not but be mightily agitated by the continual intrigues of busy Women, and of Favourites. Du Gua and Souvré were then the [month June, &c.] Kings chief Darlings; the Queen-Mother employ'd these to set the Duke of Alenson and the King of Navarre at variance, and to scatter some seeds of jealousie between the King and his Wife, for fear she should make her self Mistriss of her Husbands Affairs, pursuant to the Councils of the Duke of Guise. They had likewise frequent counterscuff••es with the brave Bussy d'Amboise, Favourite to the Duk of Alenson, and with the Queen of Navarre, who upheld the courage of that Prince, upon whom they were eternally putting their little tricks.

It hapned about this time the King fell sick, they made him believe he was poi∣son'd [month August.] by his Brother. Upon this imagination he sends for the King of Navarre, and commanded him to rid his hands of that mischievous Man, so he termed him: but in∣stead of obeying him in his revenge, tho that were to bring him one step nearer to the Throne, he abhorred it, and left the King the time to repent it.

[Year of our Lord 1575] When he was recover'd, the Mareschal de Montmorency ran great risque of his Life: those that had been the occasion of his confinement, having just cause to fear he would resent it, if he got out of the Bastille, resolved to thrust him out of the world, that they might fall no more under such apprehensions. To this end, they reported, that Damville, who alone could deter them from so damnable an attempt, was dead: Indeed he was very sick of some morsel, which had been given him: and upon this ru∣mour, they perswaded the King to give order to Souvré, to strangle the Mareschal in prison: but Souvré, though they assured him of being made Captain of Bois de Vin∣cennes, after the feat done, made so many delays, that they had certain news of the recovery of Damville, and so durst not lay violent hands upon his Brother.

The Duke of Alenson, out-braved by the Favourites, had plotted to get away: the King having notice of it, causes both him, and all those that were suspected to have given him such advice to be seized; but the next day, upon the Queen-Mothers in∣tercession, pardon'd him, and to compleat the favour, did likewise set the other prisoners at large. That done, as if he had nothing more to fear, he gave himself wholly up to idleness, passed the Night-time in Feasting and Balls; the Morning in adjusting his Cloaths or placing his Furniture to the best advantage, and invent new modes; the Afternoon in divertisements amongst the Ladies; and the Evening in Gaming.

While he lived in this great security, the Duke his Brother deceives those that were commanded to watch him, and slipping away one evening, the Fifteenth of September, reached the City of Dreux, where Bussy, who had forsaken the Court, brought him a great deal of company. At his going away, he declared himself an enemy to the House of Guise, and openly protested to revenge the death [month Septemb.] of the Admiral, and of Molle his Favourite. Amongst the Cloaths in his Wardrobe, he kept a Doublet belonging to the last, and had sworn he would wear it on a day of Battle. If the Duke of Montpensier would have joyned with the Duke of Nevers, or have lent him his Forces, he might have hindred from passing the Loire, and getting into Berry. For all Montpensiers refusal, he had a great mind to charge them, and marched with great speed to intercept him; but the Queen-Mother sent a Courier with an express Order under her own hand, which commanded him not to pursue them any further: she fearing her Son might perish in the Fight.

Upon the noise of the Duke of Alensons evasion, great numbers of the Nobility flocked to him from all parts, amongst others, Ventadour, Turenne, and the wise La Noüe. In the mean while, the Prince of Condé had finished his Treaty with Casimir, who raised him Eight thousand Reisters, and Six thousand Swiss; upon this conditi∣tion, [Year of our Lord 1575] amongst other things, that they should make no Peace without his consent, nor until they had obtained of the King the Government in chief of Mets, Toul, and Verdun for him.

Toré having contributed Fifty thousand Crowns towards these Levies, they could not refuse to let him have Two thousand Reisters* 1.43 and Five hundred Foot, to carry the Duke of Alenson by way of advance: but the Duke of Guise, Governour of Champagne, charged and defeated them near Chasteau-Thierry. He was there wounded in the left Cheek with a Musquet-shot, the scar remained all his life-time; a very Glorious mark of Honour to the Catholiques, and very becoming in a Ladies Eyes al∣so, who believe, that such as are brave in the Field of Mars, are ever so in the Camp of Venus too. Toré made his escape to the Duke of Alenson in Berry, by the swiftness [☜] of his Horse, and thither his Infantry got safely by a brave retreat of above Thirty Leagues.

It was suspected that the Duke of Alensons evasion was contrived by the Queen-Mother, thereby to keep up two parties in the Kingdom, and render her self ne∣cessary between both. The Huguenots growing every day more suspicious, imagi∣ned she had sent him amongst them to divide, and so to ruine them. However it were, most of the great ones were very well pleased with it, and she had employment enough cut out for her self, as she desired. She therefore presently hies after him, taking along the Mareschals of Montmorency and Cosse, whom she had released from their imprisonment, to make use of that credit they had with him. Montmorency pre∣vailed so far by his interest, as to bring the Duke to the Castle of Champigny, be∣longing to the Duke of Montpensier, where she cajoled him so finely, that he consent∣ed to a truce of Six Months, beginning from the Two and twentieh of November. That done, she returns to Court, leaving the said Mareschal there, to dispose him to a final accommodation.

It was agreed by this Truce, that the King should give to the Duke by way of security, the Cities of Angoulesme, Niort, Saumur, Bourges and la Charite; and to the Prince of Conde, Mezieres. The Governours of Bourges and Angoulesme, having refused to be diseised of their places, the Queen-Mother returns again to her Son, [month Decemb.] and managed him so well, that she obliged him to accept of Cognac and St. Jean d'An∣gely in exchange; after which, the Truce was published the Two and twentieth of December.

There was however nothing as yet that tended to a Peace: the King made great Le∣vies both of Men and Money; but the City of Paris, instead of furnishing him with the sums he desired, paid him with Remonstrances, which relished of reproaches, and did but too evidently let him know, the little esteem they had of his Govern∣ment. Some Bourgeois however paid Taxes, not so much out of good Will, as the fear they had of the Reisters, and to exempt their Countrey-houses from quartering of Soldiers, wherewith they were menaced.

[month January.] The Negotiations for Peace continued still; this stopt the Prince of Conde and Casimir in Lorrain all the month of January, at the end whereof, being tired with the variety, and uncertainty of such Propositions as were made them; they descend∣ed into Bassigny, crossed over Burgundy, within sight of Langres, Dijon, and Beaulne, passed the Loir, at Marsigny les Nonains, and extended themselves between that River, and the River of Allier, having gained the Bridge de Vichy. Auvergne avoided that [month February.] inundation which would have destroy'd it, by a Present of Fifty thousand Crowns, and by ordering Markets to serve them with Provisions where-ever they passed.

The Duke of Mayenne, who commanded the Royal Army, durst not approach the Princes any nearer then within two days march. When the King perceived, they were resolved to come directly to Paris, he recalled his own, and quarter'd them about it: but this remedy which he thought sit to provide against their fears, exci∣ted the Parisians complaints, they fall a crying out, that they ought not thus pursue the only Brother of the King; and that it was a high piece of cruelty, to drive a Son out of the House. To these out-cries were added the Duke of Montpensiers refusal, to take upon him the Command of the Royal Army; the little zeal the Grandees ex∣press'd to serve the King in this occasion; and a much more surprising accident then all these, which was the evasion of the King of Navarre, about the end of February.

This Prince having a long while suffer'd himself to be flatter'd with the hopes of the General-Lieutenancy, and the deluding charms of some Court Syrens, escaped at last from Senlis, whither he was gone, under pretence of a Hunting-match, and re∣tired to Poissy, from thence to Alenson, afterwards to Vendosme. Two hundred Gen∣tlemen [month February.] coming there to meet him, he travelled by long journeys into Guyenne, where his quality of Governour, and that of Prince, did secure him of all the Nobility, and the best places, upon his first arrival. Laverdin had promised him to seize upon Mans and Chartres, by the assistance of Roquelaure, Lieutenant of his Company d'Ordonnance. Fervaques was to have done the same at Cherbourg; but both of them failed of their Enterprizes.

[month March.] The Princes Army having cross'd the Bourbonnois, joyned the Duke of Alensons near Moulins, the Eleventh day of March, and both of them mustered in the Plain [Year of our Lord 1576. March.] de Souzé, where the Prince having made an excellent harangue to the Duke of Alen∣son, with that Eloquence which is natural to the Princes of that House, resigned the Command of the whole Army to him.

It consisted of above Thirty thousand of the best Men that one should see; not∣withstanding with these great Forces, no great matter was undertaken. For the mar∣vellous dexterities of the Queen, which the Huguenots termed Enchantments: the ex∣travagant and changeable humour and designs of the Duke d'Alenson, and the usual rough temper of the Reistres, made them halt at every step: Withal, great discords were crept in among their Chiefs; for the Consistorial Huguenots would not conside in the Duke of Alensons Council, wholly composed of People, both interressed and persidious. The Duke had taken some jealousie upon the King of Navarre's going away; the Prince of Conde was no less troubled, that he was not the Chief Comman∣der of that Army, which had been the fruits of his own labour and care: And Dam∣ville, who had formed his Tetracby in Languedoc, apprehended to see his Authority, swallowed up by the Princes, and which was more, the Money he had for his own purposes, collected in Languedoc, and which his Wife had with much care and co∣votousness locked up as prisoners of the better sort in her own Coffers.

All joyn'd together, they might have had whatever they desired, the Duke of Alen∣son might have obtained a good part of the Kingdom for Appenage, and the Princes such Governments and Pensions as they would; the Huguenots a firm and solid Peace, [☜] and inviolable securities; but a way was found out to divide them, with baits of par∣ticular Interests, which however cannot be attained with so much advantage by any other method, as a strickt union of the whole party, in all its members. The most easy to be taken off, was the Duke of Alenson, as appeared at the Conference they had at Moulins, concerning a Peace: However, nothing was there concluded; but only the sending of some Propositions to the King, by John de Laffin Beauvais, and William Dauvet Darenes.

After the Council had examined them with great deliberation, but without any fruit, the Queen-Mother returned a second time to her Strayed Son (so she called him) who was in the Abbey of Beaulieu, near Loches in Touraine, taking along with her the Mareschal de Montmorency, in whom that Prince had a great deal of confidence, and a great Troop of very fine Women, whom she set forth in all her Negotiations, as Lime-twigs, or Nooses, to catch those with whom she Treated. [Year of our Lord 1576]

Prince Casimir obstructed the accommodation for some time, he obstinately per∣sisting to have the Government of Mets, Toul and Verdun, in chief, and would have had the Churches belonging to the Catholiques to be in common for the Huguenots, without the trouble and charge of building any others. The Queen-Mother having discoursed him in private, found an expedient to stop his Mouth and satisfy him by promising great sums of Money to make him desist from those demands: So that the Treaty was finished the Ninth of May, and Signed the day following. The Edict [month May.] was drawn the Fifteenth, and verified in Parliament the same day, the King being present, that there might be no cause of delay.

It were much more advantageous for the Huguenots then the precedent ones, for it allowed them the free exercise of their Religion (which from that time forward was to be called The pretended Reformed Religion) over all the Kingdom, without exception either of time or place, provided they had the permission of the Lords of those places; allowed them places for burial of their dead, especially that of the Trinity at Paris: Moreover, the faculty of being admitted to all Offices, and into Colledges, Hospitals, and Spittles; Forbid the making any search or inquisition after such Priests and Monks as were Married amongst them, and declared their Children Legitimate, and capable of succeeding and inheriting their Estates and Moveables; expressed great sorrow and regret for the Murthers committed on the St. Bartholomew, exempted the Children of such as were then Massacred, from the Arrier-ban, if they were Gentlemen, and from Tailles, if they were Plebeian, revoked all Sentences given against la Molle, Coconas, John de la Haye, Lieutenant-General in the Presidial of Poitiers; as also those whereby they had condemned the Admiral Brequemaut, Cae∣vagnes, Montgomery, Montbrun, and others of the Religion, owned the Prince with Damville and his Associates for his good Subjects, Casimir for his good Allie and Neigh∣bour, and accounted all what they had done as done for his Service. Granted to the Religionaries (that they might have equal justice done to them) Chambers My-Par∣ties * 1.44, in each Parliament, and for places of security, Beaucaire, and Aigues-Mortes in Languedoc, Perigueux, and le Mas de Verdun in Guyenne, Nions and Serre in Daufiné, Issoire in Auvergne, and Sene la Grand Tour in Provence.

They promised also to Prince Casimir, the Seignieury of Chasteau-Thierry in Prin∣cipality, a Company of an hundred Men at Arms, the Command of Forty thousand Reistres, Twelve thousand Crowns of Gold in Pension, Seven hundred thousand Crowns [Year of our Lord 1576] of Silver ready Money, for the payment of his Army, and Rings and Jewels in pawn for the rest. To the Prince of Conde, the effectual enjoyment of the Government of Picardy, whereof he had the Title already, and Peronne for his place of Residence. The conditions for the Duke of Alenson were the best, they gave him in augmentati∣on of his Appenage, the Countreys of Berry, Tourain, and Anjou, with the right of no∣mination to consistorial Benefices, as his Brother Henry formerly had; and besides an hundred thousand Crowns Pension.

[month October.] The greatest difficulty was to find the Money they wanted for Casimir, to whom they had assigned the Bishoprick of Langres for Quarters, where he lived, German-like, while waiting for his Pay. They sent Peter de Gondy, Bishop of Paris to Rome, to ask consent of his Holiness, to alienate as much as amounted to Fifty thousand Livres Rent, of the Demeasnes Ecclesiastical: the Holy Father agreed to the Demand, and gave a Bull, directed to the Cardinals of Bourbon, Guise, and Est, and to some other French Prelates, the Parliament verified it, but without approving that clause, which mention'd, That the distraction should be made, even manger* 1.45 the Possessors.

* 1.46 The Duke of Anjou, (so we shall name him henceforward, whom we have hitherto called Duke of Alenson) after the Peace, made his residence at Bourges, where Bussy d'Amboise, Fervaques, Laffin, Simiers, and some other Favourites of his obliged him to stay for their own advantage, or for their security. Towards the end of October, he was prevailed upon to go to Court, by the perswasions of the Queen-Mother, and came to salute the King at the Castle d'Olinville, near Chastres. The King received so much joy by this visit, that he gave notice by Letters Patents of it to all his King∣dom. Bussy would not follow his Master, but went and setled his Habitation in the Castle of Angiers, chusing rather, said he, to play the King in that Countrey, then the Waiting-man, or Valet at Court.

As soon as they had thus withdrawn the Duke of Anjou, they began to continue the ruine of the Huguenots, to form powerful Leagues, as well within the Kingdom, which we shall presently mention, as without, by communication with Don Juan of Austria, whom King Philip was sending Governour to the Low-Countreys, and with the Popes Legat. [Year of our Lord 1576] Don Juan and the Legat arriving at Court on the very same day, and from different places; the first incognito, and the other in great state, had access, and very private Con∣ference with the Kings Council, and yet more particularly with the Duke of Guise. The Queen-Mothers aim was in the first place, to take off the King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condé from the party, and in order to this, she was resolved to make a journey into Guyenne, and discourse with them: but whether she found they were not so disposed as she desired, to be deluded by her, or not, she did not go.

In the mean time these two Princes, who had no secure retreat for their Persons, endeavour'd to make sure of some; the Prince with more Craft then Faith, or fair Play, seized upon Brouage, having order'd some Companies to slip in; then upon Mi∣rembean himself, who was Lord thereof, whom he forced to put him in possession of the place, promising however to render it again within three Months. In effect he did render it to him, but soon after, seized it the Second time upon some jealousie, either real or pretended. The Rochellers took the allarm, and the Court fomented their suspitions so much, that the Mayor sent to desire the Prince not to come to Rochel; but the Ministers and People made them change that resolution, and ordered, that he should be invited, provided he brought no more then his ordinary attendance. Thus the Court plainly perceived he was not so absolute over the party, as he would have made them believe.

The late conjunction of the Duke of Alenson with the Religionaries and Politiques, and the advantageous Peace granted to them, produced that mightly Faction, to which the Authors of it gave the name of Holy Ʋnion, and the vulgar that of The League; or to say better, revived and fagotted together, all the other particular ones, which had been already formed in divers parts, under the Reign of Charles IX. For the Lords during those troubles, had taken the confidence to make Treaties and Confederacies amongst themselves, without asking permission of the King; and the People arrogated to themselves, the liberty of giving their Oaths to others besides their Sovereign, justifying themselves by presidents, drawn from the Huguenots, who indeed shewed them first the example. Thus they framed one in Languedoc, between the Cardinals de Strossy and Armagnac, and some Lords of that Countrey; another again in Bourdelois, of which the Marquis de Trans, of the House of Foix was Ge∣neral; another much greater, whereof Montluc advised Charles IX. to be the Head. There were also certain Fraternities joyned in Burgundy, which to speak properly, were a kind of a League; Besides that in Limosin, in the Vivarets, and some other Pro∣vinces; the People armed to defend themselves against all Soldiers of either party. [Year of our Lord 1576] They tell us likewise that the Queen-Mother had given notice to Charles IX. that if he would not consent to the Massacre on St. Bartholomews, there was a League ready form'd should execute it without him; and it is certain, that upon the apprehension there was of King Henry's being stopt in Poland, several Associations were made in the Provinces, to preserve the State and the Catholique Religion.

So that it was but only the joyning and cimenting all these distinct parties together, to make up the great Body of the League. The zealous Catholiques were the instru∣ments; the new Religious Orders, the Paranymphs and Trumpeters; the Grandees of the Kingdom, the Authors and Heads. The easy temper of the King gave way to its growth, and the Queen-Mother lent it her helping hand. She was not prompted to it by any zeal for Religion, nor for any love or kindness towards the Guises, but out of her mortal hatred to the Huguenots; above all other Reasons, because they earnestly desired, she should give an account of her Administration, and bawled open mouth'd against the disorders of the Court, and the enormous Vices of the Italians, especially against the new and vexations Tolls and Faxes those strangers invented eve∣ry day.

The Pope and the King of Spain were the promoters of it, this because the Hugue∣nots were in friendship with the Gueux, the Rebels in the Low-Countreys, and he ap∣prehended lest the Duke of Anjou grown more powerful, might affect to embrace the Sovereignty of those Provinces, or that the King of Navarre, young and valiant, would endeavour to wrest that Kingdom out of his hands, which he so unjustly de∣tained from him; the other, because he feared the Huguenots might become so strong, as would oblige the King to hold a National Council; and believed withal, that if he could but exterminate them in France, he might very easily attain his ends, and trample on all the Protestants elsewhere.

Now the League appeared first in Picardy. The People in that Countrey, ignorant and devout, but hot-headed, easily took fire, upon the apprehension was spread on purpose amongst them, how the Prince of Condé would plant his Religion in that Province, if he came to make his Residence at Peronne, pursuant to the Treaty of Peace. James de Humieres, Governour of Peronne, Montdidier, and Roye, great in Estate and Credit, induced the Nobility, and most of the Cities in that Province to sign it; and Aplincourt, a young Gentleman of his kindred, took the Oaths of the In∣habitants of Peronne. The Duke of Guise, and the Duke of Mayenne engaged Cham∣pagne, and then Burgundy to do the like; Lewis de la Tremouille prevailed in Poitou, being offended with the Huguenots, who now and then surprized some Castle of his; withal desirous to impugne the Count de Lude Governour of the Province. In fine, this Faction which had this taken root in every Province, did on a suddain shoot forth such thick and lofty branches, that it both cover'd and eclipsed, nay, almost stifled the whole Regal Authority.

When the Huguenots demanded with such instance the Estates-General, they belie∣ved verily they should have had the stronger party, as they had at Orleans. They reck'ned, besides the Deputies of their own Religion and that Faction, they should also have the Politiques, whom the Duke of Anjou's Interest, and the enemies to the pre∣sent Government would introduce. They knew not that the Duke of Anjou was tempted from them, nor did they consider they had not their Admiral de Coligny (that over-ruling Genius, who at a pinch could work with new and unknown Springs and Engines, of a wonderful effect) nor that fraternal unity, without which, no great design can ever prosper.

Thus it was not very difficult for the Queen-Mother, and the Guises, employing their Practises and Moneys in the Provinces (which the Italian Maltostiers willingly furnished, because they apprehended to be called to account for their depredations, by the Estates:) to obtain the election of Deputies wholly at their devotion, and to chalk all their business for them, according to their own private Instructions, which they sent into the Provinces; insomuch as it was openly said, that they ought not to keep their Faith with Heretiques, the Huguenots, but break the Edict which they had extorted by force; which some began to confirm by effects: Honoré d'Albert, cal∣led Captain Luynes, having turned Toré out of the City du Pont St. Esprit, and put a Garrison into the place, to secure that passage over the Rhosne.

By mid-November most of the Deputies were come to Blois, made their Comple∣ments to the King, the Queens, the Duke of Anjou, and the Chancellour, met each Order apart, elected their Presidents, the Clergy, Peter d'Espinac Archbishop of Lyons, the Nobility, Claude de Beaufremont, Senescey; The Third Estate, Nicholas i'Hullier, Prevost des Marchands at Paris; spent the rest of the Month in regulating [month November.] their Sessions, communicated to each other the substance of their Papers of Instru∣ctions, and went all to receive the Holy Communion in St. Nicholas Church: After which, the several Governours were called upon according to their ranks.

[month December.] [Year of our Lord 1576] Things thus in order, the First Session was held upon Thursday the Sixth of Decem∣ber, in the great Hall belonging to the Castle. The King after he had saluted them by pulling off his Bonnet, and a little inclination of his Head, made a handsome and eloquent Speech; wherein having represented the grievances of the Nation, and the great need there was of healing those wounds and fractures, he protested that all his Desires and Thoughts tended thereunto, as the only safe harbor for his Reputation and Happiness, and exhorted them to joyn Hearts and Hands with him in so good a work, assuring them, upon the Faith, and Word of a King, that he would cause all such Orders and Regulations they should think fit to make in that Assembly, to be in∣violably observed, and put in execution, and would never give or allow of any dis∣pensation [✚] to the contrary.

His Harangue did not appear more eloquent and moving, then that of his Chan∣cellour Birague was tedious and ridicule; For after some excuse for his old age, and

his ignorance of the Affairs* 1.47 of France, because he was a stranger, he spun out a long discourse of the power of the King, and tired his Auditory with the fulsome praises of the Queen-Mother, then concluded, by demanding Money, to which they were but very little disposed.

The Sentiments of the Estates were neither agreeable to the intentions of the King, nor those hopes the Huguenots had conceived. In these Assemblies, there were al∣ways some old Stagers, who put the rest in mind of the antient and natural Rights of the People, against which, they cannot imagine there lies any prescription; These Men obliged the Arch-Bishop of Lyons, to demand of the King, the Ratification of all those points which had been resolved upon by the Three Orders. The King fan∣cied this was done by some contrivance of the Authors of the League, who desired he should give up part of his Authority to the Estates, that so they might receive it from their hands again.

[Year of our Lord 1577] It is most certain, his Favourites had stamp'd a deep impression of jealousie in his mind concerning the Duke of Guise, which did the more easily affect him, when he consider'd what proffer that Duke made him, to hinder him from going into Poland; and he must from that very time, have conspired his ruine, if he believed there were any Truth in certain Memoires, which were spread about, and which they said, had been carried to Rome by an Advocate in Parliament, named David, when he went to solicite for the Popes Bull, to settle Paul de Foix in the Arch-Bishoprick of Thoulouze. They contained divers Reasons to be urged, to perswade the Pope to degrade the House of Capet, who had usurped the Crown, and to re-establish in the Throne the [Year of our Lord 1577] descendants of Charlemain (that is to say, the Guises) and withall, the way and means to execute so great a design.

Some would needs believe, those Memoires were supposed, and the most equitable think, if they were real, they were only the product of that Advocates black melan∣choly, exasperated by some damage he had suffer'd from the Huguenots. There is great likelyhood, that either the Minions, the Huguenots or the Queen-Mother, all mortal enemies to the Guises, had forged them: as it is most certain they reported, and set on foot many other calumnies to render them odious. And truly the Guises, were not behind hand, in flinging the like dirt upon them: and for this reason we must not give too much credit to the Writings and Relations of those times, unless we [☞] do very curiously examine them.

However it were, the King finding the Estates grew hot upon the matters of Reli∣gion, and that they were upon the point of demanding a Head for the League, and about to name one to him, who without doubt, must have been the Duke of Guise, he would needs be so himself, and Signed it with his own hand, made all the Gran∣dees Sign it, and sent it to Paris, and into the Provinces, with Orders for all persons to do the same. Thus of a King, he became chief of a Cabal, and of their com∣mon Father, an enemy to one part of his Subjects.

This was not enough, the more vehement, who by virtue of their popular out∣cries, and pretended grievances, are wont to draw on others; mightily press'd for a Revocation of the Edict, and sounded an Alarm to War by the months of Versoris and Bigot, two Deputies, the first for Paris, the other for Rouen; and also the Bishops, as well for the same end, as for the interest of their own Grandeur, demanded the publication of the Council of Trent. The Chapters opposed this last point, and the particular Deputies of the King of Navarre, and Prince of Condé, protested a nullity, if they revoked the Edict of Pacification.

Soon after, the Estates having besought the King, not to suffer any other Religion but the Catholique; he clearly answered, that it was his intention, that he had so promised to God on the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. That he would have his Sub∣jects forwarn'd to give no Faith to whatever he might do or say to the contrary, and that if he were reduced to that condition, he would not keep his Oath, but till such time as he could recover strength sufficient, and the opportunity to break it. The Deputies for the Huguenots much astonished at these words, and the resolution of the Estates, made their protestations against them, and the greatest part of them reti∣red [Year of our Lord 1577] from Blois, and went to give a hot alarm to Rochel, and in Languedoc.

Whatever resolution the King shewed, nevertheless he so much feared the losing of his Rest, and angmenting the power of the Guises, that he would needs have the Estates send to the two Princes, and to Damville, to invite them to come to the Assembly; and in the mean time, that he might have some Warranty from the pub∣lique, for the War which was now to begin; he desired to have the Advice and Opi∣nion of the chief Lords, and of his Principal Counsellors in Writing. They all con∣cluded

that it was just and necessary: not perhaps that they really believed so, but they thought it was his desire to make it, or at least to pretend such desire, to get some round sums of Money from the Estates.

He demanded two Millions of Gold for the said Expences, and the Favourites made use of all the Engines and Tricks imaginable, to get this grand Elizir. The Third Estate, who knew too well that they must pay for all, could never be per∣swaded to consent thereto, no more then to the alienation of the demeasne; con∣cerning which, Bodin having proved with a freedom, Confidence and Liberty truly Gallican, that the funds of the Demeasne appertained to the Provinces, and that the King was but the simple Usager, he so fully perswaded the Assembly to be of this Sentiment, that they answered Bellievre, whom the King sent to them about it, That [☜] the common Right, and the Fundamental Law of the Nation, rendred the thing ab∣solutely impossible.

[Year of our Lord 1577] With these dispositions was held the Second Sessions the Seventeenth of January, at the same place, and in the same order as the First. The Archbishoy of Lyons Ora∣tor of the Clergy, and the Baron de Senescey, of the Nobility, began their harangues [month January.] on their knees, their Deputies standing up, and being uncover'd: But at the Second period they were bid to rise, and their Deputies sate down and were cover'd. The Orator of the Third Estate had been Treated in the very same manner at the Assembly of the Estates at Orleance: but here they let him kneel almost half an hour, their De∣puties standing all the while, and bare-headed. They had commanded this last (it was Versoris) to beseech the King to make all his Subjects conform to one Religion by fair and gentle methods, and without War, to desire he would grant the Election for Bene∣fices absolutely without any reference to the Kings Will, to touch home and roundly upon the Male-Administration of the Finances, and to make great instance for the punishment of those that had risled and squandred the Treasure; as also to insist up∣on the expulsion of Strangers from the Government, and touching the dispensation of [Year of our Lord 1577] the publique Moneys.

After this Session, and when the Estates had taken some pains about their Papers, the League brought it to this resolution, That the King should be desired to forbid the exercise of any other but the Catholique Religion. The thing passed by plu∣rality of the Governments, not by the Votes of the Deputies; neither was it carried by more then two Suffrages; and soon after those of Paris fearing the first Pence would be levied upon the City Rents, would have retracted.

The Huguenots having notice of what passed, set up a counter-League, whereof the Prince declared himself Lieutenant, under the Authority of the King of Navarre, and published a manifesto much more bloody then any yet had appeared, and which plainly shewed his vehement humour, his frank and daring courage, and the zeal he had for his Religion.

Whilst he armed in Poitou, the King of Navarre armed himself also in Guyenne, but either of them so slenderly, that it was rather to make Incursions then Expeditions of any consequence. The enterprises they had formed upon several places failed; John Favas a Native of Bazas, to secure himself after a horrible assassinate, he had committed there, deliver'd up that City to the King of Navarre, and made himself of that party; and also to give him a more sincere proof of his affection, took Reole some few days after: but Marmanda derided that King, who rashly besieged it with a handful of Men.

The Edict of Pacification being revoked, and all their threatnings and intrigues pro∣ving ineffectual as to the Princes; they set two Armies on foot, to make quick dis∣patch of them. The Command of one was given to the Duke of Anjou, extremely incensed against the Huguenots, because some had made him believe, that whilst he was amongst them, they had an intention of delivering him up to the Reistres, nay even to attempt his Person; and that the Prince of Condé made sport with him, and acted him in his posture, when running at the Ring. The Duke of Guise demanded the Conduct of the other: but the Duke of Anjou's enmity, and that jealousie the King had of him, denied him that Honour, and placed it upon the Duke of Mayenne his Brother.

This Duke was first in the Field, made the Prince quit his ground, and drove his Men even to the Gates of Rochel; Then proud for having thus beaten them into their strongest Sanctuary, he went into Guyenne. His Forces being much tired and weather∣beaten [month February.] by the Winter-season, he readily made a Fifteen days Truce with the King of Navarre; which being expired about mid-April, he took the Field a Second time, but yet without any great progress, till the Two and twentieth of May, when he

[month April.] [Year of our Lord 1577] returned to Poitou to re-inforce his Troops, and wait for fresh Orders from the King, who but unwillingly made this War.

[month April.] In the beginning of April the Duke of Anjou besieged la Charité with Twelve thousand Foot, and Three thousand Horse; the Dukes of Guise, Aumale, and Nevers were his Lieutenants, la Châtre his Mareschal de Camp, and to say the truth, his Di∣rector. The place was invested so suddainly, that James de Morogues who was Go∣vernour of it, could not possibly get in any Soldiers, so that having but One hundred and fifty Men to defend three breaches; he capitulated, after he had sustained two Assaults.

[month April and May, &c.] La Charité rendred up, the Duke of Anjou and the Duke of Guise rode post to Blois, to tell Stories of their brave exploits to the Ladies, who had bestow'd Scarfes upon them. The Duke of Nevers in the mean time besieged Issoire in Auvergne, situate upon the torrent de la Couse. A Gentleman whose name was Chavagnae Com∣manded within: Matthew le Merle, Son of a Wooll-comber of Ʋzez, but advanc'd to be a Captain during these Troubles, had surprized it three years before. This Merle was gone to the Sevennes to pick up some Men to relieve it, but he staid so long, perhaps obstructed by some bags of the Kings Money thrown in his way, that the place was forced to surrender at discretion. That done, the Duke of Anjou with the Duke of Guise, returned back to Court, which was then at Blois, leaving the Command of his Army to the Duke of Nevers.

The Affairs of the Huguenots could not be in a worse condition; the whole party was full of Divisions, of Jealousies, and of Cabals; the Lords of the King of Navarres Court, could neither agree amongst themselves, nor with him, because he gave too much credit and Faith to Lavardin, who was known to be tied to the Queen-Mo∣thers Interest; insomuch as La Noüe forsook that King, and Turenne and the rest ser∣ved him, not without much Anxiety and suspition.

There was also a mortal feud between the Prince and the Lord de Mirembeau, about the business of Broüage; a scurvy misunderstanding between the said Prince and the Rochellers, for the nomination of a Maire, and other points concerning the liberties of that City: Eternal Picques between the Bourgeois and the Nobless, and every mo∣ment some quarrel between the Commanders of their Forces; withal, most strange disorder and licentiousness amongst their Soldiers, who were horribly ungovernable, as well because of the want of Pay, and the little authority of their Captains, as by the mixture of their Politiques, the most part Atheists, and addicted to all manner of Vices.

[Year of our Lord 1577] The confusion the Duke of Mayenne observed in that party, gave him the pro∣spect of subduing Rochel; and also to that effect and purpose, to hinder all Trade and Provisions from coming to them by Sea, by taking the Islands and Broüage, as by Land he had already got most of the Towns and Castles that furnish'd or stood them in any stead. The Rochellers were jealous of the growing greatness of Broüage: The Count of Montgomery who was Governour of it, had by his debauches consumed the Soldiers pay, and tormented the Inhabitants grievously: Captain Lorges his Bro∣ther, with his Regiment, vexed and plundred the Islands; so that both the one and the other desired a change, that remedy of the unthinking vulgar, who ever believe [☞] the present evils the most troublesome.

The King had equipped a Navy for this Siege, the Prince and the Rochellers pre∣pared one to hinder it; Clermont Commanded it, as Lansac did the Kings. Both these met in the canal of Broüage, that for the Huguenots was beaten, by not keeping out at large, Five Gallies brought thither by the young Montlue, tearing them in pieces with their Guns during a calm. In the mean while the Besiegers press'd up∣on them at Land, and the King was come to Poitiers to encourage his Men. Their amazement was so great in Rochel, that all the Suppliesthey endeavour'd to send thither, were either taken or put to flight. When the Besieged were almost at the greatest extremity; the rumour was, that the Duke of Anjou after the taking of Iss••ire, was coming to reinforce the Siege with that Army which breathed nothing but Blood and Slaughter: the fear they were in, that they should have no quarter, made them hasten the capitulation, and the Duke of Mayenne fearing that Prince would rob him of the Honour of his enterprize, granted them Conditions favourable enough.

The King of Navarre who had taken the Field to succour them, finding the busi∣ness was decided, desired to raise up the spirits of his party again, by some famous exploit, and if he could possibly, give battle to that victorious Army: but they were already gone to refresh themselves, having no Orders to undertake any more.

Many were of that judgment, that if they but push'd on their advantages against the Huguenots, in the confusion they were then under, they had been laid flat on the ground: For it was not in their power then to set an Army on foot; their Offi∣cers [Year of our Lord 1577] were at daggers drawing, the Council belonging to the Princes full of Traitors, the People grieved at their ill Conduct, and in despair for their being pillaged: Besides Damville over-perswaded by his Wife, and by his Secretaries, whom they had bribed, and withal picqued, for that the Huguenots did not respect him enough, had drawn his Sword against them in Languedoc, and besieged Montpellier. But was indeed upon the point of receiving an affront; For Chastillon had bravely pierced thorow his Army, and thrown Three thousand Men into the place, and would have given him battle the next day, if the news of the Peace had not prevented.

It could not be certainly known what the true Reasons were, that induced the King to make it in a juncture that seemed so favourable, unless it were his apprehen∣sions of the Reisters coming again to ransack and waste his Kingdom, and of the Ro∣chellers giving themselves up to the English; or else the intrigues of the Duke of Anjou, who infinitely desired to go into Flanders, and draw the Army after him, or his own weak and uncertain temper, not able to undergo the burthen, and difficul∣ties of any weighty Affair.

This Fifth Treaty of Pacification was concluded at Bergerac, between the King of Navarre and the Duke of Montpensier. The Edict was drawn up at Poitiers, in the month of September, and verified in Parliament, in the beginning of October. It was different from the last, in that it restrained the exercise of their Religion, to the li∣mits of the preceding ones; removed it Ten miles from Paris; forbid it in the Marqulsate of Salusses, and the County of Venaisin; exchanged Montpellier for Beau∣caire with them, and did not restore them Issoire. The Consistorians, who had much more obstinacy then knowledge, could hardly be brought to allow of this restriction; but the Chiefs, who better understood the state of their Affairs, accepted it as very advantageous, and the Prince caused it to be proclaimed by Torch-light at Rochel.

There must have been, to make it firm and lasting, a Will and Resolution in ei∣ther party, to keep and maintain it, and to this end they should have renewed, and restored a real confidence, and true faith in each other: but as the first being wanting, the other became impossible; they presently started up a thousand doubts and difficulties concerning the execution: and it was the delight and interest of the Queen-Mother, to be brangling and trucking with the one and the other, to keep the Authority in her own hands, and to shew her dexterity in disintangling those snarles and knots, which she her self most commonly had tied.

The King her Son had learnt of her to make excessive expences; and as he had some noble inclinations for great things, he easily addicted himself to shew his State [Year of our Lord 1577] and Grandeur in those pomps and vanities, which carry some outward appearance of Greatness. His Favourites had possess'd him with the opinion, that all his Subjects wealth was his own; and that France being an unexhaustible Fountain of Riches, the greatest prodigality could never incommode him. It is almost incredible what exces∣sive Sums he lavishly squander'd away, and in what magnificent wantonness he wast∣ed them. He plaid, and lost one night Fourscore thousand Crowns; he went often in Masquerade; he was seen to run at the Ring in a Ladies Dress, with all the trinkets and gew-gaws of a proud gossip; he made one Feast amongst many others, where the Women waited and served at Table in the habits of Men, clad in Green, all the Guests wearing the same Livery; and the Queen his Mother requited him with ano∣ther in the same kind, where the fairest Ladies about the Court, acted the like parts with their white Bosoms open, and their Hair dishevel'd.

The poor People paid for all these follies, and mourned many years for a diver∣tisement, that lasted perhaps but some few hours. The Kings Coffers were empty, and they must have recourse to the worst methods for the filling them again, parti∣cularly, the creation of new Offices, which the Italian furnished with Titles, and per∣swaded him, that such a multiplication was an excellent means to get Money, with∣out violence to any man, and to render the Kings power more absolute, by filling every City with Creatures of his own, and such as would be tied fast to his interests thorow fear of losing their employments, and so aid him in suppressing his Subjects, and force them to lie quiet, and submissively under the feet of Power.

[☜] This luxurious humour which travelled into every Countrey for divertisements, brought from the furthest parts of Italy, a band of Comedians, whose Plays con∣sisting of amorous intrigues, and agreeable inventions, to stir up, and soothe the softest passions, proved most pernicious corrupters of Modesty and Virtue, and

Schools of impudence. They obtained Letters Patents for their establishment, as they had been some excellent Society: The Parliament rejected them as vagabonds, or such Cattle whom good Morality, the Holy Canons, the antient Fathers, and even our own Kings had ever esteemed infamous, and forbid them to act, or endeavour any more hereafter the obtaining of such License or Patent; and notwithstanding, no sooner was the Court returned from Poitiers, but the King would have their Theatre open'd again.

[month October.]

This year appeared the greatest Comet that had been ever seen, it took up Thir∣ty degrees in length, embracing the Signs Sagitarius and Scorpio, the Tail turned towards the West; it was observed from the Eighteenth of October, till about the end of November. An Astronomer found it to be of the same height as the Planet Venus.

[Year of our Lord 1577] In the preceding Month of March, John de Morvilliers, Bishop of Orleans, a great Statesman died at Blois, and in the Month of July, the Mareschal de Montluc at his House of Estillac in Agenois. Armand Gontaud had the Mareschals staff, vacant by the death of Montlue, and quitted his Office of Great Master of the Ordnance, which was given to Philibert de la Guiche, one of the Kings Favorites.

There was open enmity between the King, the Duke of Anjou and the Duke of Guise: The great courage of this last, and weakness of the other two, made him al∣most their equal. Their hatred broke into quarrels between their Favorites. Que∣lus, who was one of the Kings Darlings, challenged Entroguet, who was the Duke of Guises, and took for his Seconds Livarrot and Maugiron, who was likewise in favour. [✚] His adversary chose Rybeyrac and Schombert. Till this time, Seconds had only served for witnesses of a combat: but an itch of fighting came upon these, and this one bad example has lasted to this very day. Maugiron was killed upon the spot. Quelus was brought back wounded in Sixteen places, whereof he died in a Months time. The King loved both these so infinitely, that he kissed them when dead, caused their flax-Locks to be cut off, and treasured them up carefully, assisted Quelus to his very death, serving him with his own hands, and erected a stately Mausoleum for them both in St. Pauls Church.

Some time after he likewise caused the Body of St. Maigrin to be interred there, and Statues of all the three to be set upon their Tombs; the rabble broke them down, and dragg'd them to the River on the day of the barricades. This St. Mai∣grin was also one of his Minions, whom the Duke of Mayenne caused to be pistoll'd at his coming out of the Louvre, for having vaunted he was in favour with the Dutchess of Guise.

For this reason the other Minions, who apprehended the like Treatment, if they plaid with such rough Gamesters, never ceased exasperating the King by their sto∣ries and reports concerning these Princes, and seeking by all manner of ways to ruine them. Being thus pusht at, they consider'd how to defend themselves: and when they had examin'd, and found their own strength, and the Kings softness, they did not stop at the defensive, but carried things to a far greater height then their most daring thoughts durst ever make them hope to attain.

Whilst the Queen-Mother was in Guyenne, whither she went to confer with the King of Navarre, under pretence of carrying his Wife to him, whom he little valu∣ed, and by whom he was not esteemed much more; the Duke of Anjou Treated with [Year of our Lord 1577] the States-General of the Ʋnited-Provinces, this was on the Tenth day of August; and was assured moreover, that Charles de Ganre Inchi, Governour of Cambresis, would deliver up to him the Citadel of Cambray, for the Queen of Navarre his Sister, had gained that Lord the year before, in a journey she made to the Spaa.

[Year of our Lord From Anno 1568. to the year 1578.]

We must now relate what had been transacted in those Provinces for some years past. The Duke of 〈…〉〈…〉 them near Five years, during which time he exercised most unexpressible cruelties; insomuch that he bragg'd, that the very Con∣fiscations of the Estates of those he had butcher'd, amounted to Eight Millions of Gold yearly; and the number of People who had suffer'd by the hands of the Hang∣man, was Eighteen thousand. He was recalled in the year 1513. by King Philip, and Lewis dé Requesens, Grand Commander of Castille put in his place. This last gained a Battle at Mouker-Heyde near Nimeghen, wherein Ludovic de Nassau was slain, this was in Anno 1574. He afterwards assembled the Estates-General to raise some Moneys; but far from granting any, they firmly united together to desend their liberty: and they took so much hearty grace upon his death, which hapned some Months afterwards, as to seize upon the Government, which was then left in the hands of the Council of State, till the arrival of a new Governour, Don Juan of Austria.

In the mean time the Spanish Troops having mutined, plundred the wealthy Ci∣ty of Antwerp, where they got so much booty, that some private Soldiers were seen to play for Ten thousand Franc's in one night. The Catholique Provinces fearing they might be plundered in the same manner, united by a Treaty made at Ghent* 1.48 with those of Holland and Zealand. Now before they received, or admitted Don Juan, the Estates would have all the Spaniards sent out of the Countrey, and the Treaty of Ghent to be confirmed; Don Juan feigned to agree to those conditions, and entred the Countrey in Sheeps cloathing, but soon changed it for the Foxes skin, seising upon Namur, Charlemont, and Mariemburgh.

Then the States armed against him, drove him back into Luxemburg, called in Matthias the Emperors Brother, whom they chose for their Governor, and the Prince of Orange for his Lieutenant. But by the jealousy of the Catholique Lords, thwart∣ing the wise Councils of Orange, Don Juan had time to receive the Forces brought him by Alexander Farness Duke of Parma, with which he gained a signal Battle at Gemblours, over the Army of the States, and afterwards the Gueux having turned [Year of our Lord 1577] the Priests and Monks out of Ghent, broke, and pull'd down all the Images in their Churches: So that the happy success of Don Juan, and the attempt of this insolent rabble, gave occasion to some Lords already discontented to form a Third Party, whereof Montigny was Head, and to draw both Artois and Hainault to joyn with them.

The same Lords finding that the States had Treated with Queen Elizabeth, who sent Casimir to them with some German Forces, moved with apprehension of the great danger their Religion was in, resolved to Treat with the Duke of Anjou, to which the States did likewise incline; being induced thereto by the practises of the Prince of Orange, who had great suspition of Casimir.

[Year of our Lord 1578] This business had been negotiating a year before, by the tacite consent of the Queen-Mother: but the King did not approve of his Brothers medling with the Low-Countreys Affairs: he was too jealous of his advancement; and besides, too much netled at his Bussy's braving his Favorites every day. Now these Picques and Controversies rising higher on either part, he caused his Brother to be laid hold on in the Louvre, and set Guards upon him: but they did their Duty so negligently, that he escaped out of their hands, being let down by a cord into the Trench under the Louvre, and went to the Abby St. Germain, where Bussy waited for him, and had made a hole in the Wall of the City. From thence they got to Angers, and after they had sojourned there some weeks, advanced to Mons in Hainault, to conclude the Treaty which was before prepared by one of his Secretaries.

He promised to assist the States with his Forces and Means, to raise Six thousand Foot and Three thousand Horse, to maintain them at his own charges for Three Months, and to endeavour to bring the Queen of England, the King of Navarre, and Casimir into this Alliance. Reciprocally they promised him, that where-ever he should be personally, he should Command in Chief with the General for the States: That if they accepted of any Lord, other then the King of Spain, they would pre∣fer him before all; That forsecurity, and a retreat for his Sick, they would give him Quesnoy, Landrecy, and Bavais; That if they could obtain a good Peace, they would repay his disbursements, and give him a reward worthy of his Grandeur.

[month August] [Year of our Lord 1578] There never was a business so intangled, nor a Countrey more divided and tor∣mented then that same. The Arch Duke Matthias had his party amongst the States, and amongst the Nobless; the Prince of Orange had all the power in the Provinces of Frise, Holland, Zealand, and Ʋtrect; Don Juan of Austria was Governor for the Spaniard, but declared an enemy by the States; Prince Casimir was there in the be∣half of Queen Elizabeth; the Duke of Anjou, as their Ally and Protector. Imbise had seized upon Ghent, and Prince Casimir with his Forces was got into those parts, as it were to cantonnize himself: The Catholique Lords of Artois and Hainault float∣ed between all parties, desiring to preserve, if it were possible, their Liberty, and their Religion. So that there were Five Armies feeding upon, and laying wast that unfortunate Countrey.

That belonging to the States was of Thirty eight thousand Foot, and Eight thou∣sand Horse; That under the Duke of Anjou, much inferiour for number, to what had been promised him by Treaty. He besieged Bins, and batter'd it so furiously, that it surrendred the Fourteenth day, being the Sixth of September. The civility he shewed [month September.] to that Garrison, open'd him the Gates of Maubeuge: but the insolence of his Soldi∣ers in the Field, caused those of Quesnoy and Landrecy to be shut up against him. For vexation of this inexecution, and because Casimir kept still in Ghent, he would not joyn with the States Army; to whom however, he had already sent Three thousand

Men, Commanded by la Noüe, but retired into France, having first sent to the Arch-Duke Matthias, and the Council of the States, to let them know the reasons for his departure, and give them an assurance of his return.

The greatest part of his disbanded Troops went into the Service of the male-con∣tented Lords. Some Months after, Don Juan of Austria hapned to die; the King, his Brothers jealousie, made all his designs miscarry, and perhaps hastned his end by some potion, as he had the end of Escovado his Secretary and intimate Confident in Spain, by cutting the thred of his Life with a keen ponyard.

His loss caused so great a consternation in his Army, that if that of the States had fall'n upon them, they might with ease, either have forced, or dispersed them: but [Year of our Lord 1578] besides, that their disorders were likewise great in that great Body for want of pay, the death of Maximilian, Crook-Back, who Commanded in Chief, hapning within Six weeks after, broke all that little Union there was between the Lords of the Coun∣trey, who fell from the common interest of the publique good, to seek their own pri∣vate advantages.

During this expedition of the Duke of Anjou into the Low-Countries, the King lan∣guished still in unactive idleness, wherein he was entertained by Villequier, and Fran∣cis d'O, his Son-in-law. This last was Surintendant des* 1.49 Finances, a Man wholly given up to Luxury, who put the King daily upon making new Edicts, called Bur∣saux* 1.50 and by carrying him to the Parliament, forced them by his Presence to ve∣rify the same. This was one of the chief causes of the ruine of this Prince, the Peo∣ple observing so frequently, that from his Court, whence nothing but good and wholsome Laws should have proceeded, there came nothing now but Edicts of Op∣pression and Severity, did by little and little lose the Respect and Affection they had born him, which the Heads of the League took advantage of, and confirmed their aversion and contempt of him. Towards which, the insolence of his Favorites did not a little contribute, by setting themselves above Princes, making the Grandees follow them, and absolutely disposing of all Affairs.

[month In August.] Sebastian, King of Portugal having lost a great Battle against the Moors, as may be seen in the History of that Countrey, and never appearing aftewards, whether he were slain there or otherwise: Henry his great Uncle, who was Cardinal, and Arch-Bishop of Evora, took the Crown, which belonged to him, as being the near∣est Prince of the Blood. We must know that Sebastian was the Son of Prince John, Son of King John III. Son of King Emanuel; That this Emanuel, besides King John, had three other Sons, Lewis Duke of Beja, the Henry of whom we speak, and Ed∣ward Prince of Portugal, and two Daughters, Isabella, who was Mother of Philip II. King of Spain; and Beatrix, who was Mother of Philibert Emanuel, Duke of Savoy; That Lewis had a natural Son, named Don Antonio, Prior of Crato; That from Ed∣ward sprang two Daughters, Mary, Wife of Alexander Farnese, First of that Name, Duke of Parma, and Mother of Rainutio; and Catherine, Wife of John, Duke of Braganza.

[Year of our Lord 1578] Now as Henry was very infirm, and almost Septuaginary, all those who pretended to the Crown after his death, began from that time to mak their parties and interest, and proclaim their Titles. Wherefore, omitting the Pope, and the Abbot de Cler∣vaux, who shewed by some old Titles, that the said Kingdom had submitted to their Sense and Homage, there presented themselves Philip King of Spain, Philibert Ema∣nuel Duke of Savoy, Rainutio Farnese, Catherine Wife of John of Braganza, and An∣thony Prior of Crato.

As for Philipebert, he yielded it King Philip, who was issue of the eldest of Ema∣nuels two Daughters, and demanded only they should have a regard to his Right, in case Philip died before him. They said that Rainutio, his Mother being dead, as she then was, could not dispute it with Catherine, he being one degree remoter then she. The question remained therefore between Philip and Catherine; It was most certain that Philips Mother, had she been living, would have been excluded by Ca∣therine, but as she was dead, her Son Philip pretended they ought not now to have any regard to that, but that he and Catherine being at equal distance, (for both of them were Germain to Sebastian) he was to be preferr'd, because he was the Male.

As for the right of Anthony, King Henry made no account of that, because he had a perfect hatred for him, and his Father, as it was said, had by his Will declared him illegitimate: nevertheless, all the People, the Clergy, and the Friers, (except∣ing only the Jesuits, who were perswaded that the grandeur of the House of Austria was the main and truest support of the Catholique Religion) were entirely for him.

Amongst the Contenders Queen Catharine de Medicis was also a Stickler, per∣haps to make the World believe she was of a Family good enough to pretend to the succession of a Kingdom. And thus she founded her right, Alphonso III. King of Portugal about the year 1235. Married one Matilda Countess of Bolognia, then did repudiate her to take a Wife much younger; She said, he had a Son named Robert by that Matilda: but to his prejudice and wrong had left the Inheritance to the Children by this second Wife; That from the said Robert came the Counts of Bologna, from whom she was descended. But this derivation, besides the injury it did to all the Kings of Portugal from the time of Alphonso, and to all the Preten∣ders that were issued from them, as necessarily qualifying them Bastards and Usurpers, was false in the most essential point, for Matilda had no Child by Al∣phonso, and Robert was Son of a Sister to that Queen.

[Year of our Lord 1579] The most apparent Right, according to the Lawyers of Coimbre, who ought to know better then any others, the Laws and Customs of those Countries, was that of Catharine Wife of the Duke of Braganza. And indeed the Nobility and the Estates, to whom the resolution of all Questions of such importance do most pro∣perly belong, inclined that way: but Henry was so weak he durst not declare in her favour, but engaged himself for Philip, and that the more readily as finding the Duke of Braganza grew slack; withall his Confessor persuading him that the glory of God and the advancement of the Catholick Religion required it.

[Year of our Lord 1580] Upon this he happens to die the last day of January in the year 1580. having Reigned seventeen Months. Philip who had prepared himself to make good his Title by force, did immediately order the Duke of Alva to enter Portugal with a good Army; Anthony was already proclaimed King, but could not make head against him; the Forces he had got in haste together being raw unexprerlenc'd Men, were worsted the first time, and quite dispersed the second. So that having nothing left him on Land, and the Sea beating him churlishly back every time he endeavour'd to set sail, he was forced to disguise himself under a Monks Hood, and hide himself for eight Months in several places, the Portuguese not discovering him, though Philip had promised fourscore thousand Crowns, to any that would produce him. At length finding his opportunity he embarqued on a Vessel which transported him into Holland, from whence he came to the Court of France.

All the Islands of Azores, excepting that of St. Michael which submitted to Philip, remained still firm to his Party by means of certain Monks who were mightily in∣creased there. These Islands are usually called Terceres from the third which is the greatest of them all: there are nine in number.

As to the Duke of Braganza, he agreed with King Philip, who gave him the Office of Constable of the Kingdom: but in our days his Grandson John happily raised himself again, and was restored to the Crown, according to a wonderful Prophecy, which may be seen in the first Volume of the Annals of the Cisteaux * 1.51, i. e. White Friers, composed by a Religious Spaniard of that Order, some years before that miraculous Revolution.

The Order of St. Michael had been in great reputation and request under four Kings: but during the Reign of Henry II. the Women had made it Venal: and in those [Year of our Lord 1579. January.] of Francis II. and Charles IX. Queen Catharine had rendred it so contemptible that the Nobility never demanded it but for their Servants, or Valets. This year the King, without abolishing the former, instituted another named the Order of the Holy Ghost* 1.52, to which it serves as a necessary disposition. He declared himself So∣veraign Head, and for ever united the Soveraignty of it to the Crown of France. He solemnized the Feast on the first day of January in the Church of the Augustins at Paris, with his accustomed Pomp and Magnificence. The number of Knights was limited to an hundred, who were to be nobly descended for three Races, not com∣prising the Ecclesiasticks, which are four Cardinals, and four Bishops, and the Of∣ficers. [Year of our Lord 1579] He would needs have the Knights called Commanders, having resolved ac∣cording to the example of the Spaniard, to attribute to every one of them a Com∣mandery over the Benefices; The Pope and Clergy refused to consent thereto, ne∣vertheless the name they still retain, and the King in lieu of it, assigned to each of them a Pension of one thousand Crowns to be paid out of his Treasury.

There is probability he instituted this Order in honour of the Holy Ghost, as a remembrance that upon the day of Pentecost he received two Crowns, first that of Poland, and then that of France: but an Author tells us he had taken this Model from the like Order instituted by Lewis King of Sicilia upon the same motives, Anno

1532. As for the Political Reason, he may have done it with the like design as Lewis XI. did that of St. Michael, i. e. to destroy the Leagues in his State, and even to convert the Chiess of the Huguenot Party by the splendour and allurement of so de∣sirable a Mark of Honour.

The Negociation of the Queen Mother with the King of Navarre at Nerac, took her up more time then she imagined. The Prince would conclude nothing without the advice of the whole Party, whose Deputies he called together at Montanban. She inveigled some of them by the artificial charms of those Ladies she carried along with her: But Queen Margaret who counted all things lawful to revenge her self on her Brother for expelling her his Court, took care to gain the heart of Pibrac, who was her Mothers Counsellor. That great Mans Wisdom foundred upon this Rock, so that acting only as she directed, and contrary to the designs of the Queen her Mother, he explained and worded many Articles in favour of the Religionaries, pro∣cured them many advantages, and even several places for security.

The Conference ending with the Month of February, the Queen would needs make [month February, &c.] the Tour of Languedoc and Dauphine. In those Provinces she shewed much kindness to the Politicks and the Male-contented, having a prospect of making use of them towards the Duke of Alens••n, if her Son Henry should chance to die without Chil∣dren. From thence she travelled into Provence where the disturbances were still kept on foot between the Rasats and the Cacistes; the latter had the Nobless, the former the Populace and the Parliament for them.

The real cause of those Broils was the Government of the Province, the Mareschal de Rais who had obtained the gift of it Anno 1515. was so little beloved that he was forced to give it up to the Count de Suse. This Man being placed there by his means found as little pleasure and quiet as the other: so that the Mareschal got it to be committed to the Cardinal of Armagnac, who being aged and decay'd could not well bridle the Factious. Henry Grand Prior of France, the Kings Bastard Brother, had a great mind to that Government, and therefore stirred up, and blew these Coals of Dissentions. The Queen finding there was no other way to extinguish them, gave him what he desired.

[Year of our Lord 1579] At her return, the Duke of Savoy came out of respect to wait upon her at Grenoble, and engaged her to go as far as Montluc in Bresse, to confer with Bellegarde. This Mareschal discontented with the Court had seized on the Marquisate of Salusses, and perhaps had some private Treaty with that Duke who had highly obliged him upon many occasions. In effect when he died, which fell out the following year, the Duke endeavour'd by divers means to detain the places in that Marquisate to which he had several pretensions, and stirred up such as were Governors there for the King, to cantonize, or at least favour'd them: but as he durst not assist them openly, they were forced to let go their holds after some resistance. At this time the Queen had not leisure enough to unravel those intricate Affairs; for receiving information how the Favourites made themselves absolute Masters of the Kings mind during her te∣dious absence, she left Bellegarde, and returned with great diligence to Court.

[month May.] She found the Duke of Anjou who had been absent ever since his escape was just come thither, and lived in very good correspondence with the King. He had taken this resolution without consulting his Bussy d'Amboise who staid behind in Anjou. This proud and haughty Spirit continued there braving and despising all the World, taking pride in triumphing over the Ladies as well as their Husbands, till at last the Lord de Montsoreau kill'd him in his Castle de la Coutanciere, at which place he had compell'd his Wife to make him an Assignation; this was in the Month of July.

[month June and July.] At the time he thus perished his Master was gone into England with two Gentle∣men only, to make love to Queen Elizabeth. This Princess was so shaped or formed, that though she loved passionately yet could she not admit of such love again as to be a Mother without the greatest hazard of her life: for which reason she never did intend to take a Husband, and yet refused none, thereby to keep her Enemies in awe with the noise of her Alliances, and gain her self friends upon the prospect of such fair hopes. The Duke was so well received, and treated by her with so much freedom and privacy, that all such as did not know her well, believed the Match indubitable. And indeed it was her interest to have it thought so, thereby to encourage that Princes Friends in assisting him to gain the Soveraignty of the Low-Countries; not so much for love to him, as to prevent their falling under the absolute power of the King.

[Year of our Lord 1579] Upon the intelligence they received that the Duke of Savoy had agreed to share the Conquests of the Swiss Countries with the King of Spain, and that he was to begin by Geneva, which those Cantons had received into their Alliance, forasmuch as it is by that Road they can both send Supplies into France and receive it thence: the King was advised upon the earnest sollicitation of the Catholick Cantons themselves, to take that City under his protection, left any other should seize upon it. To this purpose a particular Treaty was set on foot between him and the Swiss, which was Negociated at Soleurre by Nicholas de Harlay-Sancy.

There were none now left amongst the Huguenots but the common People and Con∣sistorians who had any great zeal for their Religion: as for the Grandees, theirs was but Faction, the Prince of Conde was almost the only Man that was fully persuaded to be of their way. Wherefore he had but little interest with the Politiques, nor even with the King of Navarre, and made his Party by it self, as well because he was dis∣gusted that the said King had to his prejudice given his Lieutenancy to the Vicount de Turenne, as because he being in himself a serious and honest Gentleman, avoided all libertinage, and had a horror for their frauds and impious practises.

In the King of Navarres Court, nothing was to be seen but Intrigues, Amours, and Enterprises; to say all in a word, Queen Margaret was the Soul of it. The King [month November and December.] her Brother who had taken a spleen against her, wrote to her Husband that there were ill Reports spread of her and the Vicount de Turenne; but that Prince consider∣ing the necessity of his Affairs above all things else, shewed the Letter to them both, and spared neither caresses nor intreaties to keep the Vicount with him who pre∣tended he must by all means retire.

Now this Woman enraged to the greatest extremity, had no other thought but of revenge: to this effect making use of the same means she had so often seen practised by her Mother, she instructed the Ladies about her to take all the brave ones about her Husband in their amorous toils, and they did spread the Nets so cunningly that himself was ensnared by the beauties of Fosseuse, who did but too well practise the Lessons taught by her Mistress. These were the real Fire-brands of the sixth Troubles; and for that reason it was called The Louers Wars.

[Year of our Lord 1580] The Kings Envoys coming to re-demand the places of security, these Gossips scoff at them, peek their Gallants with Honour, call it folly and cowardize to surrender what they had acquired at the price of their Blood, and so heat them that they re∣solve not only to keep them still, but also to take others. To this end the King of Navarre having broken some pieces of Gold, sends two halves, the one to Chastillon, the other to Lesdiguieres, who Commanded for that Party in Languedoc and Daufine, with an Order to begin the War, whenever he sent them the other two halves; and at the same time sends Men of Credit into divers Provinces, for the execution of above threescore several Enterprises.

It seems this Resolution had not been communicated to the Prince of Conde: never∣theless it so fell out that he acted at the same time as if it had been by agreement with the rest of the Party. He passionately desired to enter into possession of the Government of Picardy: it had been promised him by two Treaties, and he was daily put in hopes of it; In fine, his patience was tired, he would do himself right, and formed private Intelligence and designs upon seven or eight of the best places in that Province. That which he attempted upon la Fere succeeded by the assistance of [month April, &c.] Liramont de Mouy, and some other Gentlemen, all the others miscarried.

As little success had the Partisans of the King of Navarre, unless upon Montaigu in Poitou, and upon Cabors. This City belonging to his Wives Estate (for she was ap∣penaged with the Counties of Quercy and Agenois) refusing to own him, he was resolved to do himself right: though he knew Vesins was within the place with two thousand Soldiers, he was not afraid to assault it, and to make use of his Petard, a new sort of Artillery which then began to be employ'd. When by this invention he had made a Gate fly open, he found Vesins ready to oppose him, who received him very bravely. This Lord was kill'd upon the first charge: his death however did not so daunt his Men but they defended themselves yet four days more from Street to Street. At last all were forced, and the City horribly sacked, and overflowed with the Blood of its Inhabitants, in revenge of that of the Huguenots, which they shed in the Massacres of St. Bartholomew.

The other Efforts of that Party manifestly discover'd their weakness, which proved to be greater then could have been imagin'd. For the disarmed Provinces, as Normandy, the Isle of France, Champagne and others, refused to contribute to∣wards this War; the Rochellers not thinking it very just, remained quiet, by the

advice even of the Wise la None; Chastillon could not stir up above three Cities in [Year of our Lord 1580] Languedoc, which were Lunel, Aigues-Mortes, and Sous-Mieres; and if Nismes did enter the Lists, it was only because the Catholicks did Harass them. It is true that Captain Merle took Mandes: but it was rather upon his own private account then the Parties, for he had all the Plunder, and the Party got nothing by it but hatred for his horrible Robberies.

On all hands the Huguenots had the disadvantage: the Mareschal de Biron put the King of Navarres whole Forces to a full stop, then drove them into their Holds. He defeated three thousand of his Men in a Combat near Monterabel (in which the two Sons of the Marquiss du Trans of near Relation to that King, and yet both Catholicks, were slain) and beat back the rest to the very Gates of Nerac. It is said he fired some Volees of Cannon against the Walls, from the top whereof Queen Margaret beheld the Skirmish; whereat that Princess was so much offended, she would never pardon him. The Count de Lude in the mean while took Montaigu in Poitou, the defence whereof was truly much greater then the goodness of the place; The Duke of Mayne cleared almost all Daufine, which brought Lesdiguieres so low, that another such Campagne would have beat him out of the Country; and the Mareschal de Ma∣tignon reduced the Town of la Fere in Picardy, of which the Prince had designed to make a second Rochel.

After he had been six weeks before the place he granted them very good Composi∣tion [month September.] the Twelfth day of September. The Kings two Favourites Arques and the young la Valete, who was afterwards named Joyeuse, Espernon and a many Lords were come to the Siege in great Equipage, and Provisions were brought from all Quarters in abundance: from whence it was called The Velvet Siege. The Duke of Aumale Go∣vernor of Picardy, and the Duke of Guise, arrived there towards the latter end, and would have wrested the Honour from Matignon, for which he stored up so great Resentment, that ever after upon all occasions he studied to thwart them and break their Measures.

Nothing gave the King more apprehension then the going abroad of the Prince of Conde: who had left la Fere about the end of March to sollicite the aid of Protestant Princes. In England he saw Queen Elizabeth, at Antwerp the Prince of Orange, in Germany Casimir, and some other Princes: yet could obtain no assistance but from [Year of our Lord 1580] Casimir, upon condition of certain places he promised to give him for security. Upon this assurance he returns by Swisserland and Geneva, amidst a World of dangers, being taken and stript in the Territories of Savoy by some Bandits, who knew not who he was. Lesdiguieres generously furnish'd him with Money and an Equipage: nor was his Presence useless to him there towards the bringing that Nobility to submit to his Command, and thereby confirming his Authority.

The only hopes of the Huguenots was therefore in an Army of Reisters; the King dreaded it above all things, and France trembled at the very name of those cruel Plunderers who had so often prey'd upon them. This makes the Queen Mother and the Duke of Alencon mediate a Peace: the King of Navarre desired it as his only refuge, and the Duke procured it, that he might be able to carry the whole force both of the one and the other Party into the Low-Countries.

For the States having resolved to declare that the King of Spain had forfeited the Soverainty of those Provinces, as they did the following year in their Assembly at the Hague, had sent their Deputies to this Duke, being then at Plessis lez Tours: with whom they made a Treaty; In which

they owned him for their Prince and Lord, him and his lawful Sons, with the same rights as their preceding Lords; upon condition that if he had several Sons, they should have liberty of chusing which of them they best liked; That he should preserve the ancient Alliances, Rights, and Priviledges of the Provinces, should give no Offices or Employ∣ments but to the Natives of those Countries, and do in such sort that the Provinces might ever be linked to France, but without being either incorporated, or united to the Crown.

This Treaty Signed, he posted into Guyenne to Negociate the Peace: the place [month November.] for Conference was the Castle de Fleix belonging to the Marquiss de Trans. In this place, by the care and industry of the said Prince, with the Duke of Montpensier, and likewise the Mareschal de Cosse, whom the King sent after him, they came to an agree∣ment towards the end of November in the explanation of certain Articles of the former Treaty of Peace, which they confirmed by this same. They likewise granted

some places to the King of Navarre, and to satisfie the passion of his Wife a revo∣cation of Biron, from whom they took away the Lieutenancy of Guyenne to bestow it upon the Mareschal de Matignon which she demanded for him, whose sober and staid gravity seemed very proper to allay the quick and fiery temper of the Gascons.

[month August.]

The Thirtieth day of August 1580. Philibert Emanuel Duke of Savoy ended his Mortal Pilgrimage, and left his Estates, which he had happily recover'd by his Valour, and his most prudent Conduct, to his only Son Charles Emanuel, who [Year of our Lord 1581] was then in the One and twentieth year of his Age.

France was at the same time afflicted with two cruel Diseases, the Coqueluche and the Plague; the first, as we formerly noted having tormented this Nation twice already, was very painful, and sometimes mortal, but lasted not above six months; the other killing most that were therewith infected, continued its violence five or six years, ransacking sometimes one Province, sometimes another, so that be∣fore it ceased above the fourth part of the People died of it.

After the Duke of Anjou's quitting of Flanders, their Discords and Confusions daily increased, whereupon the Archduke Matthias, whom the States had called in to Govern, retired again. The Duke of Parma, who had the Command of the Spanish Army after the death of Don Juan of Austria, defeated a Party of Casimirs Keisters, and so beset the rest, that they were glad to accept of quarter and return into Germany: at which Casimir, who was then gone into England to see Queen Eli∣zabeth, was so much ashamed, that he goes directly home not daring to pals by way of the Low-Countries. After their departure the Duke of Parma besieged Maestric; He took it by Storm at four Months end, and in the mean time Negociated it so well with the Male-contented Lords, that they returned to the obedience of King Philip, and brought in the Provinces of Ar••ois and Hainault, with the Cities of L'Isle, Douay, and Archies.

On the opposite, the Provinces of Guelders, Zutphen, Holland, Zealand, Frise, and Ʋtrect, then the Cities of Bruges, Ypres, and others united more closely together for their mutual defence. From thence came the name of the Ʋnited Provinces. The [☞] Malecontents in the mean time did mightily annoy the other Catholick Provinces. It is true the Fit of Sickness which the Duke of Parma fell into after the taking of Marst••ie, gave the States a little breathing time, and la Noue though he had but three thousand Men, made Head most bravely against all their Enemies.

As the Spaniards took Groeningben from the States, on his side he took Ninoue from them, and in the said place the Count of Egmont with his Wife: but shortly after this generous Commander was defeated in a Rencounter near the Castle of Ingel-Monster, and fell into the hands of the Spaniards, who set him not at liberty till the year 1585. and that upon the payment of an hundred thousand Crowns Ransom.

[Year of our Lord 1581] The Edict granted to the Huguenots met not with so much difficulty, neither for the verification in Parliament, nor for the execution, as the former ones had done: [month January.] and it was pretty punctually and quietly observed near five years. As a violent [ ✚.] agitation, is so far from curing of Distempers, it rather increases them, and to allay hot Spirits we must let them a while repose: so soon as they had left off [Year of our Lord 1580] baiting and pursuing the Huguenots, their Zeal grew much more temperate, and in∣different. The King taking the right course, gave them assurance that they needed to fear no hurt from him, but might expect much good; That he would do them equal justice, but that he would bestow no Offices or Employments upon them, nor any Governments, but keep all Dignities out of their reach. Withall he endea∣vour'd to reclaim them by wise and Christian like Instructions and Arguments, which method converted more of them in four years time, then the Sword or Hangman had compell'd in forty; and if they had continued the same way of proceeding, this Opinion of Conscience would no doubt have given place to the sence of Honour.

During this calm, the King instead of fortifying himself, grew still weaker, and was enervated by idleness and vain pleasures. Since the death of the Princess of Conde, he had but little inclination to Women, and his Adventure at Venice gave him another bias. His three chief Favourites were Arques, the young la Valette, and Saint Luc: the last forfeited his favour by endeavouring to cure him of his depra∣vation by an illusion which was very ingenious: the other two remained in full power, with no other Rivals but themselves, and individually enjoy'd the affection of the King, who called them his Children. He was not satisfied with having erected the

Vicounty of Joyeuse to a Pairie for d'Arques, and the Territories of Espernon which he bought of the King of Navarre for la Valeste, he would needs honour them with his Alliance, by Marrying them to his Wives two Sisters, promising to each four hundred thousand Crowns in Dowry. In effect Joy••use did Marry one, and his Wed∣ding was kept with such profusion, that it cost the King near four Millions.

To repair these idle Expences, they were forced to have recourse to new Edicts; He made no fewer then nine or ten all at once; there were even two and twenty in less then two Months time, themselves finding the reasons for the same, and confi∣dently assigning their Merchants and their Tailors upon thos•• Funds. Wherefore the Parliament thinking it behooved them to prevent the throwing thus away the poor Subjects Money, strenuously opposed the Verification of them, and Christopher de Thou first President, had once the courage to answer them, That by the Laws of the Land▪ which is the publick safety, such things could not, nor ought not to be done.

The States of the Ʋnited Provinces, found themselves in great perplexities, their chief Cities were all in combustion through the diversity of Religion, their Armies without Commanders, and their Soldiers without pay. During this confusion, the [Year of our Lord 1581] Duke of Parma took the City of Breda which belonged to the Prince of Orange, after [month July and August.] which he promised himself to be able to block all the Avenues up against the French. Which was ••easible enough, for having Artois, Hainault, and the City of Dunkirk, there was nothing left to do it but the gaining of Cambray: and to that end he had besieged it.

The first exploit of the Duke of Anjou was therefore to endeavour the delivery of that place. Upon the rumour of this Enterprize, which his friends had spread abroad for his advantage, great numbers of Volunteers, fifteen or twenty Lords of note, divers Captains with their Adventurers, nay even established compleat Com∣panies came to him; he had four thousand French Horse, and ten thousand Foot. The Duke of Parma drew all his Forces together, and stood six hours in Batalia, to make him believe he was resolved to keep his ground; yet when he perceived [month August.] they marched directly to him, he retired to Vat••nciennes. Thus the Town was freed, the Duke received in Cambray as chief Soveraign of the Castle, and Protector of the Liberties of the Country, giving his Oath to them upon the Altar of No••tre-Dame, and afterwards in the Town-Hall. He then drove the Enemies out of Sl••ce and Arleux, and batter'd the Walls of Catea••-Cambresis with so much fury, that he forced it to surrender at discretion.

And this was all the effect of that blustering Expedition: after these Exploits the heat of his Volunteers began to cool; and his Army consisting of independent Parcels, there soon grew as many quarrels as there were several Captains. So that finding it too perilous to engage himself further, or joyn with the States Army who [month September.] were on their way to meet him, and too dishonourable to return again so soon, he was advised to make a second step into England to wait upon the Queen his Mistress, between whom the Articles of Marriage were almost agreed upon.

The Courtship went so far that the Queen bestowed a Ring upon him as a pledge of her faith: but the Caballers against this Alliance, and her Women who knew the [month October and November.] danger she must fall into if ever she had a Child, made so much noise, and fill'd her Ears with so great clamour, that she demanded it of him again.

It hapned at the same time that some English Priests and Religious People bred in the Seminaries of Do••ay and Reims, founded the one by the King of Spain, and the other by the Guises, contrived divers Conspiracies against that Queen, in execution of the Popes Bull who Anno 1570. had Excommunicated and deprived her of her [Year of our Lord 1581] Crown: for which reason she was constrained by the out-cries of her Ministers to put some of them to death, amongst others Father Edmond Campian a Jesuit. The Duke of Anjou express'd a great deal of discontent that before his Eyes they should draw those Catholick Priests to Execution, and the Queen her self was in great pain and trouble: so that amidst all this hurry no mention was made of the Marriage: and yet either of them being willing it might be believed abroad in the World, spent almost two Months in Mirth and noble Entertainments, which at a distance was gues••ed to be their Wedding Festivals.

When he left the Low Countries, above the one half of his Army being dispersed, the remainder marched into the County of Flanders by way of Calais, and joyned with that of the States. The Duke of Parma not being able to hinder this conjunction, besieged Tournay. The Princess of Espinoy in the absence of her Husband, giving out Orders Captain like, and fighting like a brave Soldier, defended it for two Months space, and had perhaps saved the place, if the Citizens, enchanted with the Spanish Catholicon, had not obliged her to capitulate.

The Prince of Orange and the States pressing the Duke by several Messages to return, he took leave of Queen Elizabeth, who conducted him as far as Canterbury, and would have the Earl o•• Leicester, and her Admiral Howard, and an hundred Gentlemen, accompany him to Flanders. He took Shipping at Dover the Tenth of February, and in two days he arrived at Flessing••e, where the Prince of Orange and d'Espinoy waited for him, the next day he went to Middelburgh, and was transported by Boats to Antwerp on the River Scheld.

The States who were there assembled, made him a most stately Entrance, and first inaugurated him Duke of Brabant, the Prince of Orange putting on the Ducal Hat and Mantle, which was of Crimson Velvet lined with Ermins: then declared him Marquiss of the holy Empire, the Consul of Antwerp putting a Gold Key into h••s Hand, which he immediately returned. From that time he began to Govern, but with little satisfaction, as having heard amongst the Articles of his joyful entrance, which were read to him at his Coronation; That he was to Rule them, not according to [Year of our Lord 1582] his own will and pleasure, but according to Justice and their Priviledges. [☜]

In the mean while having also to do with Enemies who thought all ways they could put in practise lawful, he ran two great hazards. The Eighteenth of March [month March.] the Prince of Orange was wounded with a Pistol Shot in his own House, as he rose from Table by Jareg••y, a Servant belonging to a broken Banker, who was said to [Year of our Lord 1582] have poysoned Don Juan of Austria. He recover'd of his Wounds: but the revenge was like to have fallen upon the Duke of Anjou. The Flemmings fancied he had a design of establishing his new Dominion by a general Massacre, and grounded their suspicion upon this, that those Frenchmen who Dined that day with the Prince of Orange presently kill'd the Assassine, as if by taking away his life they would prevent all possibility of discovery who the Authors were that had encourag'd him to commit the Crime: but the young Prince of Orange causing him to be searched, found Spanish Letters in his Pockets which plainly told them who he was.

While the Prince was under Cure, the Duke made his Entrance at Bruges and at Ghent; in this last City he received the Ornaments of Earl of Flanders. Some days after he discover'd the horrible Conspiracy of Nicholas Salsede Son of another Salsede [month April, &c.] Originally a Spaniard, and a fugitive from his Country for some Crime, who had taken up his habitation in France. It was he that had made War against the Cardinal de Lorrain in the Country of Messin, for which he was Murther'd on the bloody St. Bartholomews. The Son was also banish'd from France for having burnt a Gentleman of Normandy in his own House who had accused him about false Money. This Fellow therefore pretends to devote himself to the service of the Duke of Anjou with a whole Regiment raised at his own expence: but the Prince of Orange who had ever a watchful Eye, discover'd that he held some Intelligence with the Duke of Parma. Thereupon they seize him, as likewise one certain Francis Basa an Italian, also a B••n∣quier named Baldwin and some others. It was said they had plotted to seize upon divers places to deliver them up to the Prince of Parma, and had formed some at∣tempt upon the Persons of the Duke of Anjou, and the Prince of Orange.

The bottom of this mistery could never be certainly known, because Basa after his having for fear of the Rack or otherwise, discover'd very strange things, Mur∣ther'd himself in Prison, and the wretched Salsede varied two or three times upon his Interrogatories, and involved so many Persons in his Crime, who were known to be Innocent, that no certain Judgment could be drawn from his Confessions. It was believed he did so, on purpose to be carried to Paris, in hopes the Duke of Parma [Year of our Lord 1582] would rescue him on the way: but Bellievre conducted him thither with so much precaution that he deluded the Dukes Spies and frustrated the expectation of the Criminal.

The King caused him to be examined divers times by his Parliament Men, and placed himself in a Chamber near at hand to over-hear what he would say: he sung the same note as he had done in Flanders, which startled the King so much that he knew not whom to confide in any longer, seeing no body about him but such as were accused. The Parliament condemned him to be drawn by four wild Horses. The Sentence being pronounced, as they were leading him to the Chappel, there was, as some affirm, a certain Frier on the Steps who whispering somewhat in his Ear, made him retract all what he had confess'd, thereby leaving the Judges and the King in greater perplexity then ever.

[month June, July, &c.] The States had but little Money, and a great many Garrisons to maintain, so that the Duke of Anjou's Army could not be above four or five thousand Men this Campagne, which he divided into three small Bodies to cover the out-skirts of the

greater Cities. That of the Duke of Parma though consisting of more then Thirty thousand, could take but four or five small Castles, which were of no great impor∣tance; For besides that he was obliged to leave the one half of his Forces to Garrison his places, when he would have invested Bruxels he was assaulted by famine, Artois and Hainault being so eaten up that they could furnish him with no Provisions; and then when he attempted to get into the Country of Waes, the Duke of Anjou shut up the passage, after which divers contagious Maladies, the inundations of Waters by breaking of the Dykes, and such like inconveniencies, constrained him to go into Winter Quarters.

The passion the Queen Mother had for conquering new Kingdoms, had prompted her to cast her Eyes upon Portugal; But not succeeding in her pretended claim, she fancied she might accumulate the Right and Title of Anthony with hers. And for this reason she had drawn him into France, where the King received him with much honour, and gave a smart reply to the Spanish Ambassador, who made great instance he might be turned out thence, that France had ever been the refuge of the unfortu∣nate, and that he should never be persuaded to violate the sanctity of an Asylum, so inviolably maintain'd by all his Predecessors. He therefore permitted his Mother to raise Forces in his Kingdom to pursue her Rights, and to Equip as many Vessels as she pleased; which she laboured in with great application all the whole year 1581.

[Year of our Lord 1582] The same Religious Monks who had persuaded the Islands of the Azores, to declare for Anthony, were grown so insolent of their power that they disturbed all by their Tumults, and did nothing but put the People into such rage and heats, as produced no good. The Governor whom Antony had sent thither (it was Emanuel de Sylva his Favourite, whom he created Count de Torres-Vedras) was more frantick, and much more wicked yet then they: So that Landerean, whom the Queen had sent with Eight hundred Men till the rest of the Army was in readiness, endeavouring to give him moderate Council, he set all his Engines at work to ruine him, even to the suborning of Rascals to assassinate or poison him.

[month June, &c.] The French Navy parted from Belle-Isle in the Month of June, Strossy was Ad∣miral, Brissac Vice-Admiral, Saincte Soulene a Poitevin commanded a Squadron. Don Antonio went in this Fleet together with the Count de Vimiosa, the only Portuguese Lord that stuck to him in his misfortune. They landed in the Island St. Michael, the only one of all the nine which held for the Spaniard, forced eight hundred Men that would have hindred their coming ashoar, defeated Noguera a Spanish Captain who had drawn three thousand Soldiers together, and marched directly into the City Elgade: but Anthony instead of Storming the Castle which would have made him absolute Master of those Islands, and would have given him the opportunity and advantage of intercepting their India Fleet, wherewith he might have maintained the War two or three years, amused himself in playing the King amidst the accla∣mations of the light-headed Populace; and in the mean while the Spanish Navy ar∣rived, Commanded by the Marquiss de Santa Crux, who cast Anchor under shelter of the Castle d'Elgrade, to wait an opportunity of fighting them.

The French Forces out-numbred them both for Ships and Men: but there was no less disorder and mis-understanding amongst them, then jealousies and quarrels, there being many Volunteers on board, most of the Captains having set out their [month July.] Ships at their own charges, and the Generals, though Valiant, were so careless and negligent, that their Commands carried no Authority, nor did their examples give any vigour or encouragement to their Men. When they came to engage, which was on the Six and twentieth of July, there were scarce twelve of their Men of War that did their duty, the rest came not within Shot, and Saincte Soulene stood quite away with eighteen Sail without the least fighting (for which he was tried in France, and for his base cowardize degraded of his Nobility.) The Battle notwithstanding was very bloody lasting two whole hours, the Ships being grappled with each other, [Year of our Lord 1582] as if they had agreed to end the quarrel that very day by dint of Sword and Halbert. In conclusion the Admiral of France was overcome and taken, Strossy was in the same Ship wounded in his Knee; the rest freed themselves and retired, many of them towards France, and some to the Terceres, where Don Antonia was gone to secure himself before the Fight.

The Marquiss de Santa Crux stained the honour of this brave Victory by an un∣becomming and barbarous cruelty: when they presented Strossy to him on the Deck of his Ship, he caused him in cold Blood to be killed by his Halberdiers and cast over-board: and as for the Prisoners▪which were to the number of three hundred, amongst whom were fourscore Gentlemen, after he had led them in triumph into

Villa-Franca, which is the capital City of the Island St. Michael, he doom'd them all to death as Enemies of the common Peace, Favourers of Rebels and Pyrats. The Gentlemen had their Throats cut, the rest were hang'd within two soot of the ground, and the French Priest that Confess'd them was dispatched after the others.

[month August, September, and October.] With the remainders of Landereans Forces and seventeen French Ships; Anthony continued at the Terceras till towards the end of Autumn, when fearing to be block'd up in Winter by the Stormy Weather, or in Summer by the return of the Spanish Fleet, he sailed away for France. This time being both poor and unfortunate, he met with a more cold Reception then before, when he was able to scatter his rich Jewels amongst the Grandees at Court, and give large promises to all the World. However he did not lay aside all hopes of recovering his Kingdom: in Anno 1588. with the assistance of Queen Elizabeth, he made another attempt, which succeeding but ill, he retired again into France, and spent the rest of his life there, under the protection of King Henry IV.

[Year of our Lord 1583. March, &c.] The following year accounted 1583. the Queen sent the Commander de Chattes with eight hundred Men only to the Islands Asorez. He had at the same time to deal with the malignity of Torres-Vedras, and the Forces of the Spaniards. The extra∣vagant Torres-Vedras ruined all his generous designs, and perished himself, being taken in the Mountains, and executed by the common Hangman: but the Spaniards gave quarter to Chates and his Men. The barbarous and proud Islanders were handled as they deserved: all their Estates confiscated, and their Persons reduced to slavery. The Ecclesiasticks and Monks who had been the most active, were the most rudely pu∣nished; This appears by the Brief of Absolution obtained by Philip of the Pope for having put two thousand of them to death, as well in those Islands, as in Portugal.

[Year of our Lord 1582] Of a long time it had been observed that there was some error in the Julian Ca∣lender, (that is to say reformed by Julius Caesar) for the Bissextile adding forty five minutes of an hour beyond the course the Sun makes in four years time, these put together made a whole day in 133 years; which at the long run would have perverted the Seasons and the Celebration of Easter, for the Equinoctial in Spring, which they had computed to be on the One and twentieth of March, was already fallen to the Eleventh of the same Month, so that at length Easter would have hapned to be in Winter, and Christmas in the Summer time. Several Popes had design'd to find some remedy, Gregory XIII. having set the most famous Astrono∣mers at work for this purpose, retrenched ten days of this year 1582. and Or∣dained from thenceforward that in every 400 years there should be three days of Bissextile cut off, to wit, one day of each of the first hundred, to begin from the year 1700. The Protestant Princes rejected this method, as being Ordained by a Power they would not own: but the Kings Council approved it, and the Parlia∣ment Decreed it should take place this very year, and that the Tenth of November should be accounted the Twentieth.

This year died three very considerable Persons, Lewis Duke of Montpensier sur∣named the Good, Arthur de Cosse Mareschal of France, and Christopher de Thou first President. This last had Achilles de Harlay for Successor in his Office.

Francis Prince Dauphin who was called Duke of Montpensier after the death of Lewis his Father, and the Mareschal de Bison, had brought to the Duke of Anjou in the Low-Countries a re-inforcement of seven thousand Foot, and twelve hundred Horse, and himself had raised some Companies of Reisters. This was his last Stake and Hand: all his Credit and Friends were now drained, he had in this War consumed the whole Revenue of his Appenage, which was above Fifty thousand Crowns, and engaged himself for three hundred thousand more. The four Millions which the States raised for their Expences in War, went all out in fruitless Pensions, so that they there was not forty thousand Francs left clear to him. Besides this, he was placed amidst two Religions which shock'd each other most furiously, and both shock'd him, amidst the hare-brain'd and suspicious Flemmings, his own discontented Cap∣tains, the murmurring common People devoured by the Soldiers, the out-crying-Soldiers▪starving for want of Bread, having worse Enemies amongst the surly Flem∣mings then the very Spaniards, the contempt and disobedience of both the one and the other Nation, and the secret Practises of the Prince of Orange.

[Year of our Lord 1582] He might call long and lowd enough upon the King to send him more Supplies, the jealousies which the Spanish Council and his own darlings had instill'd upon the least good success, made him deaf to all he ask'd, and hardned him to an utter denial. The

King of Navarre profer'd the King to carry the War into the very heart of Spain, to employ of his own for that purpose five hundred thousand Crowns, for which he would engage his Patrimonial Counties of Rovergne and L'Isle. Moreover to prevent all jealousie, he would make up his Army only of Swiss and such Reisters as were allied to France, and of French both of the one and the other Religion; Of∣fer'd withall to leave the Command of it to some French Mareschal of the Kings own chusing, and to send him Madam his only Sister, and the Prince of Conde's Daughter for Hostage. These Propositions did but give him more Umbrage, both of the one and the other, because it hinted some joynt interest and common concern between them: as on the other hand the threats which sometimes broke loose from the Duke of Anjou's Tongue in the height of his anguish, enraged the Favourites the more, and gave them some thoughts of contriving his ruine there, to prevent his revenge, in case he return'd.

So that when he sent to demand succours of the King, they obliged him to answer, That he should put himself in a condition to receive them, that he should make him∣self strongest for fear of being turn'd out by those Merchants, as the Arch-Duke Matthias had been; and what they counsell'd him on purpose to destroy him, the Queen Mother advis'd him to do to preserve him, pressing him to seize upon the best Places, and to settle his Soveraignty upon some solid foundation.

Those that Govern'd him more particularly were People without Honour and without Faith, amongst others Quinsay his Secretary, Fervaques and Ourilly his Son in Law, a Youth, Son of one S••rgent de la Ferte near Blois, whose Lute, Voice, Dancing, and other qualities more worthy of the esteem and affection of some Lady then a great Prince, had brought him in very great favour with his Master. These People ever keeping him at defiance with the Duke of Montpenseir, and other Per∣sons of Worth and Honour who would have been able to dissuade him from all un∣handsom or unjust actions, spurr'd him on perpetually with motives sometimes of revenge, sometimes of interest, to seize upon certain Places, of which they pro∣mised [Year of our Lord 1582. December and January.] to themselves the Governments. Thus a young Prince of little conscience, and who saw himself reduced to great distress, resolved to follow their pernicious Councils, and gave his Captains order to seize upon seven or eight of the best Towns all on one day, which was appointed the Eighteenth of January.

[Year of our Lord 1583. January.] The Enterprize succeeding upon Dunkirk, Dixmude, Denremond, Vilvoord, Alost, and Meenen: but failed upon Ostend and Bruges. The Undertakers were taken at Bruges and confessed the whole Conspiracy: even that the Duke was to seize upon Antwerp, and the Person of the Prince of Orange, to force him to give back those Writings, by which he had obliged himself to leave him the Counties of Holland and Zealand. Those of Antwerp had also scented the Plot, and put themselves in Arms: nevertheless the Dukes Orders being to seize upon the Port of Kornebergh the nearest Gate to his Palace, that same day being the Eighteenth, and news of what had been done in those other parts coming to him late at night, he durst not defer it any longer.

Wherefore notwithstanding the intreaties of the Prince of Orange, he went out of the City with his Guards and two hundred Horse he had then about him, pretending to go to see his Army which was encamped near at hand. As he was passing along he makes a halt upon the Bridge, that so his Guards upon the Signal given might seize the Kornebergh Gate. Those Gentlemen that marched before him, turned back on a suddain, beat off the Burghers, and set Fire to the next House as their Beacon to the Army. In less then three quarters of an hour there were seventeen Companies of French, and six hundred Lancers within the City, crying out Kill, Vive the Mass, and, the Town is our own. But the Burghers who were prepared for it, come out of their Houses, chain up the Streets, make strong Barricades, set Courts of Guards in the Market places and Carrefours, and the Women fly to the Windows with Stones and such like Artillery. Fervaques, who with a hundred Horse thought to creep along the Rampart into the place before the Citadel unseen, meets at St. Georges Gate with five hundred Men well barricado'd who put him to a full stand; Two Companies of Foot which he set on to force them thence, were beaten off: in the mean time his retreat is cut off behind, so that he can neither go forward nor back∣ward. The Prince of Orange coming thither, goes directly to him, masters him and leads him away Prisoner with his hands bound behind him.

His defeat greatly encouraged the Burghers. All without distinction either of Religion, Sex, or Condition, animate each other against the Common Enemy. The French are worsted every where, they betake themselves to flight: the precipitate

haste of those that fled out of the Town, with that of the Swiss who strove to come in to assist, made an embarras at the Gate; they crowd more and more, and stisle one another. Several after they had run from place to place about the Rampers▪ finding no way to get out, and being closely pursued, were glad to leap down from the Wall. The Duke of Anjou beheld them with a great deal of pleasure, thinking [Year of our Lord 1583. January.] they had been Burghers, when he found they were his own, and at the same time heard the snoaring of two or three Vollies of Cannon scowring through his Troops: then he thought it high time to recall his Swiss and retire, leaving fifteen hundred of his Men, whereof three hundred were Gentlemen, stark dead upon the place, and two thousand shut within the City.

The Prince of Orange and the mercy of the Burghers saved the lives of these last: for so soon as there was no more resistance, they endeavour'd to secure them, assist the wounded, and withdraw those that lay in heaps at the Gate, some of them yet gasping for life; and even within three days after sent those Prisoners to the Duke with a great deal of civility. Fervaques only ran great hazard: the People who be∣lieved him to be the Author of that infamous Treachery, would have torn him in pieces, if the Prince of Orange under pretence of strictly guarding him, had not lock'd him in a Chamber within the Castle strongly barr'd with Iron, and placed two Files of Soldiers at his Door.

The attempt failing, the Duke of Anjou touched at least with shame and confu∣sion if not with remorse and repentance, retired to the Castle of Berken with the rest of his Forces who yet made up ten thousand Men, and from thence wrote Letters to the Deputies of the States, wherein having reminded them of his Services, and much exagerated the contempt and unhandsome treatment he had received from them; told them the indignities done to him that very day, had put his People out of all patience, and cast them into those disorders, for which he was extreamly troubled; That he had not yet in the least changed the good will he had by so many effects ex∣pressed towards them, of which he was desirous to give them notice, intreating they would send him an account of their last Resolutions, that he might take his measures by their Answer.

The States resolved some Deputies should be sent to him, and Orange obtained they should suffer Provisions for his Army to be carried after him. This favour having lasted but two days, he thought of gaining Dendremond, but those of Antwerp hindred his passage over the Scheld, and when afterwards he would have taken his way by Vilvoord, those of Malines let go their Sluces: so that his unfortunate Army was con∣strained to expose themselves to a march through that great Tract of Water, not without loss of above three hundred Men. In fine after they had trudg'd near thirty leagues with incredible difficulties, though it was but seven leagues distant by the direct road, they arrived at Dendremond, which served them as the second Plank after their Shipwrack.

[Year of our Lord 1583. February, &c.] The Queen Mother, the Queen of England, and the King himself, for the honour of the French Nation, mediated and interposed to allay the fury of the Flemmings, and palliate the fault of the young Prince. So much was effected by their Negocia∣tions, that the States fearing he should give up to the Spaniard those places he yet held, agreed with him by a Provisional Treaty: That he should have ninety thousand Florins to pay his Army, provided he would retire to Dunkirk, and remain there whilst they endeavour'd an Accommodation; and in the mean time surrender Den∣dremond and Dixmude.

[month April and May] They thought with the assistance of his Forces to raise the Siege of Eiendhoue: but Biron who commanded them, being ill seconded, and withall unprovided of every thing, was not in a condition to perform it, but had enough to do to struggle for two whole Months together with his necessities. Nevertheless the Duke of Parma durst not attaque him in his Camp near Rosendale. Mean while the Disorders increased daily in those Provinces thorough the contrariety of Sentiments, and diversity of the Interests of the States Deputies, who agreed in nothing but their outcries against the French. Therefore after the Duke of Anjou had for two Months languished in his melancholy abode of Dunkirk, expecting their ultimate Resolution in vain, he Em∣barqued the Eight and twentieth of June, to come to Calais. [month June.]

[month July.] Two days after his departure, the Ghentois blinded by their obstinate hatred against the French and the Catholick Religion, shut up Birons passage, whereby he might have gone to the relief of Dunkirk, so that it surrendred upon Composition; and after that Neuport, Furnes, Dixmude, St. Vinochs Bergh, and Meenen fell into the hands of the Spaniards. These losses redoubled their out-cries, and mutinies in

Ghent and Antwerp, in so much as the Prince of Orangé not finding himself any longer secure in Antwerp, prudently retired into Zealand with all his Family the Two and twentieth of July, having first assigned the States General to meet at Middeburgh.

A Month after, Biron went likewise out of the Country with his Troops, and led [month July and Aug.] them to the Duke of Anjou who was in Cambresis. He made signs as if he would have raised more: but this was only to have some pretenoe not to come to Court, though the King had sent for him. His last act had cover'd his face with so much shame and confusion, that he avoided the sight of all Mankind, wandring from place to place like one berest of his sences, and was not able to admit his own Mother into his pre∣sence, who went on purpose to seek him out. Thus did he waste the last six Months [Year of our Lord 1583] of this year, the King taking little thought for him, as knowing the only remedy for these Escapades is the neglect of them.

But himself troubled with Hypocondriacal Vapours, (which affect the Brain, ren∣der the Mind feeble and inconstant, possess it with fantastical and airy Visions) had suffer'd himself to be led away with a humour of Devotion as little serious as unbe∣comming his Dignity. A Cloister was his most usual Retreat, Processions and Fra∣ternities his most frequent Exercise, and Pilgrimages his greatest Expeditions; From these Devotions he would often in an instant leap into his pleasures afresh, and had even found out the art to blend them together; During the Carnaval he went by day about the Streets in Masquerade, and at night into the Houses, where a thousand youthful frolicks were acted; then in Lent he went in Procession with the Penitents.

This year he erected a Fraternity at Paris, named Penitents of the Annunciation, because he began it on that day. They marched by two and two in three Divisions, of blew, black, and white, cover'd with a Sack, or Frock of those colours, having a Vizord on their Faces, and a Whip in their Hands, or at their Girdle. The Cardinal de Guise carried the Cross, all the Grandees of the Court, even the Chan∣cellor and Keeper of the Seals, were of them: but not one of the Parliament would be present, lest they should seem to countenance and authorise this Forreign Novelty.

The People were too well acquainted with the disorderly and licentious lives of the Courtiers, to be moved with these superficial shews of Devotion: and moreover those loads of Oppression laid upon them by the Minions in new Imposts, creation of Offices, and violent Taxes, which were raised (a thing unusual in this Kingdom) without any Verification of the Soveraign Courts, whetted the most slanderous Tongues and Satyrical Pens both against them, and against their Master. Joyeuse and Espernon level'd at the Duke of Anjou whose grandeur was an obstruction to their vast designs, and the Guises were agreed with them on this point; Espernon shock'd the Guises, and was shock'd by them upon all occasions: but Joyeuse would hold in with those Princes, because he had Married a Wife of that Family, or rather be∣cause he desired to make himself Head of the League, and gain the support of so strong a Party. The Queen Mother had a mortal hatred both for the Guises and for the [Year of our Lord 1583] the Minions, but she declining in her power, found her self under the necessity of making use both of the one and other to ascend again. She trod the same path to her dying day; yet she endeavour'd to preserve the Duke of Anjou whom either of them sought to ruine, and studies to bring him once more to the management of Af∣fairs for her own ends, though she were resolved not to let him hold it long. Such was the disposition of all Parties then.

The King himself had put the first thoughts of dividing his Kingdom betwixt them, into the heads of his brace of Favourites, as if they had been his own Chil∣dren. Joyeuse had conceived a design to get Languedoc, and to joyn the Comtat of Avignon to it; and to this effect was resolved by the Authority of the King, to oblige his Holiness to Excommunicate the Mareschal de Montmorency as a protector and favourer of Hereticks, and to give him the Comtat in exchange for the Marquisate of Salusses. Now that he might not refuse him this, he had contrived an intrigue to seize upon it, by means of William Patris Bishop of Grace Favourite of the Car∣dinal d'Armagnac the Popes Legat in those Countries: but the Mine being discovered Patris was assassinated by order from Rome.

Joyeuse did not give over the pursuing of his point, and finding he could get no∣thing but ambiguous answers from Rome, he resolved to go thither himself to ne∣gociate this Affair with the Pope, imagining that the splendour of his favour, and the gallant propositions he would offer for the exaltation of the Pontifical Autho∣rity, would obtain all he desired. He was magnificently received at Rome: Lewis Cardinal d'Est presented him to his Holiness, he respected him as the Favourite of a

very potent Monarch: but for the rest did not comply with any of his demands, except a Cardinals Hat for the Archbishop of Narbonne his younger Brother.

The King stiling him his Brother in his Letters of Recommendation, the Venetians upon his return rendred him as much honour as if he had been a Son of France, the Dukes of Ferrara and Mantoua treated him in the same manner, and all the Cities of France where he passed made him their Compliments as they were ordered to do: nevertheless the vexation of mind he brought home with him for the Popes denial, or as some others will have it, an unfortunate trick of youth, cast him into a long fit of Sickness, which made him so lean, and so ill-favour'd, that it was some time ere he durst appear before the King, with whom during this interval his Rival had gained so much advantage, that he might easily have quite supplanted him, had he not feared [Year of our Lord 1583] some other might come into his place, whose more auspicious favour might perhaps have thrust him out likewise.

Queen Margaret was then at Court, where she could not forbear making feuds and practising her wonted malice. A Courier whom the King sent to Joyeuse in Italy, [month July.] being kill'd upon his Journey, and his Letters rifled, the King suspected it was by her contrivance, and resolved to be revenged by defaming her, as she endeavour'd to vilifie him. He reproached her publickly of her familiarity with James de Harlay Chanvallon, said she kept certain Ladies about her that were her Confidents, whom he called precious Vermine; then some few days after commanded her to go to her Husband, and upon the Road, sent a Captain of his Guards who searched her very Litter, pull'd her Masque off her Face, and seized upon two or three of her Domestick Servants and brought them before the King with two of her Dames. He examined them each apart concerning the manner of Life and Conversation of his Sister, then sent them to the Bastille.

The King of Navarre could easily not resolve to receive his Wife thus defam'd; he pressed the King to chastise her himself if she deserved to suffer such Indignities, if not to clear her of those Scandals: the King without offering to make out any [month August, &c.] thing, repeated his absolute Commands; and the Mareschal de Matignon having in∣vested him in Nerac by privately conveying Garrisons into all the places thereabout, forced him to receive her.

The Expences of the Favourites were excessive, and the depredations of the Fi∣nances, even by those very Men that managed the Treasury, much greater yet. This ill Husbandry begot such an extream scarcity of Money, that often times there was not enough to furnish the Kings Table, and if we may so say, the Pottage-Pot stood often topsey-turvey. His Flatterers pretended the People loved him so infinitely, that whenever he did but signifie his wants, all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 untie their Purse Strings to assist him; It was for this purpose, but under 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••our of redressing the present Dis∣orders, that he the precedent year, had sent to visit the provinces by Persons of Credit and Probity, who with smooth and fine Harangues, concluded always with a touch upon that String, but to very little purpose.

[Year of our Lord 1583] When he found that Project would hot take, he called an Assembly of Notables to St. Germain en Laye, thinking thereby to gain the good will of the People, and let them know that if he had sent Commissioners, it was not so much for his own Interests, as to hear their Complaints and do them Justice.

[month Septemb. &c.] The Assembly was divided into three Chambers, each of them having a Prince of the Blood for President; The Affairs were all distributed, which they reduced to cer∣tain Heads, as well for the Reformation of the Clergy, the Nobility and the Judges, as for the Administration of the Government, and regulation or dispensation of the Finances. There were very excellent Propositions tendred; as to set aside all sale of Offices and Employments; to assign punishments for all such as should invent any new Imposts or Creations; to purge the Kings Council of those that had any Combina∣tion with the Parties belonging to the Finances, and to prevent all under-hand villanous dealing therein: Chiverny had introduced that fraudulent practise amongst them ever since he had had the Seals, endeavouring thereby to procure both Employment and Authority to himself, as not having so much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he desired in Affairs of State.

The Clergy were not forgetful in demanding the re-establishment of Elections, and the publication of the Council of Trent: as to the first point, all those that thought it much easier to acquire favour and interest, then merit and learning stood up against it: and for the second the Chapters, Parliaments, and the Kings Council made Head and opposed it; so that they obtained neither the one nor the other. As for the rest, the King established four Councils, i. e. the Council for Foreign Affairs, the Council of State, the Council de Finances, (or the Treasury) and the Privy-Council.

They were composed of Men of the Sword, of the Church, and of the long Robe, to whom he prescribed even the fashion of their Garments both for Winter and Summer, and assigned them two thousand Livers per Annum Wages.

The remaining part of the year was spent in setling these Regulations and divers [☞] other Orders, the multiplication whereof in France hath never had any other effect but the multiplying of Abuses and Grievances. In the mean while the Three and twentieth [month November.] of November died the Cardinal Rene de Birague, aged Seventy four years, who said of himself, That he was A Cardinal without a Title, a Priest without a Benefice, and a Chancellor without the Seals; (for in the year 1578. he had given them up to Chiverny) One might have added, A Judge without knowledge in the Law, and a Magistrate without any Authority, because in truth he had no learning, and bowed his Head like a tall Reed to every blast of Court wind, having more respect for a Valet in favour then to all the Laws of the Kingdom.

A famous Ingenier named Louis de Foix, Native of Paris, but Originally of the Country whose name he bare, began this year to build the Phare at the mouth of the [Year of our Lord 1583] River of Bourdeaux, near the ruines of another Tower which was named the Tower of Cordouan. Two years before he had done great service towards the Trade of Bayonne. The Sea had brought such vast quantities of Sand into the old* 1.53 Boucaud of the River Adour, that she had forsaken that, and had made her self a new one, but longer and more tortuous, by which she discharged her self into the Sea at Cape-breton: He forced it by strong Banks, to take the former way, which is much the more commodious and in a direct line.

The greatest apprehension King Philip lay under, was, lest the Low-Countries should give themselves up to the King of France, rather then fall again under the tyranny of his Governors. Every one desired it, the honest Frenchman, to remove the Civil War out of the Kingdom, the Favourites in hatred to the Duke of Anjou, and the Hu∣guenots to avoid the mischiefs threatned by the League. This was it made Philip en∣deavour and try by all means and ways to set France on fire first to prevent them from doing so in his own Countries. It is said, that having found amongst the Papers belonging to Don Juan of Austria some kind of Treaty between that Prince and the Duke of Guise, he threatned the said Duke he would reveal his secrets to the King, unless he would contract the like private Intelligence with him, and would at the same time have obliged him to take up Arms: but could not engage him to the last particular neither by his Menaces, nor by his Prayers.

Having missed his end tha•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he took another quite contrary one: and would needs make the Huguenots ri••e, a••••ressing himself to the King of Navarre profering to give him fifty thousand Crowns a Month, and two hundred thousand for advance. That King gave Ear to him for a while: but on a suddain repented it, and gave in∣formation to the King.

This was because they had put another design into his Head. Gebard Truchses Archbishop of Colen, had Married and struggled hard to keep both his Wife and his Bishoprick too: which induced him to embrace the Religion of Calvin, whose Prin∣ciples allow the joyning those two things together, which are not compatible in the Roman Church. It concerned the reputation of the Protestant Party to maintain him in his Archbishoprick: the King of Navarre fancied therefore that it might prove a considerable business to unite all the Princes of that Religion to undertake his defence, [month July.] and to this end he sollicited and exhorted them by a famous Embassy.

His design was by all applauded, but seconded by none: so that Gebard, who in the beginning had some advantage, being forsaken by all the World, even by Casimir, who was busie about getting the possession of the Palatinate after the death of the [Year of our Lord 1583] Elector Lewis his elder Brother, was turned out of all the places he held, and retired to the Hague in Holland, experimenting at leisure and to his own cost that a Wife without an Estate is a thing much more inconvenient then a Benefice without a Wife.

[month October and Novemb. &c.] The King of Spain continually pres••••d the Guises to rivet themselves more closely to him. And to engage them, he let them see a Treaty of Montmorencies which was then on foot: who being push'd at by Joyeuse, (he undertaking to thrust him out of Languedoc) had indeed made application for his secret protection. Besides the Fa∣vourites shock'd them every hour, and stripping them day by day of their Offices and Governments, hurried them to dispair: nevertheless considering the inconveniencies and peril such are liable to who take up Arms against the King, they could not yet resolve to play so dangerous a part.

Though the Duke of Guise knew that the Duke of Anjou hated him to death, yet he forbore not to tempt him with divers Propositions, for it would have been or in∣finite advantage to have had a Son of France at the Head of his Party. The Duke of Anjou listned for a while to his profers: but when it was least thought on or [month February and March.] expected, they were amazed to behold that Prince upon his Knees before the King humbly craving pardon for his faults. This was in the time of Carnaval, which fell out this year about the latter end of February: but he staid not above seven or eight days at Court, and then returned to Chasteau-Thierry.

[month May and June] After this his Health continually impaired, a confirm'd Phtisick troubled him so grievously, that he went seldom out of Doors, and his violent Cough having burst a Vein in his Breast, he lost so much Blood as cast him into fits of fainting the Twentieth day of May. After which accident he yet languished twenty days more with a slow Fever, then gave up his Soul the Tenth of June. He carried with him to his Grave the Tears and Sighs of those unhappy People who had assisted him in the War of Flanders: for he died in Debt Three hundred thousand Crowns, and the King would rather vainly expend two hundred thousand on his Funeral then pay one Penny of his Debts.

Many imagined that his Death was not Natural, and said this was the first Act of that Tragedy whereof Salsede had made the Prologue. Now that which gave most credit to such Discourse, was two horrible attempts which were set on foot at the same time; One against Queen Elizabeth by a Natural Englishman named William Parry, who had undertaken to kill her in her Park, but he was detected and punished; the other upon the Prince of Orange, who was unfortunately kill'd by Pistol-Shot in his own House, [month July.] by one Balth••zar Gerard a Native of the Franche-Comte, and an Emissary of the Spaniards. Philip the eldest of that Princes two Sons, being then in the Spaniards hands, where he was held a long time, the States gave the second, named Maurice, the Government of Holland, Zealand, and West-Frise, together with the Admiralty, though he were scarce Eighteen years of Age.

[Year of our Lord 1584] As Monsieurs Life gave the Queen Mother work enough, put some stop to the am∣bition of the Guises, and lull'd the King of Navarre asleep, his Death quite changed the whole Scene and Interests of those Factions. It seemed already as if the suc∣cession of the Crown were open, the whole World knew the King was uncapable of getting Children by reason of his debility proceeding from a Distemper which made him shed his Hair. The Queen Mother who little valued the Fundamental Laws of France, would needs call the Children of her Daughter by the Duke of Lorrain to the Crown; she had sounded the Kings mind upon it, and endeavour'd to persuade him, that there remained but little of the Blood Royal 〈…〉〈…〉 sixth degree, which must needs become very cold and languid at that distan••••, that the Bourbons were no more of his Parentage then by Adam and Eve, and that it would be more natural to leave the Succession to his Nephews, then to Persons so far off. There is some likelihood she might have succeeded in her intentions, had the Duke of Lorrain and his Son, but inherited as much courage, and as many noble qualities as the Duke of Guise was Master of.

This Man seemed to take no notice of her design, but made her hope he would serve her in all things: but as he loved himself better yet then the elder Branch of his own House, he consulted his own proper advantage. Now because he had no right or title of his own to intermedle in the Affairs of the Kingdom, he thought it convenient to make use of the Cardinal Charles de Bourbon, whom he possessed with the opinion that he was presumptive Heir to the Crown, as being nearer by one degree then the King of Navarre his Nephew, representation taking no place in a Transversal Line, so that this good Man hated his Nephew as his Rival, and hugged and look'd upon the Duke of Guise as a powerful Friend who helped him to make out his Right.

The King was well informed of all these practises by the King of Navarre, and the more he found them desirous to keep that Prince at distance, the more he thought it his Interest to draw him nearer: but to remove and take away all manner of pretence they could have whereby to render him odious to the Catholicks, he would willingly have brought him back into the bosom of the Church, before he called him to Court. To that end he sent the Duke of Espernon to him, who strove to persuade him by Argu∣ments of Interest, which ordinarily are most prevalent with Princes: but his Ministers and the Consistorians deterr'd him from it, and perhaps he apprehended the King did not proceed sincerely, and that they only felt his pulse, to try whether they could [Year of our Lord 1584] divide him from his old Friends. Wherefore Plessis Mornay to satisfie their Con∣gregations, whom this Conference had hugely allarmed, caused it to be publish'd

to the great displeasure of the King, and the disadvantage even of his own Master.

For the Leagued began to report that Espernon was not gone thither to convert, but to confirm him in his Heresie; that he took a pride in continuing obstinate in his Er∣rors; and that the King chalking him out the way to oppress the Catholick Princes, he would certainly if ever he attained the Crown overturn the ancient Religion. They bawled much lowder yet when they were made acquainted that by his means the King was agreed with Montmorency, at the very time he was raising Men to fall upon that Mareschal, and that shortly after for his sake only, had prolonged the time for restitution of those places which had been given to the Huguenots.

Their Emissaries made this found high amongst the People, the Preachers thunder'd it in their Pulpits, the Confessors whisper'd it in the Ears of their Penitents, and their Libels insinuated the same to all their Readers. To these supposed subjects of De∣clamation, they cast in the Protection of Geneva, the Order of the Garter sent by Queen Elizabeth to the King, and a pretended League made by the Protestants at Magdeburgh for the defence of Gebard Truchses. Then after they had stained the honour of the King by all the inventions they could think of, they highly recommended the Piety, Courage, and goodness of the Lorrain Princes, whom they termed Bucklers of their Faith, and the Fathers of their Country and People.

[month October, &c.] Then having heated the Zealous, stirr'd up the Factious, and persuaded the Simple, they began to rise, to list Soldiers, hold Assemblies, elect private and nameless Chiefs, upon whose summons by Ticket such as were enrolled were to meet at certain appoint∣ed places, to renew the League, first at Paris, then in the Provinces. The Duke of Nevers was he who laboured most to shape it into some form and regular method. In a few months it grew formidable, and in a condition to declare: nothing was want∣ing to compleat their Authority but a confirmation from the Pope: Father Claude Matthew a Jesuit, carried the Platform and Memoirs of it to Rome, the Cardinal Pelve presented it to his Holiness, and the Spanish Cardinals did second it, or hugg'd [Year of our Lord 1584] it rather, as we may say, in their Arms. The Pope did not reject it at first: but whether he were afraid of allarming the Protestant Princes, and offend the King to such a degree as to make him enter into Confederation with them, he would not coun∣tenance it by any publick Act, but thought it enough to entertain them with hopes.

Besides the cause of Religion, the extraordinary oppression of Impost favour'd it extreamly: all other pretences and practises of the Grandees had been of little effi∣cacy to move the People, had they not been grievously molested. The loads that lay upon them were insupportably heavy in comparison of those in former Kings Reigns; the King had made Edicts for more then fifty Millions, of which not so much as two ever came into his Coffers; and the Gifts in this year 1584. amounted to five Millions of Gold. Wherefore to satisfie the People upon their menacing Complaints, he sup∣press'd sixty four Edicts which had been verified in Parliament, abated seven hundred [☞] thousand Livers of the Tailles, moderated his profusion in some measure, and erected a Royal Chamber for inquiry into the Accounts of the Financiers. Which would have afforded matter of great joy to all honest Men, had not the event made it plainly ap∣pear, that they pursued and inspected those Harpies rather to get some share in their Prey, then to hinder the like Depredations for the future.

Observing how the Guises by their caresses had gained the favour of the People, he affected during some Months to appear Popular; he shewed himself in publick and with a smiling and gracious Countenance, caressed the Deputies from the several Cities, and the principal Bourgeois of Paris, assisted at the Fraternities and solemn Masses, but this borrowed Humour was soon spent, and he shrowded himself within his Closet as before.

[month December.] The Duke of Espernon with some of the Council, had made a Party to seize upon the Duke of Guise: he had notice of it and retired to his Government of Champagne, carrying his Nephew along with him: the Cardinal his Brother followed soon after. The Spanish Agents took advantage of this juncture, and never let them rest, till they had made a secret Treaty with them. It was negociated at Joinville, and concluded the last day of December of this year 1584.

It contained a Confederation and League Offensive and Defensive between King Philip and the Catholick Princes, for them and for their Heirs, to preserve the Ca∣tholick Religion, as well in France as in the Low-Countries. That when the Death of Henry III. should happen the Cardinal de Bourbon should be installed in the Throne, and that all Heretical Princes relapsed should for ever be excluded; That in such

case the new King should renew the Treaty made at Cambray in 1558. should ba∣nish [Year of our Lord 1584] all Hereticks by publick Edict, cause the Decrees of the Council of Trent to be observed, renounce both for himself and his Successors all Alliance with the Turk, hinder the Cities belonging to the Low-Countries to be put any more into the hands of the French, and aid the Catholick King to reduce Cambray and the Rebel Cities; Reciprocally the Spaniard should furnish the French Princes with fifty thousand Pistols per Month, and should advance them four hundred thousand from six Months to six Months, for which the Cardinal de Bourbon should be accountable if he attained to the Crown.

[Year of our Lord 1585. January.] Besides this Sum, the Agent of Spain caused several others to be paid to the Duke of Guise, which he scatter'd about with a free hand to gain those of whom he stood in most need. There were few, yea, very few indeed, in all France that were not to be bought, could he have paid down but the price demanded: but as all the Gold of India had not been sufficient to purchase and satisfie all that were Venal, there hapned to be multitudes who enraged that they had been neglected, or less valued then others whom they esteemed much beneath themselves, turned the other way, and became sworn Enemies to this Guisian Faction.

After the States of Holland had wasted a great deal of time in deliberating under whose Dominion they should seek a shelter, that might be able to guard and secure them from the oppression of the Spaniard, having lost the Cities of Bruges and Ghent, and the Duke of Parm•• holding Antwerp invested, they sent some Deputies to the King to intreat he would accept them for his Subjects. The Spanish Ambassador employ'd all his Efforts to hinder them from being admitted to Audience: however he could not: the King heard them, received their Propositions in Writing and pro∣mised to return his Answer. Then did the Spaniards press the Duke of Guise to de∣clare himself, and could have no more patience with him till he had thrown his Masque aside.

When therefore he had put the Cardinal de Bourbon, (the best Card in his Hand) into [month March.] a place of security, the Nobility of Picardy having been to fetch him at Gaillon, whence they carried him to Peronne: he put forth a Declaration the Eighteenth of March, not Signed by any one; then observing little credit was given to it, because it had no name, he put forth a second, bearing that of the Cardinal de Bourbon, together with the [Year of our Lord 1585] names of those Princes, Prelats and Officers, whom he said to be his Assistants. Many faults were found with this also, and having to deal with People of various minds, they changed and alter'd it again and again, so that there were hardly twenty Copies to be met with that were alike.

At the same time the Duke plaid his Game; Verdun and then Toul were surprised by Guitaud: but they failed at Mets where the Duke of Espernon had put things in good posture. Himself secured Chaalons and Mezieres, the Duke d'Aumale most of the Cities in Picardy, Brissac that of Angiers, Entragues secur'd himself of Orleans, the Duke of Mayenne of Dijon, and some others in Burgundy by himself, and of a great many Cities and Castles in Daufine by the Nobility of the Country, whom he had charmed with his magnificence and civility. The City of Bourdeaux barricado'd her self to drive out Matignon, but that wise and prudent Lord, making use first of his Intreaties till he had drawn his Men together, then of his Commands when he found himself the stronger, caused the Barricado's to be pull'd down, and so seized upon some of the most Mutinous, whom notwithstanding he pardon'd. Some few days after he craftily allured Vaillac Governor of the Castle Trompette to come thither, and forced him to surrender the place.

Dariez second Consul of Marseille, had promis'd in the absence of the first, to make himself Master thereof; the Duke of Nevers was to have had that Government, and to faciliate the Enterprize, had sent four of the Duke of Florences Galleys thither crowded with Foot-Soldiers, who had cast Anchor without the Chain of that port, expecting the Signal for execution. Now Dariez, by means of one certain Boniface, [month April.] had raised a great Tumult in the City, and seized upon the Castle of Nostre-Dame de la Garde: yet did not carry the business on, or follow his first blow with vigour, but kept up the Commotion for three days without compleating his design: In the mean while a notable Man named Francis Bouguier, who had great credit with the Marseillois, having got all his Freinds together, besets him in a Court of Guard, and carries both him and Boniface away Prisoners to the Town-Hall, so that the Grand Prior coming the next day with the Count de Carces, they brought them forthwith upon their Trial. In one day they were Examined, Condemned, and Hanged by Torch-light.

The Duke of Nevers came to Avignon, as was conjectur'd, to encourage in the Enterprise; yet some have thought his Voyage had another motive; Being of a tender Conscience, he desired, say they, before he engaged farther in the League, to [Year of our Lord 1585] know whether it were truly the work of God; and that he might be certain, would try whether the Pope would give it his approbation. Father Matthew the Jesuit, (called the Courier of the League) made two or three Journeys one soon after ano∣ther to Rome, to obtain a Bull for it; in default of a Bull he demanded a Brief, and in default of a Brief a Letter only, that the Duke of Nevers might have a sight of it in the Vice-Legats hands. This was the occasion, as some believe, of that Princes going to Avignon: but Father Mat hew lost all his labour, he could neither obtain Brief nor Bull.

Nevertheless there is a Letter to be seen, lately made publick, making mention that the Pope did not think good they should attempt upon the Life of the King, but only secure his Person, to seize upon his Places under his Authority; whence two things may be deduced, (if at least it were not an Imposture of that Couriers to engage the Duke) the one that the Pope at the bottom did not discountenance the League, although he durst not declare himself for fear of the consequence and because of the uncertainty of the success; the other that the League had made some proposition against the Person of the King, and that the Duke of Nevers was not ignorant of it. However it were, the Enterprise of Marseilles failing, he made a Journey to Rome, and from that time, as some write, or within a year afterwards, utterly renounced the League; and thus having offended his Brother in Law the Duke of Guise, he necessa∣rily became his Enemy.

[month April.] The Kings Council did not proceed all upon the same foot: Espernon and his Parti∣sans would have them attaque the League without intermission and without any quarter; on the contrary such as did dread the Duke of Guise, or hated Espernon, were of opinion to temporise. The King at first followed Espernons advice, but soon after falling into his natural softness, and persuaded by his Mother, he relaxed so far, as to g••ve Commission to that Princess to go to Espinay, find out the Duke of Guise, and Treat with him.

His Order was she should oblige him to lay down his Arms before she entred upon any Negociation, on the contrary the Duke of Guises design was to gain time that he might draw his Forces together. Which he craftily practised for ten or twelve days together: then in short told her neither himself nor Friends would quit their Arms till they were satisfied in their demands, and immediately took Horse to meet his Reisters who were then upon the Frontiers.

Scarce was he out of sight when Rubempre, either for not being well paid, or for be∣ing so by both sides, labour'd to debauch the old Cardinal de Bourbon from him; no sooner had he a hint of it but he returned in post-haste to prevent it. In the mean while the King of Navarre puts forth Manifesto's, to shew the justice of his Cause, in one of which he offer'd the Duke of Guise to decide this Quarrel between them two, [Year of our Lord 1585] with such number of Seconds, and in such place the Duke would make choice of, either within or out of the Kingdom. But the Duke was too wary a Man to be picqued with a bravado which would have reduced the general Cause to a particular one; he pro∣tested he honour'd the Birth and Merits of the King of Navarre, that he had no contest against him, and that he only concerned and interested himself for defence of the Ca∣tholick Religion.

These Manifesto's however had a great effect upon the Spirits of such as were not then engaged to either Party, and brought in great numbers; and besides the Forces of the League were beaten and dispersed in divers Provinces, the Duke of Montpensier cut off five hundred Men commanded by the Baron de Drou, who lived at discretion in his Dutchy of Chastelleraud; the Duke of Joyeuse beat along before him the Troops of the Duke d'Elbaeuf, from Touraine even to Normandy, where they were totally dispersed; and Espernon getting on Horseback, as soon as he was cured of an Imposthume above his Jaw on the left Cheek, pursued four thousand Men, who had their Rendezvous about Orleans, so smartly, that they could never form themselves into a Body.

The heat of those who had declared for that Party began to cool, the Volunteers to retire to their own homes upon pretence of an approaching Peace, the Kings Ser∣vants to draw many by secret practises, and the Huguenots to raise Forces under-hand by the Kings tacite permission. The Guises perceiving that such Negociations were ruinous to them, and that it was for those very ends they spun out the Treaty to such length, address'd a Petition to the King, demanded an Edict against the Religionaries, and protesting they were joyned together for no other purpose, and thereupon rashly

break off the Conference, mount their Horses, and put new warmth and spirit into their Party, principally those who dwelt in great Cities, and such as were of the Clergy who had most dependance upon Rome.

The King whom they had made believe that the whole Party was unhing'd and scatter'd, fell from the greatest security into the greatest consternation. He sends the Queen Mother Order to conclude with them upon any terms whatever. For this a Conference was held at Nemours between her and the Duke of Guise. Espernon would needs be present, fearing lest his Head, or his proscription should be one Article of the Treaty; and this necessity of the times made that haughty Spirit stoop, though contrary to his usual custom: but the Duke would take no advantage unless it were to shew him more civility, and more respect; with design perhaps either to get him on his side, or else render him suspected by the King. [Year of our Lord 1585]

They did not only give the Heads of the League that Edict they demanded against the Religionaries (this was in the Month of July) and the full command of the Armies [month July.] to execute the same: but also the Cities of Chaalons, St. Disier, Reims, Toul, Verdun, Soissons, Dijon, Beaune, St. Esprit, Rue in Picardy, Dinan and Concarneau in Bretagne. To the Cardinals of Bourbon and of Guise, the Dukes of Guise, of Mayenne, and d'El∣boeuf, each of them a Company of Arquebusiers on Horseback for their Guards; an hundred thousand Crowns to build a Citadel at Verdun, and double that Sum to pay off the Men they had levied in Germany; as likewise a discharge for what Moneys they had taken of the Kings.

Hitherto the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde had lain quiet without stirring in appearance: the publication of this Agreement gave them cause, to League them∣selves anew with the Mareschal de Montmorency, whose ruine must necessarily have followed theirs, and to send also into Germany for the raising of Lansquenets and Reisters.

Now the King being just ready to be crushed betwixt two potent Parties, who were going desperately to engage each other, could think of no other expedient to avoid that destruction, but to draw the King of Navarre to him, to serve as a Bulwark against the League. He therefore sent some Deputies to tempt him a second time; but he could not be wrought upon, neither to return to the Communion of the Church of Rome, nor to suspend the Exercise of his own Religion for six Months, much less to surrender the Cities he held for security; He only promised to meet at a Conference with the Queen Mother, when they could agree upon the place of Interview.

Though Orders were given out to prosecute the Huguenots in all parts of the King∣dom, nevertheless in several Provinces the Governors knowing the Kings intentions, did not much press the execution of the Edict: Montmorency and Chastillon restrained Languedoc; Matignon made no great haste to do any thing in Guyenne, but only took care to prevent the King of Navarre from making any stirs. The Huguenots had no other general word but Vive le Roy, and white Scarfs with the Flower-de-Luce for their Liveries. As to the rest they were weak enough every where, unless it were in Dau∣fine and Poitou. In Daufine Lesdiguieres who had put all things in order in good time, [month September, and October.] took Chorges, Montelimar, and Ambrun, and in Poitou and Saintonge the Prince found himself in a capacity to besiege Brouage.

Whilst he lay before it news was brought him how three Captains had seized on the [Year of our Lord 1585] Castle of Angers, having by a base and cruel piece of treachery kill'd the Governor, who was their Friend: but they were immediately besieged by the Citizens, then by Brissac and Joyeuse. The Prince thought it would be a noble exploit to gain a place at that time so considerable, he would needs go himself with the best part of his Forces: but not willing to abandon the Siege of Brouage, he left a small Naval Army there in the Canal, and fifteen hundred Men in the Trenches; to which we may add that the Inhabitants of the Islands offer'd to defend them in case of necessity. He had hopes the Vicount de Turenne would in a few days bring four or five thousand Men more out of Limosin, and that he would undertake the management of the said Siege in his absence.

Now being eleven days in giving his Orders, and above fifteen in his march, he found the Castle of Angers, wherein there was but sixteen Men, had capitulated two days before his arrival. His want of diligence which made him lose so fair an op∣portunity, had almost utterly ruined him too. For having amused himself two days in attempting the Suburbs of Angers, and two more in composing some quarrels be∣tween certain Gentlemen, he found when he thought to repass the Loire, six great Boats filled with Soldiers upon the River, and five hundred Horse on the other shoar, who were disposed to cut off his Men as fast as they should venture to get over. He knew likewise that Brissac coasted him, and that Joyeuse was at his Heels; in so much that

being beset on all sides, he was forced to divide his Army into small Parties and let them get off as well as they could. Most of them shifted away securely enough, but all the Carriages and his Bagage was left in the Highways, or in Woods and Hedges: the Chiefs with very few in their company slipt happily by the Enemy, some one way, some another without the loss of so much as one. As for the Prince, going down by the Country of Mayne into the Lower-Normandy, he took shipping between Auranches and St. Malo's, passed over to Jersey Island, and from thence into England.

The unfortunate event of this Enterprize made the Forces that were before Brouage disperse as soon as the Mareschal de Matignon approached; and likewise those under the Vicount de Turenne, who disbanded them for fear of being embar∣rass'd between the Duke of Mayenne's Army which entred Poitou, and that of Ma∣tignon. So that in those parts the Huguenots had no more left but two thousand Men commanded by Laval one of the Sons of Dandelot, together with la Boulaye, who after they saw the miscarriage of the design upon Angers, were got over the Loire in [Year of our Lord 1585] good time.

[month October and November.] The Kings Edicts which seized the Goods, and which gave Order to lay hold of the Bodies of all those that had taken up Arms for the service of the Prince of Conde, and commanded them to leave the Kingdom, did yet more increase their consterna∣tion. There were many abjured, according to a form prescribed and drawn up by the Bishops, and many who repaired to the King of Navarre. This Prince finding that all was like to fall upon his Shoulders, laid aside all former jealousie against the Prince of Conde which some Flatterers had possess'd him withall, and joyned more strictly to him then ever.

Some Months before a Thunderblot from the Coast of Rome was level'd at the Heads of both those Princes. Sixtus V. succeeded Gregory XIII. who died in the Month of April. He was of a haughty Spirit, and one that delighted to attaque those that were highest thereby to exalt his own name and power: so that consenting to the Requests and instant desires of the League, which his Predecessor had con∣stantly [month May.] refused, he sent forth a roaring Bull against the Princes, in a stile conformable to his Humour and to the grandeur of the Subject. He declared,

Henry, hereto∣sore,

King of Navarre, and Henry Prince of Conde, (whom he stiled the Bastard and detestable Generation of the illustrious House of Bourbon)

Hereticks, Relaps'd, Heads, Abettors and Protectors of Heresie, and as such fell under the Censnres and Peins contained in the Holy Canons, and therefore deprived of all Seigneuries, Lands and Dignities, and uncapable of succeeding to any Principality, namely to the Crown of France, disengaged their Subjects from their Oaths of Fidelity and Allegiance, and forbid them to pay any Obedience, upon pain of being involved in the same Excommunication.

This Thunder-clap which one would guess should have been fatal, proved less hurtful to them then to the Holy See. For it excited not only the Huguenots, but even Catholicks zealous for the ancient Truths and Liberties of France, to search to the very bottom what Authority this was that Popes had over Soveraigns, who sound [month July and Aug.] it was not such in the Councils and in the Canons as Rome imagined and pretended. Besides it gave the Excommunicated Princes an occasion to shew the bravery of their courage; for they sound means to post up a Paper in the very Streets and Carefours [Year of our Lord 1585] of Rome, containing their oppositions, and appeal from that Sentence, viz. for the Temporal Concern to the Pairs of France, and for the Crime of Heresie, to the future Council; Before whom they cited the Pope, and declared him Anti-Christ if he did not appear. This Bull did likewise awaken the King with some apprehension, lest it should be an attempt to dethrone him; he put a stop to it, and would not suffer it to be published in the Kingdom. It were to be wished he had so order'd things as to have obliged the Pope to revoke it absolutely, as the Council of King Charles IX. did oblige Pius IV. to revoke one he had sent out in the year 1563. against Queen Jane d'Abret.

[month November, and December.] The League had compell'd the King to let them have two Armies to fall upon the Princes. The Duke of Guise commanded one towards the Frontiers of Champagne, to prevent the coming in of any succours from the Protestants of Germany; with the other the Duke of Mayenne entred Saintonge. Matignon joyned him with those he had raised in Bourdelois: but instead of strengthning him he clogged and thwarted him continually, not only because he he had private instructions from the Court to do so, but for spite another should have command in his Government.

All the places of Poitou and Saintonge were greatly dismayed at the Princes absence, and the King of Navarre on his part extreamly perplexed, for that his own Wife had revolted against him: However she not acting in consort with the Court, it was not difficult for him to drive her quickly away. She retired into Auvergne with some Gentlemen; There she ran divers Adventures, and remained in that Country till her Husband recalled her to make her consent to the dissolving of their Marriage.

As to the Duke of Mayenne, Matignon was so stiff in his opinion they ought not to undertake any thing during the Winter, that they separated their Forces as soon al∣most as they were joyned. The Duke went with his into Perigord to clear it of some paltry Retreats which sheltred a company of Robbers, and the Mareschal led his own back again to Bourdeaux, to defend that Town from any attempts of the King of Navarre, or rather the Dukes.

[Year of our Lord 1586. February and March.] The following Month of February, Matignon besieged the Castle de Castels upon the Garonne, at the request of the Parliament of Bourdeaux, and sent word to the Duke of Mayenne it was high time to advance towards those parts. The Duke after he had taken some small Castles, which are not so much as mentioned in the Maps, passed the Dordogne at Souillac with a design of besieging Montauban: but when he under∣stood it was too well sortified, he fell upon certain pitiful beggerly places, without name and without defence.

In the mean while the King of Navarre made them raise the Siege of Castels, and the Prince being return'd from England with ten good Ships, and fifty thousand Crowns lent him by Queen Elizabeth, disengaged Rochel which was in a manner block'd up, and surprised Royan which yielded him two hundred thousand Crowns contribution yearly. [Year of our Lord 1586. March.]

The Sixth of March, though amidst the greatest hurry of his Affairs, he Married Charlota Daughter of Lewis de la Trimouille, and by that means brought into his Party the Duke Claude his Wives Brother, and all the Friends of that potent House.

The Duke of Mayenne lost near two Months time in waiting to surprise the King of Navarre when he should come on this side the Garonne, or go to visit the Contess of Guiche, with whom he was desperatly in Love; and to that purpose had distributed his Horse in several Posts all along his way.

During this the Prince undertook to ruine the Harbour of Brouage; and in effect, he sunk so many Hulls of old Ships, that he choak'd it, and made it, as it is yet to this day, very difficult and dangerous to enter.

Matignon does a second time lay Siege before Castels. When he was just upon the point of taking it, the Duke of Mayenne runs thither to rob him of that honour, which increased their enmity and feud. The Mareschal pretended Sickness that he might not see the Duke: who in the mean time making his approaches to Montsegur, which hindred all commerce and passage into Limosin, Perigord, and Quercy, fell realy sick, and was carried to Bourdeaux, leaving to him the command of his Army. During his absence Montsegur surrendred the Fifteenth of May upon composition, which was [month May.] but ill observed.

[month June.] All along the Month of June the Army lay idle, because Matignon jealous the Duke should be in Bourdeaux, returned immediately and dismissed the Companies d'Ordon∣nance. When the Duke was well again, they joyntly besieged Castillon: the Siege was long, toilsom and difficult, the Soldiers being dissatisfied abandonned the Trenches, the Generals were fain to lie themselves there twenty days successively. In the end the place was taken; they made good their capitulation with the Soldiery, but a cer∣tain number of the Inhabitants were sent away to the Parliament of Bourdeaux, who condemned them to the Gallows.

The same year the Vicount de Turenne regained it one fair night, forcing his way with a Petard: which gave the Huguenots occasion to brag that they with two pounds of Powder and in one quarter of an hour, did what the League could not but in two Months time, and with twenty pieces of Cannon.

This was all, the greatest Captain of the League could perform in nine Months. Perhaps it was no fault of his; He had no Money, for the Clergy within three Months time were grown quite weary of furnishing them, and the Pope contributed nothing but his Benedictions. He wanted Equipage, Artillery and Provisions, Ammunition, [Year of our Lord 1586] and had against him all things that usually ruine the great designs and reputation of Princes, for his Troops did often mutiny, his Captains quarrel'd with each other, his Colleague was jealous and suspicious, and the secret or Cabinet Council, from whence, if we may so speak, all those Animal Spirits ought to slow which keep life [ ✚.] in an Army, mortally envenomed against him.

He knew this but too well, and therefore, even trembling with rage, he demanded to be dismiss'd and press'd it so home that he obtain'd it. The Duke of Guise did in vain urge him by all imaginable Arguments to prevent it; he could have wished he would have remained in those Countries either for the reputation of his Party, or for fear he should gain the affections of the People of Paris, and deprive him of the vo∣luntary Empire he had acquired over that spacious City.

Whilst he was in Guyenne, the Duke of Guise made use of the Army he had on the Frontiers of Champagne, to seize the Cities of Raucour and Douzy upon the Duke of Bouillon; On the other side the Duke d'Aumale having armed the Picards, (passionate Leaguers) seized on the City of Dourlens, and of Pontdormy, which is a passage upon the Soan below Pequigny.

The Favourites jealous to see the whole power of the Sword in the hands of the Guises their Enemies, desired the King he would likewise give them such Command; which he granted the more willingly as intending to raise them, and turn the affections of the Soldiery that way, who do more chearfully follow plentiful Tables, and fa∣vour, [☞] the Mother of Rewards, then the bravest Captains. He had raised an Army that was to purge Auvergne, Vezelay, Givaudan, and from these Countries pass into Daufine: this Employment was designed for the Mareschal d'Aumont; Joyeuse courted it so eagerly that the King could not deny it him

[month June.] He must also give the like to the Duke d'Espernon, and withall a Government as well as to Joyeuse, who had already that of Normandy. The Government of Provence be∣coming vacant by the death of the Grand Prior, he instantly provided him with it. This Grand Prior had harbour'd a mortal resentment against a Gentleman named Al∣tovity. One day spying him at a Window of an Inn, it was at Aix, he goes directly up into his Chamber, and runs his Sword quite thorough his Body; Altovity feeling himself mortally wounded, lost all Respect with his Life, and plunged his Sword into the Priors Belly.

[Year of our Lord 1586] So many Forces could not be maintained without a prodigious Expence, there was Money enough raised to defray it: but the Kings luxury, and the greediness of the Fa∣vourites, were such gulfs as swallowed up all. Paris had furnished two hundred thou∣sand Crowns for this War, this lasted but eight days, the alienation of fifty thousand Crowns Revenue belonging to the Clergy, very little longer, no more then forty thousand Crowns Rent of the Demeasn. They would have raised more upon a crea∣tion of new Offices, and they sent twenty seven Edicts at once to the Parliament, which were the Lees and Refuse of such as had been invented by the Italian Brokers for twenty years past. But these were all rejected, and this attempt served only to discover the weakness and the injustice of the Government.

The Swiss and the King of Denmark in the first place, then the other Protestant Princes of Germany, sent to the King a solemn Embassy, to desire him to grant a Peace to the Huguenots, pursuant to the Tenour of the Edicts of Pacification. Know∣ing not what to reply, he for some time avoided the sight of those Ambassadors, and went to Dolinville, having given Order that some Noblemen should go meet and con∣duct them to Paris; Then from Dolinville, under pretence of some indisposition, he went to the Waters of Pougues, and from thence even to Lyons. But being pressed by their continual instances, he was constrained to return, and in fine he gave them an Answer, but very crude and very disobliging, whether to satifie his Honour, or not to discontent the League, I know not.

He endeavour'd during these delays on the one hand to appease the fervour of the League, making them great profers, and on the other to bring back the King of Na∣varre, representing to him that his absence from the Court would keep him from the Crown, and gave the Leagued too much confidence and advantage: but he could gain nothing neither of him nor of the Leagued. These having held a general Council of their Party at the Abby of Orcam near Noyon, refused those places of security and other great advantages he offer'd them. At their departure thence the Duke of Guise at∣taqu'd the Duke of Bouillon, and invested the City of Sedan, as being one of the principal Heads of the Huguenots, and giving the Reisters passage through his Countries. How∣ever the Queen Mother, who Negociated eternally betwixt the two Parties, procured a Truce between them, imagining that by this obligation she might incline the Duke of Bouillon to serve the King towards the Protestant Princes, and hinder their Army from entring into the Kingdom.

[Year of our Lord 1586] As for Joyeuse he could reckon amongst his Exploits nothing but five or six paltry Places; after which Winter coming on he put his Forces, half diminished by Sickness, [month October.] into quarters. Having made a pompous flourish before Thoulouze, he left the conduct to Laverdin, and came post to Court.

The Duke of Espernon was more fortunate then so. The Parliament of Aix had taken the Government of ••••ovence, and Vins having got some Forces together, offer'd him his service. He had an opposite Party, of Huguenots and Male-contents, of whom Francis d'Oraison Vicount de Cadenet, and the Baron d'Alemagne, were the Heads. Now it hapned that Vins pursuing them with too much heat, and besieging the Castle of Alemagne, was defeated by Lesdiguieres who came to their relief; which did mar∣vellously help Espernons business, and gave him so much advantage over either Party, that he became both the Arbitrator and Master, at least for that present time.

Winter approaching, he returned to the King, leaving the Command to Bernard Lord de la Valete his eldest Brother, who had it already in Daufine; where he was no less active to ruine the Party of the League, then that of the Huguenots, by turning out such Governors as either of them had placed there.

[month December.] In the Month of December the Queen Mother had a Conference with the King of Na∣varre and the Prince of Conde at St. Bris, which is within two Leagues of Cognac: She had according to her custom, carried in her Train a good number of the finest Women of her Court: but this time the Princes avoided the Nets she thought to spread for them by those alluring Charms, stood firm in maintenance of their Religion till they might have the judgment and determination of a National Council, and demanded the rupture of the League: the Q••een on the contrary declared that the Kings positive resolution was that there should be but one Religion in his Dominions.

The Guises perceived plainly that the Kings main Resolution was to ruine them, and although he did not love the Huguenots, nevertheless he would tolerate them as an indirect opposition to their progress; wherefore they caused him to be decried by their Emissaries and by their Preachers as an Abettor of Hereticks, and proclaimed every where, because he had courted the King of Navarre for an Accommodation, that he conspired with him to oppress all the good Catholicks.

The inferior People, who the more ignorant they are, the more they must be medling still with matters of Religion, grew hot enough of themselves; the Directors and Confessors animated the Citizens, who were both foolish and credulous, at their Con∣fessions, or by the Persuasions of their Wives, and entertained them with Congregati∣ons, Confraternities, Paradices and Oratories which they adorned with Plate and Jewels, Images and Agnus Dei, and with Processions which they caused to come thither from Brie, Champagne, and Picardy. These all made their entrance into Paris cloathed in white Linnen, bearing Wax Candles in their hands, from whence they called this year, The year of white Processions. [Year of our Lord 1586]

It was not so much woundred at to see the People led away thus with false and pre∣tended Devotions, as that the King authorised them by his example. He went per∣petually on Pilgrimage to divers parts of the Kingdom, walked in Procession on foot in the Streets of Paris in the habit of a Penitent, wore a String of huge Beads, or Chaplet, at his Girdle, each Bead being carved like a Deaths Head, shut himself up in certain Oratories with the Hieronimites (whom he had sent for out of Spain▪ or with the Feuillants, who were Bernadines of a new cut begun in the Abby of that name within the Diocess of Rieux in Languedoc. He built Cells for the first in the Bois de Vincennes, and lodged the others in the Fauxbourgh Saint Honore, upon one side of the Garden of the Tuilleries.

Amidst these pious Divertisements, he amused himself likewise in carving of Images, casing them, and setting them up in some Closet. He had another Pastime also, which was to buy and breed up little Dogs, such as are wont to be the vanity and delight of Ladies, in which he expended above a hundred thousand Crowns a year, and little less in Monkeys and Perroquets. There were a world of People that followed the [☜] Court with all this dainty Equipage, and himself during the last years of his life * car∣ried* 1.54 a Panier or little round Basket on a Scarf full of little Spaniels and the like Crea∣tures, which he often cherished with his Voice, and by stroaking them.

Espernon raised to the highest degree of favour, from which Joyeuse began to de∣cline, was ever pushing on the King to destroy the Guises, and they in retaliation having conspired his ruine, framed divers Projects for it. He had so much craft as to persuade the King they were all Contrivances against his Sacred Person; and by that means pre∣vailed he should ever keep above him that famous Band of Forty five * 1.55, whom he chose himself, perhaps for that very end which the event will shew us. They were all Gascons, whom the desire of making their own fortunes, had fitted for any undertaking, Lognac being their Captain. It is credible that the knowledge the Guises had of those inten∣tions, did the more engage them to that unhappy necessity of fortifying themselves against an Authority that was to be employ'd to ruine them.

[Year of our Lord 1587. January, &c.] Notwithstanding the embarras of Factions and an open War, the Court of France forbore not to pass the Winter-time merrily in Feasts and Ballets. Their greatest grief was they could not compleat one Ballet of a great invention, which the Queen Mother brought from Guyenne, because they wanted Money. The little Court of [Year of our Lord 1587] the King of Navarre, which was then at Rochel, did likewise make a great effort, and swell'd, if we may so express it, like the Frog in Esops Fable, that they might not fall short of the Kings in those sumptuous Divertisements.

During these jollities came news of the Tragical Death of Mary Steward Queen of Scotland, whom Queen Elizabeth her Cousin German, caused to be beheaded, by the common Executioner the Eighteenth of February, after she had kept her Prisoner eighteen years. The indiscretion of her Friends were no less the cause of her mis∣fortune then the horrible wickedness of her Enemies: for as the first sought with violent passion after some plausible pretence to ruine her, the other furnished them with divers, by contriving every hour some odd design, and even conspiracies a∣gainst Queen Elizabeth, so that they made her perish by their over much care and endeavours to save her.

Sentence had been pronounced against her three Months before Execution: Du∣ring which time the King omitted neither to persuade, nor to intreat Queen Elizabeth, to forbear that fatal stroke no less prejudicial to all Crowned Heads, then shameful to France, whereof Mary was Queen Dowager. The Leagued however forgot not to caluminate the King for this very business, and to accuse him of connivance with Eli∣zabeth, and at the same time made use of the horror of that Act to animate their People the more against all the Religionaries.

[month May, &c.] At the return of Spring, Joyeuse who was now become one of the hottest Heads of the League, went and made War in Poitou: He there surprised two Regiments of the Prince of Conde's in the Burrough de la Mothe Saint Herais, and after they had surrendred at discretion, cut them all off; He then took St. Maixan, and Tonnay-Charente, and that done returned to Court, that he might not wholly lose the re∣mainder of his favour.

But ill-fortune followed him close at Heels. Being in the Kings Closet, relating his brave feats of War, one of his Men came and told him the King of Navarre had defeated one part of his Army, and pursued the other as far as la Haye in Touraine. Some few days after Catharine the Wife of Henry Earl of Bouchage his Brother, who was Sister to the Duke of Espernon, sinking into the Grave under the burthen of her pious Austerities, the Husband renounced the World, and thrust himself into a Con∣vent of Capucins. The Duke was very sensibly affected with it; but that which vexed him most, was that the King redoubled the marks of his affection towards his Rival, by Marrying him to Margaret de Foix, who having some Alliance with all the Princes of Christendom, had been sought for by many. She was Daughter of that Lewis de Foix Count of Candale, slain at the Siege of Sous-Mieres, and Mary Daughter of the Constable de Montmoren••y.

[Year of our Lord 1587] Now the Protestants having held a great Assembly at Luneburgh upon the offensive Answer the King returned to their Ambassadors, were agreed to send a powerful supply to the Huguenots whose general Rendezvous was in Alsatia. Never had they taken Arms with so much heat, Mothers carried their own Sons to the Officers to be enroll'd, the Sisters sold their very Rings to fit them out, and the Country Peasants fill'd them with good cheer wherever they met them.

[month July.] Upon the general review made nigh Strasburgh, the Army was found to be twenty nine Cornets of Reisters, making six thousand Horse, five thousand Lanskneckts all Pikemen, and sixteen thousand Swiss. Four thousand were already gone into Daufine to reinforce Lesdiguieres who were all cut in pieces near Vizilles by la Valeta, d'Ornane, and Mesplez. There were besides this two thousand Foot and four thousand French Horse raised by the Duke of Bouillon, without counting two thousand Men more of the same Nation, who joyned them soon after, and eighteen hundred brought by Chastillon.

To this huge Body there wanted only a Head sufficiently authorised to conduct it, Casimir retained the general Command that he might appoint as he found fit: but not able to go in Person, placed in his stead Fabian Baron de Dona a Gentle∣man born in Prussia, and trusted the Conduct of the Lasquenets with one Doctor Scrogel. The Duke of Bouillon was Lieutenant General amongst them for the King of Navarre, Anthony de Vienne Clervaut Colonel of the Swiss, Chastillon of the French Infantry, and John de Chaumont Guitry Mareschal de Camp. Dona had a great many good qualities, but little credit with the Soldiery, Scrogel had yet less, the Duke of Bouillon not much more, as being yet so very young; the other

Captains had eternal quarrels with each other; nor did the Court omit to foment those seeds of Division, and to cast in new ones, which caused the destruction of that Body made up of such different pieces.

[month August and September.] One can hardly express those troubles the King suffer'd in his mind, upon the ap∣proach of this inundation of strangers. After he had strove in vain, to satisfy the Duke of Guise, who came to him at Meaux, he was forced in despite of his unwil∣lingness to resolve upon the War. It was named The War of the three Henries, because he, the King of Navarre, and the Duke of Guise were all of that Name. To this end he sent for all his Commpanies d'Ordonnance, who were to the number of near an hun∣dred and threescore Bands, made Levies within his own Kingdom, and without, and divided his Forces into Three Bodies. One he gave to the Duke of Montpensier, ano∣ther [Year of our Lord 1987] to the Duke of Guise, to guard the Frontiers of Champagne, and reserved the other to go in Person, and defend the passage over the Loire against the Germans.

The King of Navarre, after the first defeat of Joyeuses's Forces, was come to Montsoreau in Touraine, to receive the Count de Soissons, whom he had drawn to his side, upon the hopes of Marrying his only Sister. He had designed to have gone from thence to meet the Germans, but his Council thought it much better he should go back into Guyenne, to give order for the security of his Places, and then return, by the favour of those Provinces who were friends, and so march as far as Burgundy to receive those succors.

The Confederate Army, so were the Germans called, having cleared their passage tho∣rough the straits of the Mountains Vosge,* 1.56 which the Duke of Lorrain had encumbred, eesily entred into the Countrey: but when they were so got in, shewed their own weakness but too much, by all those rebukes they received before the meanest Castles.

The Duke of Guise shewed the like: He had vaunted, how upon the least sound of his Trumpets he would bring Threescore thousand Men under his Banner; and [month August.] yet all the Duke of Lorrain and himself could raise, (together with the help of their best friends) amounted not to Ten thousand Men: But indeed his courage supplied that defect of numbers.

When the Confederate Army had ravaged Lorrain for a Month together, after several deliberations full of confusion and tumult; they took a resolution to come and pass the Loire, without having any regard to the intreaties of the Duke of Bou∣illon, who would have employ'd them for the regaining of those Places wherewith the Duke of Guise held him as it were continually besieged. They sojourned Ten days at Bassigny, from thence advanced towards the head of the Seine, and passed it above Chastillon, and L'Yonne at Mailly: but disorder and mutinies being already crept in amongst them, they refused to pass the Loire at the Foord de Nuvy, as the King of Navarre had desired, and which would have been very easy for them, the Waters be∣ing extreamly low; They chose rather to descend into Beausse, because the Reisters might run scouring about at their pleasure, and the great abundance of Corn and Forage would afford them wherewith to refresh themselves.

[Year of our Lord 1587] It was great pity to behold France so miserably ravaged by Five or Six Armies at the same time. The Duke of Joyeus•• led one into Guyenne, the King of Navarre had ano∣ther there; Matignon a Third, Montmorency and Lesdiguieres each of them one; the first in Languedoc, and the other in Daufiné. The Prince of Conty, brother to the Count de Soissons, gathered Forces in Anjou, and the Countrey of Mayne to make up one. The King had his own, whom he went to about mid-October. It consisted of Eight thousand Horse, half French, and half Germans, Ten thousand Foot raised in the Kingdom, and Eight thousand Swiss. With these he lined the shoars of the Loire, and effectually prevented the enemies from finding such another opportunity as they had already lost, to pafs over the same.

Near Montargis they had some hint of the great Victory obtained by the King of Navarre. After that Prince was returned into Guyenne, the Duke of Joyeuse had ex∣press Order from the King to follow him close, and to hinder him from joyning his Forces together to meet the Reisters. To which purpose the King had given him a re-inforcement of Ten thousand Men, and order'd Matignon to joyn him with all those he could draw out of his Government. This Mareschal had perhaps, a desire rather to annoy, then to assist him in gaining of Honour: yet it is certain he was within two days march of him, when that young Lord, intoxicated with the praises of his Flat∣terers, and the loud boasts of his zealous Preachers, hastned to give Battle, and over∣took the King of Navarre, between the little Rivers of Drougne and l'Isle.

The two Armies drew up their Battallions in the Plain near Coutras; this was a∣bout Eight of the clock in the Morning, upon the Twentieth day of October. The shock lasted but half an hour; the Princes running speedily in upon them, rendred Joy∣euses great squadron of Lances useless, and press'd so hard upon his amazed Gents-d'Arms, that they could never come to do execution, but were soon cut in pieces. The Infantry lost their courage when their Cavalry were lost, they presently gave ground, were routed, and most of them put to the edge of the Sword, in revenge of la Mote Sainct Herais. The Duke of Joyeuse having generously taken a resolution to dye by the Cannon, fell into the hands of two Captains, who killed him in cold [Year of our Lord 1587] Blood, though they were proffer'd a Ransom of an hundred thousand Crowns. In a word, the Royalists lost Cannon, Bag and Baggage, Ensigns, almost all their Chiefs, and Five thousand Men who died upon the place; amongst whom, there were Four hundred Gentlemen and Officers. The King of Navarre had not above Five and twenty or Thirty of his Men missing. The Prince of Condé was thrown off his Horse with a rude thrust of a Lance, which did much incommode him. It was the act of the brave St. Luc, who not able to make his escape, and fearing to be roughly treated by the Prince his capital Enemy, laid him thus on the ground, and having first forc'd him to ask his life, afterwards surrendred himself prisoner.

The valour of the King of Navarre signaliz'd it self much more in this days bat∣tle, then did his Conduct in improving the advantages of it: Since very far from drawing directly towards the forreign Army, as the Prince of Condé would have had him, undertaking (if they would let him have Men) to go and seize upon the pas∣sage at Saumur: he lets his victorious Army separate, contenting himself with ta∣king an Oath of his Captains, that they should meet again the Twentieth of No∣vember, on the confines of Angoumois and Perigord, to march towards the Reisters. He only retained Five hundred Horse, and taking the Count de Soissons along with him, pierced into Gascongne, whither the violent Love he had for the fair Countess of Guiche, attracted him as it were perforce.

The news of the victory of Coutras had not those effects, or that influence as might well have been imagined, either on the Court, nor in the Confederate Army; the King shewed little sorrow, perhaps, because all that perish'd in that Fight, were of the Leaguers: He made however a magnificent Funeral for Joyeuse; and as for the Forces of the Confederate Army, they were so discourag'd by the length of their March, and for that they heard the King of Navarre had turned his back upon them, in••••ead of coming towards them, that they had little joy of the news.

Their Reistres mutined from time to time, and the Swiss, who in the beginning ap∣peared very zealous, treated an accommodation for themselves in particular, pro∣mising to retire into their own Countrey, if they would pay them Four hundred thou∣sand Crowns.

That which made them in such haste to be gone, was the defeat of the Reisters at Auneau; this is a small City in Beausse, enclosed with ill-favour'd Walls, but which hath a pretty good Castle. The Baron de Dona had lodged himself in the City, and [Year of our Lord 1587] all the rest of the Army in the adjacent Villages, but could not gain the Castle, and had satisfied himself with taking the Oath of him that was within, that he would commit no act of hostility against him. The Duke of Guise was always in the rear of this Army with Three thousand Men, having sent back the Duke of Mayenne in∣to Burgundy, and Aumale into Picardy, that they might cover the places there from any surprize of the Duke d'Espernons. The twenty fourth of November, a little af∣ter Mid-night, the Captain of the Castle gave his Foot entrance into the Town; [month November.] they presently forced the Reisters barricado's, who having only Pistols, could not defend themselves against Musquets and Pikes. There were near upon Two thou∣sand of them kill'd in the Streets, or in their Lodgments, and all their Baggage plun∣dered. Dona with as much courage as good fortune, pierced, he being the Tenth, thorough the enemies, before they had shut up the City Gates, and so saved his Person, and his Great Cornet.

This Army half defeated, and ready to be forsaken by their Swiss, pursued their march by going up the Loire. They received a second check at the Bridge of Gien; Espernons approach struck so great terror in the Lansquenets, that Five and twenty of his Arquibusiers disarmed Twelve hundred of them. The remainder kept on their march by Morvan: but they discompos'd themselves by the fatigues and difficult ways of those Countreys, so very much, that they hardly kept together in any war∣like Order. This extream misery forced them to accept of an accommodation of∣fer'd them by the King▪ Chastillon refused to be comprehended, and retiring with

an hundred and twenty Maistres, and an hundred and fifty Arquebusiers, before the Articles were Signed, got to the Vivarets, having also beaten some Troops of Man∣delots, Governor of Lyons, who would have barr'd their way to Rivirieu.

[month November and December.] The Accommodation made, the Reistres and Chiefs of the Confederate Army were splendidly regaled at Marsigny les Nonains, by the Duke of Espernon. Going from thence, they divided their Forces into two Bodies, part of them crossed the Coun∣trey of For••z, and a corner of the Duke of Savoy's territory, who allowed them passage: The others took their march by Burgundy and the Franche Comte, with such diligence, that they deceived the Marquiss du Pont, and the Duke of Guise who watched them, and got into the County of Montbeliard. Some Companies slip∣ping from thence into Lorrain, gave occasions to those two Princes to sack that Countrey most horribly, and to put above Ten thousand People to the edge of the Sword.

[Year of our Lord 1587] The Prince of Conty did with much difficulty get into the Countrey of Mayne, marching with a small Train, and his white Cornet folded up in his Valise, and lodging in Gentlemens Houses as a private Person. Clervant trudg'd away with his Swiss, and the Duke of Bouillon to Geneva; they both languished to death in a short while after; common report accused the Feast at Marsigny for it. The Count de la Mark, younger Brother to the Duke, died before in France, upon his march with the Confederates Army.

The Duke of Bouillon* 1.57 had only one Sister named Charlote, to whom he left his Estate, but he ordained by his Will, that she should not Marry without the consent of the King of Navarre, the Prince of Condé, and the Duke of Montpensier, and substi∣tuted to her, that Duke and his Son, the King of Navarre, and the Prince successively, upon condition, that neither she nor they should not innovate any thing in the Reli∣gion. He named la Noüe Executor of his Will and Testament, made him Guardian [month December.] of that Princess, and Governour of his Sovereign Teritory: But as divers weighty Reasons hindred this prudent Lord from going into that Countrey, so soon as he could have wished, the Pupil was much oppress'd, and almost ruined.

[Year of our Lord From January to the end of the year, 1588.] Although that little State were worth at that time but Forty thousand Livres Rent, nevertheless it was sought for by a great many pretenders. Robert de la Mark Ma••le∣vrier, Uncle to the Pupil, said he had a Right by a tacit Substitution in favour of Males, which he affirmed to be in that House: The King of Navarre had an interest to marry this Heyress to a Prince of his Religion: the Duke of Montpensier as the nearest Heir, would have put Garrisons into the places to secure them; and the Duke of Guise strugled to get it by force of Arms; yet notwithstanding, demanded the Heiress for his Son.

He was the most dangerous of all the Competitors: Six weeks after the death of the Duke, he attaqu'd this petty Estate, made grievous havock about Sedan, and besieged Jamets. The first three Months he did but invest it, afterwards he besieg∣ed it more closely, and then again the valour of those that defended it, enlarged that Siege to a Blockade. In fine, La Noüe being arrived in that Countrey, found it safest to surrender it upon composition, the Town only, not the Castle, which yet held out a long time, and surrendred in fine to the Duke of Lorrain: but this was not till a little before the death of King Henry.

[Year of our Lord 1587] The Catholique party chanted nothing but the praises and triumphs of the Duke of Guise, thorow out all Christendom: The Pope presented him with a Sword, gra∣ved all over with Flames, marks of his zeal and valour, and the Duke of Parma with a Suit of Armour, and this Elogy, That it belonged to none but Henry of Lorrain, to call himself Head of the League. All Paris eccho'd with the loud noise of his victory [month November and December.] over the Reisters: but amidst this popular applause, he had one mortal displeasure, that the King sought every occasion to pluck him down, and lift Espernon his Enemy to the highest pitch of Grandeur.

The Duke of Joyeuse had had the Government of Normandy, and the Admiralty; when he was slain at Coutras, the Duke of Guise pretended to have some relique of his Shipwrack, and therefore earnestly demanded the Admiralty for Brissac: But the King, after he had given him some fair hopes, invested the Duke of Espernon with that Office, and the Government of Normandy; as also that of Caen, and Havre de Grace; and likewise gave him all the spoil belonging to Bellegarde his Cousin, mortally wound∣ed at Coutras, i. e. the Government of Angoulesme, of Xaintonge, and the Countrey of Aulnis.

The Duke of Guise was more stung and pierced that the Favours were done to his Enemy, then for the denial to him. Wherefore in a great Assembly of the Princes of his House, and the Chiefs of the League whom he had summoned at Nancy, [Year of our Lord 1588. January.] upon the First day of January, of the year 1588. It was resolved, that they should make a Petition to the King, wherein amongst other Articles, "He should be sum∣moned to joyn more openly with the Holy League, to put away both from his Pre∣sence, and from all Offices and Governments, such as were enemies to the Publique,

and abettors of Heresies, which should be named to him, to cause the Council of Trent to be published; to establish the Holy Inquisition; to command the Clergy to redeem their alienated Lands; to consign such places as they should name, into the hands of certain persons, where they might build Forts; and to maintain an Army on the frontiers of Lorrain, to hinder the Germans from returning any more.

Espernon having had contest in the Council with Peter d'Espinac, Arch-Bishop of Lyons, and Villeroy Secretary of State, even to the giving them outrageous Language, made the King lose those two most important Servants, who Declared when occasion offer'd.

The League was not a little strengthned by it; as the Huguenots party was much weakned by the death of the Prince of Condé; amongst whose Virtues one cannot tell whether it were Courage, or Liberality, Generosity, or love to Justice, or Cour∣tesie [month March.] and Affability that had the preheminence. He died the Fifth of March at St. Jean d'Angeli, his ordinary Residence, being poysonn'd by his own Domestique Servants.

[Year of our Lord 1588] The Judges of the place, by an Act above their Power, and against all forms of Law, involved Charlota-Catherina de la Trimouille his Wife in this crime, and made Process against her, so far, that she had lost her life, had she not proved to be great with Child. It was of a Son, of whom she was happily deliver'd the First day of September, six Months after the death of his Father. She was afterwards still detained in the same place till King Henry IV. ordered her to appear before the Parliament of Paris who declared her innocent, and caused all those proceedings to be burnt, as being injurious, and not to leave any footsteps for slander.

It was now above a year and half since the King resolved to make an exemplary punishment of the Heads of the League, who had stirred up Seditions, and contri∣ved strange Designs, even, as he verily believed, against his own Person. They were called the Seize (i. e. the Sixteen) because they Abetted and Governed that Party [month April.] in the Sixteen Divisions, or Wards of the City of Paris. The Duke of Guise had left Forty or Fifty Gentlemen with them in his behalf, to give them Orders, and take care for their defence; and these had provided Arms, and raised Money pri∣vately, to be employ'd upon occasion. These People informed of the Kings intenti∣ons, sent to the Duke of Guise, to implore he would come to their assistance. He was then departed from Nancy, and come into Picardy, to justify his Cousin the Duke d'Aumale in that Government. For having held it by provision in the life-time of the Prince of Condé, he would not resign it after his death, whilst the Duke of Esper∣non, on whom the King had bestowed it, endeavour'd to wrest it out of his hands.

While the Duke of Guise was at Soissons, the King dispatched Believre to sound his intentions: but some important Affair having called that Minister back to the King, he went away without concluding any thing, and promised he should hear news of him within three days; and indeed he wrote twice, but sent his Letters by the Post, instead of an Express Courier, so that the Duke might plausibly pretend he did not receive them. During these transactions, the Sixteen pressing the Duke earnestly to come to their aid, because the danger was very nigh, he parts from Soissons with only [month May.] Seven Gentlemen, wisely avoids Philibert de la Guiche, Grand Master of the Ordnance, who went to seek him on behalf of the King, and arrives at Paris on Monday the Ninth of May about Noon. He alighted at the Filles Repenties, where the Queen-Mother at that time was.

She leads him immediately to the Louvre amidst the croud and acclamations of the [Year of our Lord 1588] People, who flocked about him as their Protector. The King informed of his co∣ming, deliberated, whether he should put him to death, and it was known he had re∣solved it: but whether he had not time to give his positive Orders, or whether the sight and presence of so formidable a Person, who always kept his hand upon the hilt of his Sword, and by his fiery and piercing looks, did forewarn them, that if they made the least attempt, he would fall directly upon the Author of his death, they offer'd not to touch his Person. This visit was spent in accusations and re∣proaches

on the Kings part, and in justifications, and most humble submissions on the Dukes part. In the Afternoon they had again a long Conference in the Garden of the Tuilleries, the Queen-Mother making the Third betwixt those two.

Paris was full of unknown Faces, the Streets and Houses of knots of People buz∣zing, and of confused murmurings, and hollow whispers, which betokened an ap∣proaching Tempest. Things could not rest long in such a turbulent posture: the Duke was not ignorant they bargained for his Head, and the King was told the League designed no less then to make him a Monk, and that the Dutchess of Mont∣pensier shewed the very Cizers which were prepared to shave him. This was because he had affronted that Widow, by discovering some secret defects of hers, in his Discourses. An Outrage, much more unpardonable in respect of Women, then any thing beside that can be attempted, or that can be done against their Honour.

The Tenth day of May the King therefore gave Command, all strangers should depart the City of Paris, and ordered the Houses should be searched, against which the Parisians making some resistance, he took occasion to send five or six thousand, as well French as Swiss into the City, by the Gate St. Honoré, which was opened to them by two Eschevins.

The honest Bourgeois could have been glad the King might still be Master: yet they did not approve, that to seize upon Fifteen or Twenty guilty persons, he should put the Capital of the Kingdom in danger of being plundered, or turning Rebels: and therefore they did not second this so well as they might else have done. He posted City Companies, and Companies of his Soldiers in divers places: The first did him little service, the others were beaten off, or hemm'd in by the Leaguers, who were well prepared for this Attaque. The commotion began near the Univer∣sity, thence got into the City, where about three or fourscore Swiss were knock'd on the Head; then Afternoon over all the whole Town; the Barricado's being car∣ried on from Street to Street, till they had brought them as far as the Louvre, and made the Sentinel retire.

[Year of our Lord 1588] The King and Duke did yet dissemble their game, though so apparent, and felt each others Pulses by Envoyez, who brought and carried several Propositions. If the Duke of Guise had any other design but to defend himself and his friends, it must be granted, that he wanted either Courage or Conduct; for after that part of Paris which is called the Ville had taken Wild-fire, had he follow'd his blow, he might have surrounded the Louvre, and seized on the Kings Person. But he did not press on that opportunity as he might: On the contrary, being picqued with generosity, he went to disingage the Soldiery, and sent them back disarmed to the Louvre; then some hours afterwards returned their Arms again, and entred upon Treaty with the Queen-Mother.

But the next day he was much amazed to hear, that whilst she flatter'd him with the fairest hopes, the King following her Council, or perhaps his own Fears, had made his escape in great disorder, by the new Gate to the Garden of the Tuilleries, and from thence to the Monastery of the Feuillants, where he took Horse. That night he went and lay at Trapes, near Versailles, and the next day at Chartres; his Officers followed in a great hurry: The Queen-Mother staid at Paris, not to paci∣fy those disturbances, but to keep things in such a tottering posture, that they might ever stand in need of her Mediation and Interposition.

From Chartres the King wrote to all the Cities and Governours; the Duke of Guise from Paris to his friends and partisans: The Stile of the former was languishing and fearful; on the contrary, that of the Duke of Guise and the League, Victori∣ous and triumphant. They said the day of the Barricadoes, was a day resplending with the protection of the Lord of Hosts, and conjured the other Cities to joyn with them, as Members to their Head.

To make themselves most sure of Paris, they set aside the antient Prevost des Mar∣chands, and the Eschevins, seize upon the Bastille and the Arsenal; as in the Provinces they seized on several Towns, the Duke of Aumale upon all in Picardy, excepting Boulogne, which he attempted in vain three times; the Cardinal de Guise on Reims and Chaalons, as their friends would have made themselves Masters of the greater part of those in Normandy, if the Duke of Montpensier, who was gone to take possessi∣on of that Government, had not prevented them.

The Queen-Mother ceased not to Treat with the Duke of Guise, to which end she made use of the Dutchess of Montpensier, whom she cajoled with the hopes of Marrying the old Cardinal de Bourbon. These two joyning together, perswaded the Duke of Guise to reconcile himself to the King; and for this purpose, obliged

the Leaguers, after they had made Processions to appease the wrath of God, to go in the Habits of Penitents to Chartres to crave pardon of the King. They were con∣ducted [Year of our Lord 1588] thither by Henry de Joyeuse, who was called Father Angel, representing our Lord at his going to Mount Calvary, with all the Trinkets, and Persons they em∣ploy'd in those days, to act the History of the Passion. Thus travested, they went to seek the King, who was then at Church, and coming before him, cast themselves upon their knees, and with a loud voice cried out for Mercy.

For the same end the Parliament sent their Deputies some few days after, to let him know they were most sensibly afflicted and concern'd to find he had forsaken his Louvre, and to beseech him to return, and avert his just vengeance from falling on the Heads of his Subjects. He answered to the First, that if he designed to ruine the Parisians, as they would have made the People believe, it was in his power to reduce them to ashes; and to the Latter; that he would Treat the Inhabitants of Paris, as Children that had offended their Father, not as Slaves.

After Dinner, having sent again for the Latter, he charged them to threaten the Parisians, that he would take away their Sovereign Courts, if they persisted in their Factious humour. Then three days afterwards he sent a Master of Requests to the Parliament, to assure them he was resolved to assemble the Estates-General before the expiration of the year; that he would carefully endeavour the Reformation of his Kingdom, and assure them of a Catholique Successor.

It is not certainly known what motive obliged him to engage so far; but the Duke of Guise judg'd it fit to press him upon that point. He therefore caused a Pe∣tition to be presented to him in the name of the Princes, of the City of Paris, and of all the good Catholiques, who did beseech him, to send for that purpose the Duke of Mayenne into Daufiné with one Army, and to march himself into Guyenne with an∣other, leaving the Command of Paris to the Queen-Mother; to forget the Barrica∣does, and other irregularities; to confirm the Election of the Prevost des Marchands, and the Eschevins; and above all, to put away the Duke of Espernon, and la Valete his Brother, who countenanced the Heretiques.

Those enemies Espernon had in the Kings Council, greedily embraced this occasi∣on to annoy him; the Queen-Mother clubs with them, and all together, made such an impression on the King, that he sent him word, He must stay a while away, and not come near him or the Court. The Duke did not take himself to be out of Fa∣vour for all this: He came to wait upon him at his return out of Normandy; the King would not admit him to the Council, but Commanded him to retire to his Go∣vernment of Angoumois. Before he departed, he surrendred up that of Normandy, [Year of our Lord 1588] and indeed he could not have held it: the King bestow'd it upon the Duke of Mont∣pensier.

One would have thought his absence might have calmed the Tempest. In effect, the King shewed himself more willing to come to an accommodation, but this appeared to be only a design to get some places out of the hands of the League, especially Havre and Orleans. It was upon the score of Havre that he went to Roüen, but Villars, who held it, a haughty Man, and who had engaged his Word to the Duke of Guise, soon cut off all his hopes of gaining it. As for Orleans, Entragues who was Governour thereof, did not positively deny to give Obedience to the Orders brought him by Schomberg, to render it to the King. The Duke of Guise was then just on the point of concluding his Treaty with the King; when he heard they were dealing with En∣tragues, he made great instance that City should be one amongst the rest which he de∣manded for security. The King resisted a long time upon this particular, at last he was forced to condescend to it: but afterwards, by a subtilty more ingenious then becoming a great Prince, he said they had mistaken in transcribing the Order from the Secretary; and that it was there the City of Dourlans, not Orleans: and this contest was one of the main subjects which led him to the greatest extremities, against the Duke of Guise.

[month July.] However upon this foot was the Treaty made of the Month of July, which be∣sides that City, granted to the Princes of the League, Bourges, Dourlens, and Mon∣streüil, withal, left in their keeping for Four years, those places that had been given them by the Treaty of Nemours: permitted those others who had declared for them, to remain in the same condition they were in: Continued their Prevost and Eschevins des Marchands at Paris for two years more, and allowed them many other things of good advantage.

At the same time appeared at Sea, that formidable Armado of Philip of Spain, which he set forth for the Conquest of England. They had been seven years about preparing and equipping it, and every year he laid out above a Million of Gold for the expences. The King apprehending that the Leaguers, if he ran them into de∣spair, might get them to land upon the coasts of France, durst no longer deny those things they ask'd of him. He gave them that Edict which bare the specious name of [Year of our Lord 1588] Re-Ʋnion. By which renewing his Coronation Oath, he swear to root out all Schisms and Heresies, and never make any Peace or Edict in favour of the Huguenots; or∣dained likewise all his Subjects of what quality soever, to swear the same; and that his death hapning, they should acknowledge no Prince for their King, who was an Heretique, or abettor of Heresie; Declared Rebels, and Criminals de Lesae Ma∣jestatis, those who refused to Sign this Edict, and approved all that had been done the 12th. and 13th.* 1.58 of May, and since, as well at Paris, as in other Cities, as being done out of pure Zeal for the Catholique Religion.

He swear this Edict with an appearance of great joy; all those that were of his Council, and of his Court, did the same thing, excepting the Duke of Nevers, who refused the Oath three or four times, till the King enjoyned him to it upon pain of disobedience. The Parliament did forthwith Register and make publication of it, and all the great Cities received it. This done, the King returned to Chartres, to∣wards the end of the Month, and the Queen brought thither the Duke of Guise, and presented him to the King. There appeared in their countenances, and in their dis∣course, and in either of their proceedings, so many marks of Confidence, and a cor∣dial Affection, that the whole Court was overjoy'd at this reconciliation, and the most cautelous believed it might be unfeigned.

At this time the King of Navarre was returned from Bearn to Rochell, and sought to gain the favour of that City: where indeed he had no very great credit, during the life of the Prince of Condé. Lesdiguieres was buisy in Danfiné, curbing the Cities of Gap and Grenoble with Ports; he mated Grenoble so effectually, that they demanded a Truce for six Months. He and Montmorency had also besieged the Pont Sainct Esprit, when the Edict of Re-Union was brought to him. It made the Mareschal put up his Sword, but hastned la Valete to make a League Offensive and Defensive with Les∣diguieres.

There was nothing in Daufiné that made head against the last, but only Charles de Simiane d'Albigny: nor did he spare any thing to gain his amity, he offer'd to give him his Daughter in Marriage, to share his Authority between them, and to leave it solely to him at his death. These advantageous proffers had less power and influence over the Spirit of Albigny, then that zeal he was confirmed in for the Re∣ligion of his Ancestors: he ever constantly resisted him, but not with so much suc∣cess as courage.

[month September and October.] The Provenceaux in the mean time were risen up against Valete; the Kings private Orders, the Parliaments hatred to the Duke of Espernon, and the ambition of Vins, who pretended to that Government, did but too much animate those Spirits, whose Blood is soon heated, and easily incited to a commotion. The supplies which came to him from Daufiné, did but little service, when the Parliament had once set him beside the Government; most of the Gentry, and all the Cities abandon'd him, ex∣cepting four or five petty places, which he maintained till the death of the Duke of [Year of our Lord 1588] Guise, when the face of Affairs were changed by the Kings changing of his mind.

[month August.] In the precedent Month of August, the Duke of Espernon saw himself in most dread∣ful danger: his kind fortune and great courage drew him out of it. Having staid some days in the Castle of Loches, after his leaving the Court, before he resolved to go to Angoulesme, the Mayor of the Town had order from the King to oppose his entrance; and not able to do so, because Espernon had prevented the Courier, he undertook to seize him in the Castle* 1.59 or the Kings House where he lodged. He entred there∣fore with Ten Men well armed, under colour of bringing a Courier to him: but run∣ning rashly into the Wardrobe, instead of going directly to his Closet, he mist his prey, and perish'd with his Brother-in-law, who crept in thorow a hole to come to his aid. The other Conspirators and their friends, who had taken Arms in the City, apprehending to be over-born by the Soldiers, who came thundring in to the Dukes assistance, and the Duke to be starved to death: having not eaten in Thirty hours, this fear and that necessity made an accommodation between them, and obliged them to stand to it.

Villeroy was taxed, as having abused, or contrived Letters under the Signet to de∣stroy Espernon; but the King clearly owned the business. He was grown so peevish, that towards the end of the same Month he dismiss'd the Chancellor de Chiverny, Villeroy, and Pinard, Secretaries of State; and Pompone de Bellievre, Sur-Intendant des Finances. At the same time he heaped Favours upon the Leaguers; for he put the Seals into the hands of Francis de Montolon, Advocate in Parliament, whom they revered, because of his servent zeal for the Catholique Religion. He also declared the Cardinal de Bourbon the nearest of kin to his Blood; In effect he was so, but not the fittest to succeed; and he permitted the Clergy to furnish Five hundred thousand Crowns towards the expences of the War. Now that the said Body Ec∣clesiastical might raise it, without alienating their Fund, he consented to the erecti∣on of an alternate Receiver, and two Comptrollers of the Tenths, hereditary in each Diocess.

This Fund was ordained for the maintenance of two Armies which he had rais∣ed. He gave the one to the Duke of Mayenne, and the other to the Duke of Nevers: but this was upon the refusal of the Duke of Guise, who by advice of the Arch-Bishop of Lyons, resolved to remain at Court, and got a constant and certain Fund setled to keep his Table of Grand Maistre.

[month July and August.] The event made it appear, that this resolution was not prudent; for the beams of his power shining perpetually so bright in the Kings Eyes, awakened his resent∣ments, which perhaps might else by little and little, have been extinguished, and laid to sleep in the shades of oblivion. He was offended that the Pope should in a Letter call the Duke, and the Cardinal de Bourbon Machabéans, and say they had sa∣ved the people of Israel. Besides this, the Duke of Nevers, and Lognac, Captain of [Year of our Lord 1588] the Forty-five, did perpetually stir up his indignation: The Duke of Nevers, because he irreconcileably hated the Duke of Guise, and Lognac, because having in some manner succeeded to the Kings favour after Espernon, as Second with Bellegarde, Co∣sin-Germain to that Duke, well knew that the House of Guise, always enemies to the Favorites, would not suffer him long in that post.

They labour'd on both sides to gain the Deputies for the Estates. The over-con∣fidence of the League was a little humbled by the defeat of Philips Armado, which [month August.] equally threatned both France and England. That Invincible Fleet, so they called it, after it had been tossed, beaten, scatter'd every where by continual tempests, and then by the English and Hollanders, having lost near Ten thousand Men, and above Threescore Ships; had much ado, torn and shatter'd as it was, to recover the Ports of Spain. The King was at Chartres when he received the news of it; and it was this perhaps which emboldned him to go to Blois, where his presence was necessary, to see and take notice of the Deputies, as they repaired thither.

[month September.] The Fifteenth of September being come, but very few of the Deputies, the Assem∣bly was put off till October, and the first Session was open'd on a Sunday the Sixteenth [month October.] of that Month. The Clergy had an hundred thirty four Deputies there, amongst whom appeared Four Arch-Bishops, Bishops One and twenty, and Two Chiefs of Orders, attired in their Rochets and Surplices; The Nobility had an hundred and Fourscore in Velvet Gowns, and Caps; The Third Estate, an hundred ninety one, part of them Lawyers, part of them Trading People, the First with Gowns and square Caps, the others with short Cloaks and round Bonnets.

Before the opening of this Assembly, the King knew by the tenor of their Pa∣pers or Instructions, that there was a party made to diminish his Authority, and augment that of the Estates; wherefore he gave notice in his Harangue, otherwise very eloquent, and very pathetique, of his resentment against the Duke of Guise; for which that Prince made such violent complaint to him, by the mouth of the Arch-Bishop of Lyons, that he was obliged when he gave it to be Printed, to retrench, and alter many things, which were but the deeper imprinted in his Heart.

At the Second Session which was the following Tuesday, he swore to the Edict of Re-Union, and ordained, that it should be observed for a Fundamental Law of the State, and would have the Three Orders swear to it with one voice; the Clergy lay∣ing their hands upon their Breasts, as the others hold theirs aloft. This done, he protested he would forget all that was past, and charged the Prevost des Marchands [Year of our Lord 1588] to assure the City of Paris of it.

[month October.] Who can resolve whether these words were a sincere Truth, or a profound dissi∣mulation; [month November.] if his Soul were then such as he professed, it did not hold long so. He look'd upon the Duke of Guise as a dangerous Rival, all whose actions seemed by his interpretation, to tend to the ruine of his Authority; he was netled that they should

force him to swear to the Edict, that the League had constrained the Count de Soissons (for he had quitted the King of Navarre) to take Absolution of the Pope, notwith∣standing they made all their effort, though in vain to hinder his Holiness from grant∣ing it, and that when the said Count had brought his Letters of Pardon to the Par∣liament, a Taylor with a Crew of the most hot-headed Leaguers, went to the Palais and so frighted the Counsellors, that they durst not proceed to verisie it.

He was yet more stung and offended for that the Estates made great Complaints against the Government, demanded the suppression of new Offices, an abatement of the Tailles and Imposts, the punishment of Financiers and Favourites, and used all manner of practises to moderate and clip the Soveraign Power, and set up the Laws. Which did not only proceed from the Factions of the League, but also the unanimous desire of the People, who imagining the King would ere long lose either his Life or Sences, (for Miron his chief Physician had imprudently said that the one or the other would come to pass within a twelvemonth) thought it now necessary to make so strong and high a fence against him that should next succeed to the Crown, that he might never be able to force the same, nor bring such heavy Oppressions upon the Subjects as France had groaned under ever since the Reign of Francis I.

The Huguenots prompted by the same Spirit, endeavour'd likewise to restrain the Power of the King of Navarre in an Assembly he had Convocated at Rochel. For apprehending he might change his Religion, they demanded Protectors in each Pro∣vince, and Chambers or Courts of Justice to hear their Complaints, and do them Right. He had much ado to avoid the first, and hinder them from making choice of Prince Casimir for their Protector General: but as to the second he was forced to grant it, and set up of those Chambers in five or six Cities; However he revoked them two years after when he came to the Crown.

The Duke of Mayennes Army made little progress in Dausine, because he staid at Lyons to decide some Controversies there were for the Government of the City, between Mandelot and the Son of Villeroy; they spent all their Fire against the Fort of Oysans which Lesdiguieres had built in their way: this scurvy Redout resisted thirty days before they would capitulate. In like manner that under the Duke of Nevers in Poiton was consumed in taking some small places of no importance. They lay before la Ganache, when they received the news of the Duke of Guises death.

[Year of our Lord 1588] The King thought himself daily wounded by fresh and more hainous offences: their vehement urging him to receive the Council of Trent did greatly distaste and per∣plex him: the demand of the Estates that their Instructions or Memorials should be conclusive, appeared yet ruder to him; but he took the Deputation they made to oblige him expressly to declare the King of Navarre incapable of succeeding to the Crown, to be altogether insupportable.

During these times the Duke of Savoy, a Man of high courage, and a genius much greater then his State, did not forget to do his own business. Believing the Kingdom of France was going to be dismembred, he thought he had more right then any one else to get his share, as being almost the only Male Prince, though by the Female side, that was then remaining of the Blood of the great King Francis, and withall having some pretensions upon the Marquisate of Salusses and other Lands on this side the Alpes. However he would not varnish his design with that pretence, but rather chose the fair Masque of Religion: In effect Lesdiguieres being very powerful having taken Chasteau-Daufin, and being leagued with la Valete who had the Government of Salusses, there was some danger lest Calvinisme might from thence step into his Countries, and become the most prevalent under favour of so pernicious a Neighbourhood.

The Duke Armed therefore, feigning he designed against Montferrat; and la Valete being so embarrassed in Provence that he could do nothing on this side, he seized about the end of September upon the City of Carmagnoles, and invested the Castle. The Lieutenant surrendred it in few days after; Salusses, Cental, and all the other small [month September, and October.] places of the Marquisate, made but very little or no defence, excepting Ravel. The Joss was very great to France, as well because there was in Carmagnoles an inestimable Magazin of all sorts of Arms, and four hundred pieces of Cannon, as because that Country was the only passage the French had left them to get into Italy.

Now as in all misfortunes we still lay the blame on them we most hate, the King failed not to accuse the Duke of Guise for this, though he appeared to be altogether innocent: for he was so far from corresponding with the Duke of Savoy, at least at this very time, that he was at great variance with him. Therefore he profer'd to pass

the Alpes and tear this Usurpation again out of his hands, and engaged the Estates to declare a War against him.

[Year of our Lord 1588] In the mean time the King tired with the difficulties and troubles that started up every day, and which he believed were created by that Duke, was often transported [month November, and December.] to passion, and had thoughts of the extreamest revenge, but when those fits were over, fell into great astonishments, and unexpressible thoughts of despair. Nay sometimes he took so much disgust at the burthen of Government that he would needs ease himself, and lay the whole weight thereof upon the Queen Mother; and during these intervals, or weakness of Spirit, he seem'd to have an entire confidence in the Duke of Guise, even so far, as to seal the same with a solemn Oath upon the sacred Mistery of the Altar, both having communicated, as it was said, at the same Table, either of them taking one half of the same consecrated Wafer. But immediately after, the remembrance of things past, the fear of what was to come, and the never∣ceasing reports of the Quarente-cinq * 1.60, who craftily intermixed calumnies with truths, bad him repent his weakness, gave him new fire to his indignation, and made him once for all determine to put him to death.

Those of his Council and amongst his Servants who had any sence of honour and [month December.] generosity, were of opinion he should act King-like, and rid his hands of him by ways that were both just and irreprochable. The Mareschal d'Aumont would have him brought to Trial, and forfeit his Head if he deserv'd it; Grillon Mestre de Camp of the Regiment of Guards refused to assassinate him, but offer'd to make him draw his Sword, assuring the King he would kill him or forfeit his own Life.

The contrary advice notwithstanding took most with the King; and this not so much for any strength of reason as the present disposition and humour he then was in which this exactly suited. For we must know that during any great Frosts, such as were at this very time and had lasted above three weeks, he was hugely tormented with vapours from the Spleen, which rendred him extream chagrin and severe. Those that were well acquainted knew it very dangerous to offer to disturb him at such Seasons; and it is held, that Chiverny and Miron had often hinted to the Duke, that if he plaid his Game with him whilst he was invaded with those black and pricking fumes, he would certainly repent it.

This resolution could not be kept so private but it was known to many Persons; the Duke had notice from above a hundred by word of Mouth and Writing; they quoted even the very particular circumstances, and all his Friends press'd him to retire, the Archbishop of Lyons, only, was of a contrary sentiment and prevailed above all the rest. He made him believe that all those reports and the notices given him came from the King to fright him away, so to ruine his Reputation, and after∣wards make his Process in his absence. This Prelat was since reproached that he had thus exposed the life of his Friend, only out of fear lest if he left the Court, the King would have hindred his promotion to the Cardinal-ship, which he hoped would be done at Rome after St. Lucies-day.

[Year of our Lord 1588] The Duke was so imprudent as to lodge within the Castle, and thereby exposed [month December.] himself to the mercy of his Enemies, and was deprived of the assistance of above five hundred Gentlemen, and a thousand other Persons who were his Friends that quarter'd about the Town. The better to draw him in, the King pretended he must dispatch several weighty Affairs before the Christmas Holidays, and gave order all the Council should come thither early the next Morning being the Three and twen∣tieth of December. The Council sat in a Hall of the Castle near the Kings Cham∣ber, who had his Apartment in the second Story, the Queen Mother making use of the first.

The King had caused little Cells to be built upon one side of his Chamber, in those he placed his Quarente-Cinq* 1.61 about four hours after mid-night, leading them thi∣ther himself with a small Wax light. In the morning about Eight of the Clock, the Duke being come to the Council-Hall with the Cardinal his Brother, the Arch∣bishop of Lyons, and some others, the King sends for him to come speak with him in his Chamber; Nine of those Forty-five who were placed at the entrance of the passage, fall upon him, some catch him by the Collar, others hold him by the Arms and Legs, give him twelve or fifteen stabs with their Daggers, he shakes them, drags them along, and used all the efforts of an invincible despair, till being thrust into the Reins with a Sword, he falls down at whole length with these words, Ab! thou Traytor!

Immediately the Mareschal d'Aumont seizes the Cardinal and the Archbishop in the Council Hall, and shuts them up in a Garret; others in divers places lay hold on the old Cardinal de Bourbon, the Dutchess of Nemours, the Prince de Joinville, the Dukes of Nemours and Elboeuf, de Hautefort, St. Agnan, Bois-Daufin, Brissac, la Bourdaisiere and Picard the Dukes Secretary. At the same instant almost Richelieu Grand Prevost de l'Hostel enters the Council Hall, bawling out they would have murther'd the King, and lays hands on the President de Nully, la Chappelle Morteau Prevost des Merchands, two ••sehevins of Paris, and Vincent le Roy Lieutenant Civil of the City of Amiens. The rest ran forth in great confusion. Some made a shift to get to Orleans; such as could not make their escape, because the Gates were strongly guarded, were forced stay behind, and cover their apprehensions with a seeming joy.

Those that had slain the Duke, dreading lest the Cardinal should another day de∣mand satisfaction for his Blood, sollicited the King with so much vehemence that he consented likewise to his death. Two things amongst the rest moved him to deter∣mine it, the one was they reported he spit forth all the injurious language, reproaches and imprecations that a despairing fury and rage could possibly express; the other was that having found the Popes Legat easily inclined to allow of his justificatio ntouch∣ing the death of the Duke, he imagined it would be no hard task to obtain his remission for the Murther of the Cardinal. Du Guast a Captain in the Regiment of Guards, provided four Soldiers for this execution, each of them being promised an hundred [Year of our Lord 1588] Crowns. The Cardinal therefore being called for by the King, these Murtherers, who waited his coming thorough a Gallery slew him with their Halberts.

Richelieu caused the Bodies of these two Brothers to be burnt, and their Ashes to be scatter'd in the Air lest the People should make Reliques of them. Pericard re∣dcemed his life and liberty at the price of all his Masters secrets: but neither threats nor caresses could extort the least sillable from the Archbishop that might stain the memory of his Friend; and yet the King, either because his fury was spent, or be∣cause he had formerly loved him; would not have them take away his Life.

Few People boasted of having a hand in this action, either out of shame, or for sear of a future revenge. It will not be amiss to observe two things; the one, that such as had the greatest obligation to the House of Guise, were the main Instruments of their destruction, the other that these Princes were drawn into the snare under the publick faith, and by the like most subtile and artificial dissimulations, as they had joyned in to decoy those of the House of Bourbon and the Admiral de Coliguy, at the Massacre in the year 1572.

Such as were most clear-sighted did from that very time judge this must be attended with terrible Consequences: the King himself began to perceive it, when after the Murther of the Duke of Guise going to the Queen Mother to let her know what had past, saying to her, Madam, now I am King indeed, she asked him whether he had taken order to secure Paris, and hinder the People from rising in all parts of the King∣dom, and made him sensible as well by her countenance as her discourse, that he was not yet in the condition he thought himself. And then again when he found the Legat, [month December.] who though not much mov'd at the death of the Duke of Guise, came now and de∣clared he had incurr'd Excommunicatio Majorem for that of the Cardinal: but much more yet when he came to know that not one of those Orders he had sent abroad had succeeded, they not being able to seize upon any one of the Heads of the League.

For the Duke of Mercoeur who was at Nantes, had diligent notice given him by the Queen Louisa his Sister, and prevented their taking of him. Likewise the Duke of Mayenne received a Courier at Lyons sent him by Roissieux a Gentleman belonging to his Brother, and not finding the People of that Town in a disposition to pro∣tect him amongst them, he went to Chaalon in Burgundy, made himself Master of the Citadel, and from thence hastned to secure Dijon. The same Roissieux made them of Orleans take up Arms who besieged Entragues their Governor in his Redoubt at the Gate Baniere.

The Sixteen, having kept the news private till they were secured of the Gates of Paris, held an Assembly in the Town-Hall, where they chose the Duke of Aumale to be their Governor. For the first two or three days being yet uncertain of the events, they put this colour upon their Revolt, that it was to maintain themselves in perfect unity against all such attempts as might be made in prejudice to their liberties, and the Catholick Religion; but when they heard and found Orleans had declared, and [Year of our Lord 1588] the Duke of Mayenne in Burgundy, they were no longer afraid to withdraw themselves from the Kings obedience, whom they now called only Henry de Valois.

[Year of our Lord 1589] With this beginning of new Troubles ended the year 1588. which the Prognosti∣cators [month January.] had predicted would be satal to all great Empires. It would be prudence to bury in forgetfulness the furious heats of the Parisians against the King, the decla∣mations of the Pulpiteers, the lewd Songs, the infamous Discourses, the bloody Sa∣tyrs, wherewith they mangled his Reputation, and I might omit, were it not too great an injury and breach in History, what the Faculty in Divinity, esteemed the leading one of all Christendom, asserted, upon a Consultation held with them, That the French were discharged of all Oaths of Fidelity and their Duty of Obedience towards Henry de Valois, and that they might with a safe Conscience take up Arms against him, which drew somewhat after it of a most terrible Consequence.

The first President Achilles de Harlay and many more of the Parliament directly opposed these Phrensies, and endeavoured to moderate their overheated Spirits. Bussy le Clere otherwhile a Fencer, and then a Procureur in Parliament, had the con∣fidence to come into the Grand Chamber, and cause a List to be read over of such as he said he had Order to Arrest. When they had named the first President, and ten or twelve others, all the rest of the Company rose up and followed them most gene∣rously to the Bastille, marching by two and two along the Streets to move the People to compassion. In effect they were ready to run to their Arms, but their Preachers hindred it, by giving them to understand that all this was done for the maintenance of Religion and the publick safety. Bussy kept those he had a mind to in the Bastille, as the first President, and some others.

The same day he seized upon many more in their Houses, as well such as belonged to the same Company as to the Chambre des Comptes and the Cour des Aides: but most of them got out again the same day or soon after, having given their Oathsagainst the King. Some realy changed Parties, others dissembled till occasion presented to evade, but many believed that they should be better able to serve their Country by returning to their places in the Parliament. Of those was Barnabe Brisson who sup∣plied the Office of first President, and the next day held Audience with Doors wide open, having made his protestation before a Notary, that he did it by compulsion to save his own life and all his Families. The League likewise changed the whole Bar as they pleased; Molle was chosen Sollicitor General because the People earnestly de∣manded it for the reputation of his great Probity.

[Year of our Lord 1589] When the League had thus reformed the Parliament, the first Act they demanded [month January.] of them, was a Declaration to be sworn to by the Princes, Cities, and Commonalties of the Kingdom, united with the three Estates for the preservation of Religion and publick security. These three Estates were but the Seize, and the Deputies of five or six Cities of that Party, out of whom they had chosen a Council of Forty Per∣sons. They afterwards obliged them to receive the Petition of Catharine de Cleves, Widow of the Duke of Guise, who desired leave to take information concerning the death of her Husband, and Commissioners to make Process against such as should be Convicted. The Parliaments, the Chambers Assembled, having heard the Sollicitor General's motion admitted and granted her Petition, and named two Counsellors to manage and carry on the said Process.

The King, against all these attempts, opposed nothing but a little Parchment and Wax, multitudes of Letters which he sent every way, and several Declarations, at first very soft and gentle, then somewhat more vigorous; One amongst others which commanded the Duke of Aumale to go out of Paris, interdicted the Parliament, and all other the Kings Judges to exercise any Jurisdiction; then another which de∣clared the Dukes of Mayenne and Aumale, and all the revolted Cities, guilty of the Crime de Lesae Majestatis in the highest degree, and deprived them of all Offices, Ho∣nours, and Priviledges; In pursuance whereof he made an Edict which transferr'd the Parliament and the Chambre des Comptes to Tours, as he afterwards did that of Rouen to Caen, and the University and the Presidial of Orleans to Beaugency.

It was thought that if he had but mounted on Horseback and appeared at the Gates of Orleans or Paris, who lead the dance to all other Tumults, he had stifled them with ease: but he was grown so effeminate thorough idleness that he could nei∣ther perform any thing with vigor, nor keep himself any competent time steady to the same resolution. He stirred not from Blois, but continued the Estates there, whom he persuaded himself would suddenly find out some remedy for all the grie∣vances and troubles in the Kingdom.

In the mean while the Leaguers and Friends of the deceased Duke, drew after them almost all the People of the whole Nation, already too much prepossessed with ill∣favour'd sentiments against him. Even those very Persons who ever had abhorr'd

Faction and Rebellion, finding he had caused a Cardinal to be Massacred, imagined he struck at the Catholick Religion it self, the manner and circumstances of those Murthers gave a horror to all the World; even the King of Navarre, though [Year of our Lord 1589] it were realy very advantageous to him, could not find in his heart to rejoyce, and [month January.] le Plessis Mornay hindred the Rochellers from any publick Expressions of it, for fear they might be reproached for approving that ambiguous act by any solemnity.

It could never be certainly known whether the Queen Mother had any hand in it, there being only conjectures both for and against it: but it is certain the King did never afterwards communicate any affairs to her. So that thinking Life a burthen without any Authority or Power, being overwhelmed with Age, for she was Seventy and two years old, but much more with trouble and sorrow to see that fate, maugre all the obstructions she had contrived, brought her greatest Enemy so near the Crown; and withal being pierced to the heart that the Cardinal de Bourbon, when she would needs visit him upon his Bed of Sickness and languishment, cast that bloody reproach in her teeth, Ah, Madam, is it thus you have brought us all to the Butchery: she fell sick and died of it the Fifth of January. Her death was esteemed a thing very indifferent, causing neither joy, nor sorrow; and her memory would have vanisht with her breath after all the noise and stirs she had made for thirty years together, had she not brought down too many curses upon France to be so soon forgotten.

A second time the King made the Estates swear to the Edict of Union, to shew he was a Zealous Catholick. After this they presented their Papers to him, which he began to examine for some days. The Fifteenth and Sixteenth of the Month he heard their Harangues: which were full of fine words, sound Reasons, wise Expe∣dients, but their Tongues and Hearts were very far asunder, so that it was nothing but a Scene where each one acted a part quite different from what he was indeed.

Now they sending him notice from all parts of new Commotions, and finding most of the Deputies retired without taking leave, he dismiss'd them all, upon the Twen∣tieth day of the Month; and that they might carry with them into the Provinces some Marks of his Bounty, to the Nobility he gave Brissac and Bois-Daufin their li∣berty, and to the Third Estate that of three or four Deputies whom Richelieu had seized on. But all of them made him an ill requital, reserving only the injury in memory, but not the favour and pardon. Moreover he granted and caused several Articles of their Instructions or Memorials to be proclaimed, amongst others an abatement of the fourth part of their Tailles; of which in truth there was above a third part of non-value, and never could be raised.

From Blois he caused all his Prisoners to be transfer'd to the Castle of Amboise: but the Duke of Nemours, of a bold and active Spirit, found the invention to escape disguised like a Kitchin Scullion, and got to Paris without stop or stay. The last day of the Month he had news that the Citadel of Orleans had surrendred to the Bourgeois. He had hoped that the Duke of Nevers whom he recalled from Poitou, would have relieved it: but after the taking of la Ganache, his Forces being all [Year of our Lord 1589] Leaguers, either dispersed or went over to his Enemies. [month Januaay.]

He heard almost at the same time that Paris had drawn in all the Towns and Pas∣sages round about them, excepting Melun; That Dreux, Crespy in Valois, Senlis, Clermont in Beauvoisis, Pont Saincte Maixence, Amiens, Abbeville, Rouen, and all those of Normandy, excepting the Pont de L'Arche, Diepe, and Caen, had set up the Colours of the League; That Bois-Daufin had stirred up all the Country of Mans; That the Duke of Mayenne was Master of all Burgundy, excepting Semur and Flavigny; That Lyons had cast their Rider and chose for Governor the Duke of Genevois; so they called the Duke of Nemours.

As to Bretagne, the Duke of Mercoeur did not make them move as yet, because the King his Brother in Law amused him with the hopes of giving him that Dutchy after his death. Stephen Duranti First President of Toulouze, and James Dafis Attorney General, contained that City near a Month: but at last Ʋrban de Sainct Gelais Lansac Bishop of Cominges, a Man equally ambitious and violent, made it revolt, and put the Populace into such a fury that they inhumanely massacred those two Ma∣gistrates, dragg'd their dead Bodies thorough the Streets with the Kings Effigies, and hanged them on the Gallows.

The Parisians, and the Dutchess of Montpensier, who could not well agree with the Duke of Aumale, invited the Duke of Mayenne to Paris: as soon as he had setled Burgundy in good order, he begins his Journey thither to satisfie them. All Cham∣pagne was of his Party, but only Chaalons, for the Inhabitants having received infor∣mation of the death of Guise before the Governor had any notice, which was Rosne,

assembled together and turned him out. From thence he went to Sens where his pre∣sence was requisite to fortisie his Friends, then to Orleans, where he found the Ci∣tadel surrendred to his Party, afterwards to Chartres, who received him with ex∣traordinary [month February.] joy, and lastly to Paris, where he arrived the Tenth day of February.

That vast number of People were yet so furiously enchanted with the memory of the Duke of Guise, that they would needs bestow the Title of King upon this Bro∣ther, but he did not find himself sufficiently bottom'd to accept of so high a Dignity. He consider'd that besides the divisions it would necessarily have begot betwixt him and the other Chiefs, who were content to be his Companions, but not his Subjects, the Spirits of the Authors of that grand Revolution, tended rather to establish a Democracy then a Monarchy. Wherefore he presently labour'd to diminish their Power: encreased the Council of Forty, with fourteen more wholly at his own devo∣tion, and admitted not only all the Princes of the League, but likewise the Presidents, the Kings Attorneys and Sollicitors in Parliament, the Prevost des Merchands and Eschevins, that he might carry things by Multitude upon occasion. Then not able to endure this curb by any means breaks it quite the following year when he was going to give the Battle of Yury.

[Year of our Lord 1589] Notwithstanding, it was that Council had confer'd upon him the command of [month March.] the Armies, and the Quality of Lieutenant General of the State and Crown of France: but he gave them little thanks for it, because they limited his Power to the meeting of the General Estates which was to be upon the Fifteenth of July. His Commission was verified in Parliament the Seventh of March, and he took the Oath before the President de Brisson. They caused new Seals to be made, a great one for Council Af∣fairs, and a little one for the Chanceries and Parliaments; either of them had on one side the Flower-de-Luce, as was usual, but on the other an Empty Throne, with these words about it, The Seal of the Kingdom of France.

Now to make a real Union of this Party, as they had the name, and to link all the Cities to them that had declar'd already and intended to declare, he made an excel∣lent Reglement, which being sent into the Provinces, brought others into him. E∣specially Laon, where John Bodin the Kings Attorney in that Court, prevailed so by his Interest and Eloquence that it was accepted, having made it clear that the joyning of so many Cities ought not to be called Rebellion, but Revolution, that this was a just one against an Hypocrite and Tyrant King, that Heaven it self seemed to autho∣rize it, because States have their periods as well as Men, and the Reign of Henry III. ought to be the Climacterical to France, he being the LXI. King since Pharaemond, who, according to the Vulgar Account, was the first King of the French.

To this pretended Order, succeeded a general Disorder, an universal Robbery thorough the whole Kingdom, seizures of Goods, sales by outcry, Imprisonments, [ ✚.] Ransoms, and Reprizals. The Offices, Benesices, and Governments, were divided into two or three, private Families were even divided within themselves, the Father bandying against the Sons, Brothers against Brothers, Nephews against their Uncles. Nothing was to be gained but by those that had nothing to lose; those that had wherewithal were obliged to spend it, but the Thieves gained on both hands. They nestled themselves in old Castles, or in small Towns, from whence they bolted out to pillage the Neighbouring Countries, took up the Kings Rents, made private Persons compound for theirs, enjoy'd the Churches Revenues, and thus enriched themselves with great ease and little danger.

[month March.] In the beginning of March, the King not finding himself secure at Blois, retired to Tours. He first took out his Prisoners from the Castle of Amboise, sent the Cardinal de Bourbon to Chinon whereof Chavigny an ancient Gentleman was Governor, the Prince of Joinville (who from henceforward was and called himself Duke of Guise) to Tours, and the Duke d'Elbaeuf to Loches. The Duke of Mayennes Affairs, as we may say, did do of themselves. For even in the Month of February the Cities of Aix, Arles, and Marseilles, offended at the Kings restoring la Valete to that Govern∣ment, took the Oath for the League: but he in the mean while passed his time at [Year of our Lord 1589] Paris, where he and his Officers consumed in fruitless Expences the Moneys assessed [month March.] upon the Country, with the Confiscations and Sequestrations of the Politicks and Huguenots Estates.

While that Duke was in the greatest hurry of his Affairs, it hapned that four or five of his Friends and Intimates being in debauch with some Ladies of Pleasure in the Hostel de Carnavalet, one of them seeing him pass by ran after him, and haled him in almost by force: he did not stay above half an hour with this Company, yet made a shift to get and carry that away with him, that forced him to keep his Chamber

several weeks after, but being in haste, he had time to take only palliative Remedies. So that the venom remaining still in his Blood, rendred him more slow, lumpish, and melancholy, and in his Person stupified the activity of his whole Party.

In the Month of March, John Lewis de la Rochefoucaut Count de Randan, debauched Rion, and part of Auvergne whereof he was Governor; he had drawn the whole Country after him, if some Lords, as Rostignac, Saint-Herem, Allegre, Fleurat, Ca∣nillac, and Oradour, amongst whom d'Effiat, having the Kings particular Orders had acquired great credit, had not opposed their courage and skill against his Interest and Faction.

The Duke of Mercoeur having balanced a while, debauched likewise all Bretagne, excepting only Vitre; the Nobility of the Country were cantonized there against him, and whilst he besieged it, Renes escaped from him. Gefroy de Saint Belin Bishop of Poitiers, and the Mayor and some other Leaguers stirred up that Town, which however did not yet declare for the League.

Limoges remained under obedience of the King. Pichery retained the City of An∣gers in despite of Brissac who had put them upon rising, and reduced them by means of the Castle where he commanded. Matignons prudence defeated the Conspiracy of the Leaguers, who were beginning to Barricade themselves at Bourdeaux: but he durst not search it to the quick, the Combination being too general, and so thought it sufficient to hang two or three of the most Zealous.

Since the King of Navarres return to Rochel, he had taken Maran, and then Niort by Escalado. Some few days after hapned the Murther at Blois, but that made no alteration in the conduct of his Affairs; neither did it oblige him to discontinue his War. The Cities of Loudun, Thouars, Monstreuil, L'Isle Bouchard, and even Cha∣stelleraud it self, open'd their Gates to him. From thence he advanced as far as Argenton in Berry to aid the City which held for the King, against the Castle that stood for the League. Which gave so much jealousie to la Chastre, that he declared for the League, and made the City of Bourges declare with him.

The happy progress of this Prince and his Proximity, gave the King some reason [Year of our Lord 1589] to court his assistance in his extream necessity, the Duke of Nevers who apprehended [month April.] this medley of Huguenots and Catholicks might bring Religion into danger, dissuaded him with all his might, and there were withal great obstructions on either hand. On the Kings part, the fear of farther offending the Court of Rome, and scandalizing the Catholicks, the Conscience of so soon violating an Oath twice reiterated before the Estates, and the shame of being forced to call into his assistance him whom he had so roughly persecuted. On the King of Navarres part, the just suspicion lest they should sacrifice him to appease the fury of the League, (for this King that in∣vited him was himself one of the principal Authors of the bloody St. Bartholomew) and the constraint of stooping to the Favourites, who sported with the lives of those that did not bow the knee before them. Notwithstanding Du Plessis Mornay and some others by their prudent management removed all these Obstacles, and accom∣modated every thing between these two Kings, upon condition the Treaty should not be divulged till the King should think it fit.

It contained an agreement of a Truce for a year, during which time the King of Navarre should aid him with all his Forces, and should give him up all such places as he should take from the common Enemy; Reciprocally the King should give him the Pont de Ce upon the Loire, and one place in every Bailiwick as a retreat for his sick Men.

When the Legat had discover'd this new Confederation, he employ'd all his power and interest to incline the Duke of Mayenne to an Accommodation, even so far as to offer him Conditions much beyond the power of his Commission. The King finding he did but only lose time, that in the Dukes Army they gave him no better Title then the Tyrant, the Massacrer, and dethroned Henry, and that the Duke was at Chasteaudun, within three days Journey of Tours, he caused the Truce to be proclaimed, though with a great deal of repugnance.

There were at Rome some Envoys on his behalf to sollicite for his Absolution, and others in behalf of the League to oppose it. The thing was found to be much more difficult to obtain of the Pope, then he had imagined; In that Court the Blood of a Cardinal is not so lightly valued, and Pope Sixtus who gloried in trampling upon Crowned Heads, would be sure not to let slip this opportunity of magnifying his own power. He demanded before any further proceedings, that they should set the Cardinal de Bourbon and the Archbishop of Lyons at liberty: Charles d'Angennes Bishop of Mans, had made him believe the King would grant him this: but when

in stead of a compliance, that Prelat entertain'd him with excuses and ragione di stato, and at the same time they were informed by Letters from the Legat, of the Kings Confederation with the Head of the Huguenots, the Pope lets fly a Monitory the Fifth of May, by which

he demanded and commanded to set the Cardinal and the Arch-Bishop [Year of our Lord 1589] at liberty within ten days after publication, and to give certain notice [month May and June] thereof within thirty by an authentick Act: In default whereof he declared he had incurr'd the Censures Ecclesiastical, especially those which are contained in the Bull in Coena Domini, of which he could not be absolv'd but by the Pope himself, unless at the point of death, and upon giving security to make satisfaction; cited him to appear personally at Rome within sixty days, allowing him twenty days for each Admonition, and disanulling all Indulgences, Faculties, and Priviledges to the contrary, granted by the Holy See either to him or to any of his Predecessors.

This Monitory was published in Rome, and affixed upon the Church doors of St. Peters, and St. John de Latran the Three and twentieth of May, and the Month of June following in the Cathedral of Chartres, in that of Meaux, and some other Churches in France: but the King still pretended cause of ignorance. He notwith∣standing had well enough foreseen this thing, and the apprehension he had of it hastned him to satisfie the King of Navarre by giving him a passage upon the Loire. Du Plessis Mornay by his Address brought it so about as in lieu of Pont de Ce, a very ill-favoured place, he gave him the City of Saumur, whereof his Master gave him the Government.

This security being granted, the two Kings met about the Thirtieth of April about the hour of One in the Afternoon at Plessis Les Tours in the Park, he of Navarre was come to the Bridge de la Motte, which is a Rivolet a quarter of a league beyond Tours, and had brought part of his Forces which were quarter'd about two leagues beyond that, but would venture no farther. Nevertheless d'Aumont and Chastillon having informed him that such mistrust displeased the King, pressed him so home that they prevailed with him to pass the River of Cher and come into the Park. His old Captains trembled both for anger and for fear, lest the King, said they, in a season wherein treachery may be so advantageous to free himself out of that Labyrinth whereinto another had drawn him, should have agreed for his Absolution at the price of this Princes Life, and destined his Head a present to the Pope to accompany the Admirals.

The same day to dispel their fears, he returned to his lodgment: but the next day by six in the morning, and without giving them notice, he repasses the River with only one Page, and came to the King as he was rising. The two Princes spent all that morning and the next, in consulting of their Affairs. Their resolution in gross was to attaque Paris the principal head of the League, and that which gave motion to all the rest. They reckon they should for this purpose have the Forces of the Hu∣guenot Party, and great numbers of the Nobility, a powerful assistance which the King expected from England, and a levy of twelve thousand Swiss whom Sancy was gone to raise in the Protestant Cantons. After they had remained together two days, [Year of our Lord 1589] the King of Navarre went to Chinon to bring forward the rest of those Troops he [month April.] had left there.

In the Provinces the two Parties had had divers Rencounters, Sautour a Royalist be∣sieging Mere upon Seine, Hautefort who qualified himself Lieutenant General for the Union in Brie and Champagne, charged him, kill'd, or caused most of his Men to drown themselves in the Marishes.

But the advantage which the Duke of Montpensier, Governor of Normandy, gained over the Leaguers, was much more considerable: He had besieged Fala••se, Brissac brought four thousand Gautiers to its relief, he marches out to meet them and cut them all off near the Village of Pierresite, which is within two leagues of Falaise, and afterwards went and rooted out the whole Nursery of them at Vimoutier, Bernay, and la Chapelle-Gautier, where part of them were knock'd on the Head, part scatter'd, and the rest constrained to lay down their Swords, and fall to the Plough-share.

These were all Peasants that for two years had held those places, not for any par∣ticular Party, but to defend themselves from the robbing Soldiery, and from the Tax∣gatherers, greater Villains yet then the Men of the Sword. Their first place of meeting was in the Parish of la Chapelle-Gautier, whence they had their name: they were to the number of ten or twelve thousand. Happy if they had not admitted two Gentlemen amongst them, who did engage them in the quarrels of the Grandees, for which they had not the least concern.

At parting from Chasteaudun the Duke of Mayenne did not go directly to Tours, as it seems he ought to have done; but turns himself to some other Enterprizes. The one was upon the City of Vendosme: he took it by the treachery of Francis Maille Benehard, to whom the King of Navarre had given the Government, and in the same draught of his Net caught all the grand Council who lodged there.

He had another, to surprize the Duke of Espernons Cavalry, who were quarter'd about St. Ouin, and to have taken Prisoner Charles de Luxembourg Count de Brienne his Brother in Law, that he might exchange him for the Duke d'Elboeuf. For we must know that the Duke of Espernon was come back to the King with a good Party of Soldiers, and had quarter'd his Foot at Blois to defend it from the fury of the Duke of Mayenne, who threatned to lay it level with the ground, and sow it with Salt in revenge of the death of his Brothers. The Cavalry of the Count de Brienne were wholly cut off, and he hemm'd in and then made Prisoner in St. Ouins: but the King left him there not much caring to exchange him. This hapned some few days after the Enterview of the two Kings.

The King of Navarres absence made way for the Duke of Mayenne soon after to attempt upon the City of Tours. Perhaps the secret correspondence he held with [Year of our Lord 1589] some of the Inhabitants who were Leaguers, or even the Kings own Officers invited [month May.] him. He parted about Evening on the Seventh of May with his Army, and after a march of thirteen Leagues, got the next day by Ten of the Clock in the Morning so near the Suburbs, that the King, who was gone out to walk towards Marmoustier, did narrowly miss of being surprized by some light Horsemen.

The Duke a great Temporiser, lost half the day in light Skirmishes: it was near four in the Afternoon, when having felt their pulses, he roundly attaqu'd the Faux∣bourg St. Symphorien, and carried it in less then half an hour. Which made it seem probable, that if he had done so at the very first, he might have taken the Town wherein he had a great Faction: but towards the Evening Chastillon arrived with the King of Navarres Forces who lay not far from Tours, and intrenched himself in an Island right over against the City.

Upon this the Duke reflecting that he had but few Horse, and that his Foot were all new raised Men, that the King of Navarre would soon return in Person with that part of his Troops who were remaining at Chinon, judg'd it safest to make a retreat, and dislodged without noise at the first break of day, taking his march towards Anjou to gather up in that Country, and in Perche and Mayne, those Companies which the Gentlemen of the League had raised there.

This first Effort of the League having succeeded so ill, the Nobless, who before gave the King for lost, perceived now he would be able to defend himself, and hastned to come to him with great diligence. Then having room to march into the Field which way he pleased, he desired the King of Navarre to draw his Forces to Boisgency to make an essay upon Orleans, sent the Count de Soissons into Bretagne to secure the City of Renes, and himself made a Cavalcade to Poitiers, thinking to confirm that City to his own Service, which as yet did vacillate betwixt both Parties. But Orleans stirred not for the approach of the Navarrois Army; the Count unfortunately sell into the hands of the Duke of Mercoeur, who made him Prisoner in Chasteaugiron within three leagues of Renes; and the King did not find in Poitieres that kind dis∣position they had given him hopes of.

He returned therefore to Tours, where he began afresh to fall into his wonted idle∣ness, still flattering himself with some accommodation with the League: when the King of Navarre took the liberty to wait upon him, and rowzed up his sloath by so many arguments of danger and honour, that he forced him to mount on Horseback, desiring of him but only two Months labour and activity to set him at rest all the re∣mainder of his life.

Two messages of good news did likewise help to awake and spur him forwards, one the defeat of the Lords de Saveuse and de Brosse; the other the gaining of a [Year of our Lord 1589] Battle at Senlis. Saveuse and Brosse were Brothers, and of the bravest, indeed, [month June.] amongst all the Picards, and the most zealous Leaguers; who as they were bringing two hundred Lanciers to the Duke of Mayenne, were charged by Chastillon in that part of la Beausse near Bonneval, where yet the Cross of Saveuse is to be seen. He slew a hundred of them, and took fourscore Prisoners, whereof the most part died of their Wounds. Amongst others Saveuse, who refusing any manner of help or con∣solation, let his Soul sally forth together with his Blood, detesting the Murther at Blois, and spending his last breath in praising the heroick vertues of the Duke of Guise.

As to the affair of Senlis, Tore who had great influence over that City, because of the Voicinage of Chantilly, having reclaimed them to the Kings service, the Duke of Aumale would needs set upon it with some Parisian Forces, and four thousand Men brought him by Balagny, who called himself Prince of Cambray. Now the very same day they had capitulated to surrender, la Noue and the young Duke of Longue∣ville who had drawn together some Ten thousand Men to go and meet the Swiss raised by Saney, and some Lords of Picardy, whose Houses Balagny had ruined, resolved to succour it.

They briskly attaqued that Citizen-Camp, and found no great resistance, for they defeated and routed themselves upon the very first sight of their Army. There fell about two thousand of them upon the place, and almost as many in the Woods of Chantilly, who were knock'd at Head by the Peasants, and a thousand Prisoners with all their Bagage and Artillery.) Mayneville and Chamois lost their lives upon the spot. Aumale made but one continued Stage in running to St. Denis, where he pickt up some small fragments of his defeat. The Victors marched along by the very Gates of Paris, throwing in some Volees of Cannon, which carried to the Hales, and af∣terwards they put Provisions into Vincennes which held yet for the King.

[month July.] The Dutchess of Montpensier finding Paris much startled at this grand rout, press'd the Duke of Mayenne to come and take some course, otherwise all would be lost. He came therefore within fifteen days having first reduced the City of Alencon. When he had held some Consults with the Sixteen concerning the present state of Affairs, he went to regain the City of Montereau which had surrendred to the Duke of Espernon, then immediately descended along the Seine, and encamped near Paris to cover it. For already the Kings Army was before Pontoise; and took it upon composition after Hautefort was slain, and Alincourt the Governor, grievously wounded in the Shoulder.

The Evening of the Capitulation, the King had notice that the Foreign Assistance [Year of our Lord 1589] he expected, consisting of Ten thousand Swiss, two thousand Lansquenets, and some [month July.] Light-Horse, were arrived at Poissy. By this means his Army amounting to above Thirty eight thousand Men, the opinion of the King of Navarre and the younger Captains (though contradicted by the old ones) made them resolve to attaque Paris by main force. So that the King extended his Army from St. Cloud (where he lodged in the House of Gondy, even to the Gate of Nuilly, and the King of Navarre his from Vanvres to the Bridge of Charenton.

The Duke of Mayenne had enclosed the Suburbs on that side with great Retrench∣ments, and distributed his Men about to guard them. La Chastre was to defend those of St. Germains, St. James, and St. Marcel, and himself those of St. Honore, St. Denis, St. Martin, and St. Laurence, in case the King should bring any Forces on that side. He had not above ten thousand Soldiers: but the Duke of Nemours was on his march to bring him the like number, and he expected three thousand from Lorrain, and some Cavalry from divers parts of the Kingdom: sufficient Supplies, but not so near at hand, as was their danger.

Upon sight of the Kings Army, the Royalists who were numerous in Paris, the Cowards, and such as had a great deal to lose, did almost all declare bare-fac'd for an Accommodation, and they were already observed to run from House to House to exhort their Friends to follow their example. The apprehensions of a most bloody punishment did chil the Spirits of the hottest Leaguers and turn their zealous hearts into lumps of Ice, to little purpose did their declaiming Pulpiteers endeavour to en∣courage them, and keep their Souls from fainting with false reports, pretended to be sent them from all parts of the Nation: there was great danger lest upon some general attaque, which was resolved to be made on the Second day of August, their Swords should fall out of their trembling hands, and more yet, lest whilst they were engaged in Fight, the Royalists should charge them in the Rear, and set open some Gate for the Assailants entrance.

The Duke of Mayenne rather then come to such a dangerous extremity, had made his Party to go forth with four thousand Men all resolved to die like him, to run head∣long upon the Enemies Lodgment and sollicite fortune de la guerre (who sometimes shews a kindness to the generous in despair) either to lead him safe by the hand out of that dismal Storm, or bury his high and noble designs in a most glorious death.

He was yet in this extream resolution, when an accident as dreadful as it was un∣fore-seen, snatch'd him from the very brink of the Precipice. A Jacobin Monk [Year of our Lord 1589] named Frier Jacques Clement, a Native of the Village of Sorbonne near Sens, aged [month August.] Twenty five years, Profess'd of a Convent in Paris, and lately made a Priest, (other∣wise

dull and ignorant enough) of a very melancholy temper, and susceptible of those black vapours and imaginations formed in the brain by adustcholer, unhappily undertook to deprive the King of life. In what manner and by whom he was in∣duced to this, is a matter of too great importance to be discoursed without more certainty and light then I could ever find: but this is plain that if he were not prompted by any other to this design, there were some at least much pleased he had under∣taken it, and who gave him instructions and an opportunity, since they brought him acquainted with the Count de Brienne, and some other Royalist Lords Prisoners in the Bastille, and gave him •• Pass-port of that Counts, and a Letter of Credence from the President de Harlay for the King, but which was counterreit.

La Guesle Solicitor General, going from his House of Vanvres with his Brother to St. Cloud, met him upon that Road, and learning from him that he had business of great importance to deliver to the King, caused him to get on Horseback behind his Brother, and carried him to St. Cloud. Were it brutality, strength of courage, or an assurance of his pretended glory of Martyrdom, never was so undaunted a Fellow seen as this pestilent Monk: he supped merrily with la Guesles Servants, was not concerned at all the questions they put to him, and rested all night in a profound sleep. The next morning being brought by la Guesle into the Kings Chamber, he goes up to him without any dread, speaks to him without hesitation, presents him certain Letters, and as he was reading, takes his time, draws a Knife out of his Sleeve and plungeth it into his Belly. The King feeling himself wounded cries out, plucks the Knife out of his Wound, and gives him two blows, the one on the Forehead, the other in his Cheek. La Guesle draws his Sword, strikes the Monk imprudently upon the Forehead with the Pummel, and two or three of the Qu••rente-cinq more imprudent yet, kill him upon the place. When they had found whom he was, the Grand Prevost caused his Body to be torn asunder by four Horses, burnt the Quarters, and threw the Ashes into the Air.

At first the Wound did not appear to be very dangerous: but as soon as they had [Year of our Lord 1589] indication by a Glister given him that the small Guts were cut, and that there was no [month August.] cure, he waited for death patiently, and prepared himself in such manner as a most Christian King ought to do. He made his Confession to the Chaplain of his Closet, who gave him Absolution, upon the promise he made, of being ready to submit to whatever the Pope should Ordain, yet spake not a word of setting the Cardinal de Bourbon and the Archbishop at liberty. While he was entring the second time upon his Confession, he fell into a swoon, then utterly losing his speech, he expir'd about four in the morning, the Second day of August, which was the next after his being wounded.

The preceding Evening, the King of Navarre informed of the danger he was in, came to visit him, the frequent sits of fainting he fell into every moment, would not allow him to make long discourses: but when dead, the several Factions made many different ones for him according to their Interests. The Catholicks reported he exhorted him to abjure his Heresie, and to profess the true Faith; the Huguenots on the contrary, that he desired them to refer those Disputes to the Convocation of the Estates General; some others, that he conjured them to remain united, and pur∣sue the Revenge for his Death: but it is most certain that he embraced him several times, and that he called him his good Brother, and his lawful Successor.

They carried his Corps to St. Cornille de Compeigne, where it reposed till the year 1610. when it was brought to St. Deuis with that of the Queen his Mother which was at Blois, to accompany the Funeral Pomp of Henry the Great. Both of them were placed in the Mausoleum of the Valois. Benoise Secretary of the Closet, a faith∣ful Servant, caused his Heart and Bowels to be buried in a private place of the Church of St. Cloud, then when Henry IV. had restored France to its perfect Peace, he placed an Epitaph there which is yet to be seen, and founded an Anniversary for him.

Henry III. ceased to live in the Eleventh Month of the Nine and thirtieth year of his Age, and the second of the sixteenth of his Reign. He had no Children by Queen Louisa his Wife, she survived him till the year 1601. and the Forty seventh of her Age. She made choice for her retirement of the Castle of Moulins, which was part of her Dower, where she passed the remainder of her days in the continual exer∣cise of Piety and Christian Vertues.

With this King ended the Branch of the Valois, who had Reigned One hundred and sixty one years, (accounting from Philip IV.) and furnished France with thirteen Kings, most of them Magnificent, Liberal, Valiant, Religious, and Lovers of Polite Learning: b••t, to say the truth, not over-fortunate in War; who notwithstanding

have acquired to this Kingdom by good Conduct, rather then by force, Daufine, [Year of our Lord 1589] Burgundy, Provence, and Bretagne: and chaced the English wholly out of France, after a War of an hundred and thirty years together, with various success and fortune.

But, who began to burthen the People with Tails and Impositions, (little known in the Reigns of their Predecessors, unless in cases of urgent necessity, by grant of the Estates, and only for a time) who have alienated the Sacred Demesns of the Crown, permitted Plebeians to possess Fiefs, taken away Canonical Elections of Be∣nefices, introduced the Venality of Offices, and even of Nobility, multiplied Officers of Justice, and of Finance, composed great numbers of Reiglements and Ordon∣nances, changed the ancient Militia of the Kingdom to entertain Soldiers upon pay, level'd the power of the great Lords, called Women into the Court; and in fine made many other changes, whereof we must refer the Judgment to the Sages whether they be more profitable, or prejudicial to the State.

Henry IV. King LXII.

POPES,

• SIXTUS V. near thirteen years under this Reign.
• URBAN VII. Elected the 15th of September 1590. S. only twelve days.
• GREGORY XIV. Elected the fifth of December 1590. S. ten Months ten days.
• INNOCENT IX. Elected the 29th of October 1591. S. two Months.
• CLEMENT VIII. Elected the 30th of January 1592. S. thirteen years and one Month.
• LEO XI. Elected the first of April 1605. S. twenty seven days.
• PAUL V. Elected the 16th of May 1605. S. fifteen years, and near nine Months, whereof five years under this Reign.

HENRY IV. King LXII. Aged Thirty five years and eight Months.

[Year of our Lord 1589. August.] ALthough there had been hitherto no example in France of a Prince that came to the Crown from a degree so remote as was Henry King of Na∣varre in respect of King Henry III. to whom he was of Kin but in the tenth or eleventh: nevertheless it was the Sentiment both of the People and the Lawyers, that this succession in a Masculine Line, extended to infinity. And indeed those that would have excluded him did not make this distance beyond the seventh degree any part of their pretence, but the defect of his Religion and they believed they had so shut up all the Avenues by the Edict of Re-union, which the Estates General and the deceased King had twice sworn, and by Pope Sixtus his Bull, that they imagined he could never attain it, even though he were converted.

During the night between the Second and third of August whilst his Predecessor was in his greatest agony, he held several Councils tumultuarily in the same House with his most cordial Servants; then when he saw he was giving up the ghost, he re∣tired to his quarters at Meudon, followed at first by a good number of the Nobi∣lity, who accompanied him out of curiosity rather then affection. And there being lock'd up in his Chamber he consulted sometimes with one, sometimes with others, shewing great confidence to all, but generally suspecting every one.

Some, though but a very few, swore fealty to him without any Condition. Bi∣ron, the most considerable, and the most imperious of all those that were there, be∣lieving the Kingdom was going to be dismembred, as it had been at the end of the Carlien Race, made known he desired to have the County of Perigord for his share. The King commanded Sancy to offer it to him: but Sancy, who could not claim the like advantage for himself, did so picque him with generosity, as he renounced that demand, and went along with him to the Swiss Soldiers, to persuade them to remain in the Service of the new King. The fear they had of losing their pay, was a strong charm to hold them by; however some of them disbanded.

This was a great advantage for the new King: but as to the rest he was without Money and without Credit, the Princes of the Blood had neither the power nor will to serve him: the old Cardinal de Bourbon was his Concurrent; the Cardinal de Ven∣dosms ambition gave him jealousie; the humour of the Count de Soissons agreed but ill with his; the Prince of Conty Brother to those two Princes, was of little effect, by reason of his deafness and his other natural defects; Montpensier their Cousin, the richest and most powerful of them all, was well enough content he should be King, and never would have endured any other: but he desired he would abjure his Religion.

[Year of our Lord 1589. August.] As to the Lords who were in the deceased Kings Army, they were not very well inclined towards him. Those that had been in favour, apprehended lest he should take revenge for the ill impressions they had given their Master of him, and besides they would willingly have preserved the same power they had in the late Court, for which reason they made their Cabals apart four or five years together. The rest feared he would bestow their Commands upon his Huguenots, and the Huguenots themselves apprehended he might change his Religion. A suspicion which they had long before conceived, and which they began to look upon as an approaching truth, when they saw him ready to step into the Throne.

Thus did he not know whom to advise with: every resolution seemed perillous▪ he found it as greatly inconvenient to declare himself immediately a Catholick, as to persist in his Huguenotism, and the medium between those two Extreams was attended with the inconveniencies of both. Whilst these different thoughts were rowling in his Head, there met an Assembly of Nobility, right against his Lodging, where it was resolved it should be declared to him, that the Quality of Most Christian, being essential to a King of France, they did beseech him to take up the Crown with that Condition. The Duke of Longeville undertook to carry him this Message: being come to the Door he fell upon some Considerations, and gave ground, but Francis d'O supplied his place, and deliver'd it boldly.

The following night, the King held Council with five or six of his most intimate Friends to give an Answer to the Nobless, who at the same time were all Assembled in the House of Francis de Luxembourg Duke of Piney. It was resolved in the Kings Council, that happen what would, he should yet persevere in his Belief; In the As∣sembly it was Decreed they might acknowledge him upon these Conditions; That he should instruct himself within six Months; That in the mean time be should forbid the Exercise of the new Religion; That he should admit none to Commands or Offices that did profess it, and should suffer the Nobility to send their Deputies to the Pope, to make him un∣derstand and allow of the Reasons which obliged them to remain firm to his Service. He readily condescended to all these points, excepting the second, in compensation whereof he promised to restore the Exercise of the Catholick Religion over all, and the Clergy to their Livings.

There were divers that Signed this Accommodation with regret, and some who did absolutely refuse it▪ amongst others Espernon and Vitry: This last threw himself into Paris, and for a while gave himself to the League: the other having protested he would never be either Leaguer or Spaniard, ask'd leave to be gone, yet allowed some days for the new King to raise the Siege of Paris with honour. Was it that he feared lest this Prince, to whom he had very lately done ill Offices near Henry III. would shew him some foul play, or rather borrow some great Sums of Money never to be repay'd? Whatever Motive it were, his example was cause that the greatest part of the Army disbanded, for which the King had such a Resentment against him all his whole life as was the occasion of great mischiefs.

On the Leagues side, the Parisians, when they knew of the death of the King, con∣sidering rather the greatness of that peril had been so near them, then the enormity of this detestable Parricide, made p••blick Rejoycings, lighted Bonfires, set up Tables in the Streets, threw aside their black S••arves, and put on green ones, running des∣sperately from the Town to the Trenches, and from the Trenches into the Town again.

Mean while in the Morning about Ten of the Clock was fought that famous Duel between John de l'Isle Marivaut and Claud•• de Maroles, both very brave Sword Men. The latter much more skilful, though a great deal younger, had generously accepted the others Challenge. They chose for their Field of Battle, the Plain behind the Chartreux, Maroles directed so well, that he ran Marivaut into the Eye with his Lance and kill'd him. He gave his Corps to his Friends, being satisfied with his Sword and Horse as Trophies of his Victory.

When the Parisians were a little recover'd of their first Transports, they were all of this mind, that they ought not to admit of an Heretical Prince to the Throne of St. Lewis. This Resolution appeared so plausible and so Christian-like, that it was embraced even by those that had always detested the League as a Faction. And in∣deed this drew great numbers of People that were truly pious and considerable throughout the Kingdom to their Party: with whom they joyned till the Kings Conversion had satisfied their Consciencies, and secured the Catholick Religion, which certainly must have run a great hazard, had they not obliged him to change. But on the other hand Henry III. against whom the fury of the People was bent to revenge the death of the Guises, being now out of the World, their heat was abated of a sudden, and those angry Spirits having that Object no longer in view, did not act with the same passion and violence.

The Duke of Mayenne considering all these things, perhaps with more slowness then is requisite in such great and such pressing occasions, knew not what to resolve upon; His Friends advis'd to have him be declared King, so to collect and unite the scatter'd Members of his Party, and although this Advice did not please the Six∣teen, nor Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador, yet had the thing been done, they must then have consented. Others would have him agree with the King, who offer'd him Conditions very advantageous, and did almost promise to share the Kingdom with him. Another sort press'd him to declare to the Catholicks of the Royal Army, that all his Resentments being extinguished by the death of Henry III. to which he did not in the least contribute, he had now no other Interest in that Cause but for Re∣ligion; and that therefore he should intreat they would all joyn with him, and oblige the King of Navarre to return into the bosom of the true Church, or if he would not come in, to elect another of the Blood Royal whom they should think fit. He embraced neither of these three ways, but following that of the Quarante and [Year of our Lord 1589. August.] the most notable of the Bourgeois, he resolved to Proclaim Charles Cardinal of Bourbon King, which however was not done till four or five Months after.

In vain therefore did the King essay by divers ways to make him submit: he could get no other Answer, but that he would hearken to no Conditions till he had set the Cardinal at liberty, and did himself return unto the Church. In the mean time ob∣serving the Duke debauched many of his Captains from him, as well by the tempta∣tions and caresses of the Parisian Gossips, as by his secret Bribes, he resolved to decamp and march into Normandy to secure himself of those Cities whose Governors had not hitherto declared for the League. This was in truth, to go and gather those Sums that were due, and to receive the English succours: but he first accompanied the Corps of his Predecessor to St. Comille de Compeigne, and in his way took Creil upon Oyse, Meulanc on the Seine, Clermont in Beauvoisis, and Gisors.

He was after this forced to give his Nobility leave to go and take care of their Harvest: but he sent part of his Troops with those of Picardy commanded by the Duke of Longueville, another with those of Champagne conducted by the Mareschal d'Aumont, and even some Companies into Angoulmois with the Duke of Espernon, that it might be thought he went not into those Countries but by his Order.

The more affectionate to the publick Liberty, said it belonged to the Estates Ge∣neral to decide a Question so important; and, indeed, the King had assigned them at Tours in the Month of October, and the Duke at Paris in the Month of November, though neither the one nor the other did it out of any other end but to amuse the People. They did not forget on either part to give notice to all the Princes their Friends of what had hapned, and to seek their assistance. They were both of them near the same Age, both very valiant, the Duke of Mayenne till then in reputation as the better Commander: but he soon lost it, wanting celerity, which is one of the main qualifications.

In effect, he was slow in resolving, much slower yet in execution, negligent in pur∣suing his advantages, heavy of Body, a great sleeper, and a huge Trencher-man. His Secretaries and Officers were stupified with the same Laziness; There were Pacquets of great importance lay oft-times two or three days on his Table and never open'd. Those that managed his Moneys were prodigal and ill Husbands, so that he never had enough at a time of need. His sloath tired the more active, and his sullen gravity, not to say pride, distasted his most zealous and faithful Partisans, as his suspicions and eternal jealousies disgusted and offended such by whom he might have been very much assisted. The King on the contrary, was not sparing of caresses [Year of our Lord 1589. August.] and fair words, shewed a great deal of confidence in those Princes from whom he received any help, was affable and familiar, quick, active, and vigilant, not lying

so long time in Bed, as the Duke was sitting at Table, with this sparing and srugal even to excess; yet handsomly bestowed what he could not well refuse.

As for the two Parties, that of the League was much the greater, for they had the generality of the common People, most of the biggest Cities, all the Parliaments, except Renes, and Bourdeaux (and this last did not own him till a year after) the better part of the Ecclesiastical Order, the assistance of Spain, the encouragement of Rome, and all the Catholick Princes (but the Republick of Venice, and the Duke of Florence): yet there was no union amongst their Chiefs, nor Authority sufficient in their General to fasten and hold all these different untackt pieces together, who were more opposed by each other then by the King himself.

The Royalists Party had almost all the Nobless, the Officers belonging to the late Court, all the Protestant Princes to Friend, and the Huguenots with their old Soldiers enured to hardships and trials, ready to expose all, that they might get a King of their own Religion; and indeed, they did render him most signal service, and would have done him much greater yet, if a suspicion of his Conversion had not tied up their hands. As for the Nobility, having no pay, they served him as it were by turns, a Month or six weeks together was the most, then they returned to their own homes, [month September.] and those of some other Province came and supplied their places.

He had but three thousand French Foot left, two Regiments of Swiss, and twelve hundred Horse: with these he descends into Normandy along the Seine. N. le Blanc-Rolet, a Man of courage and judgment, Governor of Pont de l'Arche, was the first that declared, and came to meet and bring him the Keys of the place, Emar de Chates gave him the same assurance for Diepe, and Gaspard de Polet la Verone for the City and Castle of Caen. These favourable successes engaged him to the Siege of Rouen, Aumale and Brissac were within with twelve hundred Horse, nevertheless the People beginning to waver, and not knowing how to rely either upon their conduct, or their valour, the Duke of Mayenne judged it necessary to go thither himself.

He had near four thousand Horse, and fifteen thousand Foot; for Henry Marquiss de Pont Son of the Duke of Lorrain, after the taking of Jamets, was come to joyn him with a thousand Horse, Christopher de Bassompierre with four Cornets of Reisters, [Year of our Lord 1589. September.] the Duke of Nemours with three thousand Foot, and fifteen hundred Horse, Balagny with two thousand Men, and the Duke of Parma had sent him as many. The King did not believe this Army could have been ready so soon, nor that they would march this way. When he found they came directly to him, he decamped from before Rouen, and went and took the City of Eu: but he was much astonished when they came and told him they had pass'd the Seine at Vernon.

He then perceived he had no other course to take, till he could get his Nobility and Friends together, but to retire under the Walls of Diepe; and perhaps he might not have had time to do this, if the celerity of the Duke of Mayennes Army had not been retarded by the absence of their Chief: for he was gone post from Mantes to Beins in Haynault, to confer with the Duke of Parma.

When he return'd, he designed to coop the King up in that corner; and to that purpose took all the little places round about it. By this means he thought first to invest him, and afterwards wholly overwhelm him: which appeared so feasible and undoubted, that he sent word every where, even into Spain, that he held the Bearnois pent up in a place from whence he could not escape him, unless he would leap into the Sea.

The Parliament of Tours had so great a dread of it, that they sent Deputies to propound to the King to associate the old Cardinal de Bourbon to the Crown, and the King himself startled by the timerous Councils of such as were about him, and ap∣prehending lest the Barks that descended from Rouen, and those Vessels the Duke of Parma was preparing at Dunkirk, should invest him by Sea, as he was already by Land, took it into consideration whether he ought not to go away for England while the Coast was clear. The plurality of Votes had carried it on that side, if the bold Remonstrances of the Mareschal de Biron, who could do every thing with him, had not made them reject that mean-spirited Advice.

He lodged himself therefore at Arques, which is a Burrough with a Castle situate upon a rising ground, within a League and a half of Diepe, between the two little Hillocks that shut up the Valley where runs the River of Betune, of whose Mouth the Sea makes the Port of that City. The Duke Lodged on the Hill at the right hand, and attaqued the Suburb du Polet, whence being repulsed, he lay still three days to∣gether without attempting any thing. The fourth he made a great effort to gain the Kings Retrenchment; but having lost five hundred Men, he retired, and rested

quiet two days more, after which having decamped and taken a march of seven or eight Leagues, he returns of a sudden to Polet, and began to batter it, but it was at [Year of our Lord 1589. September.] a distance only and very coldly. The tenth day he raised the Siege for good and all, and retreated a great way into Picardy.

Besides his slowness and uncertainty, there were other clogs no less heavy, that hin∣dred him from moving with that force and promptitude requisite in such great En∣terprises: his Germans and Swiss refused to fight, unless he would first pay their Musters; and they were hourly ready to fall together by the Ears with the French, upon such picques as are ordinary betwixt different Nations. Besides all the Com∣manders of his Army, taking the Kings surrender or flight to be unavoidable, ••ell already into disputes about the sharing of the Kingdom. The Marquiss du Pont believed the Crown was his due, the Duke of Nemours, the Duke and the Chevalier d'Aumale scoffed at his Pretensions, and being possessed against each other with the like jealousies, as against him, did narrowly watch each others motions. This was [☜] it that upon this very first occasion betray'd the weakness of the Duke of Mayenne and the League, and gave the Royal Party so mean an opinion of them, and so good a one of themselves, that after this very day they made no difficulty, not only of standing their ground in any place, but of following and seeking them with unequal Forces.

Before we enter any further into this confusion of Troubles, it will be sit to note the disposition of France both within and without, in respect of the two Parties. Pope Sixtus had declared for the League, because the first news he had after the death of Henry III. reported they were absolute Masters of the whole Kingdom, and he believed that depending upon him, they would let him make such a King as should entirely submit the Crown to the Crosier.

The King of Spain would not determine this grand Quarrel, which he might very easily have done, had he at first commanded the Duke of Parma to enter France and to joyn with the Duke of Mayenne: but his interest was to ruine the Kingdom by their own Contentions, and then snatch up some fragments for himself. Upon this prospect, he never sent but slender assistance to the Duke, but with sair promises joyned to a great deal of ostentation. And indeed the Duke never had any sincere amity for, or strict tie with him, but knowing, as he thoroughly did, his intentions, the Forces they lent did often give him more fear and embarass, then they did him service.

The Seigneury of Venice and the Duke of Florence had an interest that there should be a King in France to balance the overgrown power of the Spaniard, who too much [Year of our Lord 1589. September.] over-topp'd them. Wherefore the Seigneury owned Henry IV. at first dash, not∣withstanding the oppositions of the Popes Nuncio and the Spanish Ambassador: and the Florentine profer'd to lend him three hundred thousand Crowns, provided he would make a Match for Mary de Medicis with one of the Princes of his Blood.

The Duke of Lorrain pretended to the Crown for his Son the Marquiss du Pont: but in an Assembly of some Deputies of the Cities in Champagne, at Chaumont, in Bassigny, where he made his demand of it, not one gave him their Vote; and his Son whom he sent into France with some Forces, acquired so little reputation, and had moreover such ill fortune amongst the Women, that he carried back nothing, as 'tis said, but the Crown of Venus.

The Duke of Savoy had no less pretensions then the said Marquiss, he derived his Title from his Mother, Daughter of the great King Francis, and that supported with the Alliance of Spain: However knowing himself too weak to carry the whole Kingdom, he would only have laid his hands upon Provence and Daufine; and to that effect sent to the Parliament of Grenoble, whom he thought pretty well disposed to favour him by the care of Charles de Simiane d'Albigny, to make out his right to them, and incline them to own him. But he met with no great satisfaction: the Par∣liament replying that his demand concerned the whole Kingdom, that therefore he ought to make it to the Estates General, in whose determination they would abso∣lutely acquiesce.

As for the Provinces, the Duke of Mercoeur was Master of the better part of Bretagne; Normandy, Picardy, and Champagne were almost all Leaguers; Burgundy was kept quiet under the commands of the Duke of Mayenne, excepting that in the following year the Count de Tavanes a Royalist took some Castles there, from whence he made War upon the Vicount his Brother, a passionate friend to the Duke of Mayenne. The greater part of Guyenne obey'd the Kings commands, there being none but the Cities of Agen, Villeneure, and Marmande, as also some Castles in

Agenois and in Quercy, who were of the opposite Party. The Duke of Mayenne had no doubt drawn all that Province after him, had he bestowed the Government upon Biron, and not on the Marquiss de Villars his Wives Son, who by her importu∣nities made him commit that gross mistake. As to the rest the Mareschal de Matignon had retained Bourdeaux, Anne de Levis Count de la Voute Limoges, some others Pe∣rigord and Quercy, and the Duke of Espernon Angoulmo••s. Poitiers on the contrary remained scot-free.

The Country along the Loire was much embroil'd: Berry and Orleannois, as also [Year of our Lord 1589. September.] Mayne, Perche, and Beausse, held for the League; Touraine and Blesois for the King. Montmorency had secured for him that part of Languedoc whereof he was Master, having sent him a promise of the Constables Sword: but he would not break that Truce he had made with Joyeuse; who held the Cities of Narbonne, Carcassonne, d'Alby, Rodes, and even that of Toulonze, which is capital of the Province, with some other lesser places.

In Provence, the Parliament and la Valete made War against each other, more out of private animosities then affection to either Party. The Duke of Savoy concern'd himself for his own Interest; but this year he was employ'd against the Swiss, and in the pursute of a design he had conceived of taking the City of Geneva. The Duke of Nemours held Lyons, and Vienne; and d'Albigny Grenoble and some petty Towns for the League; Lesdiguieres Head of the Huguenots, and Alfonso Dornano Head of the Catholick Royalists, being allied together, master'd almost all the rest of Daufine. In Auvergne the Count de Randan a zealous Catholick, had made sure of Limagne; but on the contrary most of the Lords of the Province, as we have before hinted * 1.62, resisted him stoutly.

The Parisians who thought the taking of the Bearnois (so they called him) infallible, were mightily surprized, when they saw he (after the having received a supply of four thousand English the evening before the day that the Duke of Mayenne decamped from Diepe) having made a long march, came on All-Saints day attaqu'd and forced their great Retrenchments of the Fauxbourgs* 1.63 Saint Jacques and Saint Germains, then the Fauxbourgs themselves, with so much vigour, that he might have entred the [month November.] City, had his Cannon but come timely enough to beat open the Gates. It's said he got up into the Steeple of the Abby St. Germains, and thence at leasure contemplated the tumults and hurry he caused in Paris.

Bourgeing Prior of the Jacobins, was taken in the Trenches of the Fauxbourg Saint Jacques, with his Armour on and fighting courageously; they convey'd him to Tours where the Parliament condemned him to be drawn by four Horses, upon the Depositions of some Witnesses, whether true or false, who gave Evidence that he had incited Jacques Clement to kill Henry III. which he ever constantly denied, and died so.

The Duke of Mayenne knowing the King drew toward Paris, sent the Duke of Nemours thither with all expedition, who did not arrive till towards night; the next day he came himself with the gross of his Army. Upon the noise of his arrival, [Year of our Lord 1589. November.] the King withdrew his out of the Fauxbourgs into the Field, and having stood there three hours in battalia, went to Linas. From thence he went and took Estampes, and Janville, then Vendosme. Maille Benehard who was Governor, not having the discretion either to surrender it in time, or defend it bravely, was there beheaded.

He marched afterwards to Tours, where he staid but two days, and went to attaque Mans. In it there were twenty Companies of Foot, and one hundred Gentlemen; Bois-Daufin commanded there. They had caused all the Suburbs to be burnt down, as if resolved to defend themselves to the utmost extremity, and yet at the first Cannon Shot glancing upon their Wall, they made Composition, which the more honourable, by so much was it the more shameful. In fine, in Anjou, Mayne, and Touraine, the League could preserve only the Town de la Ferte Bernard. The King left that, it being of more importance to employ his Arms for the reduction of Normandy.

In the Month of September, Pope Sixtus had chosen the Cardinal Caetan to go Legat into France. His Orders were,

To take care they should provide France [month September.] with a King that were Pious, a Catholick, and agreeable to the French; To that effect to go directly to Paris, where the Ambassadors of Spain and Savoy were to meet, to hear all the Propositions should be made to him, to shew himself wholly disinteressed, to engage for no Pretender, to hear even the King of Navarre, if there were any hopes of reconciling him to the Church, with honour and dignity to the Holy See.

After these Instructions given, the Pope received Letters written to him by the Duke de Piney, (deputed to his Holiness on behalf of the Royalist

Nobility) assuring him he was upon his Journey towards Rome to give him a good Account of that Body; this caused him to stop his Legat for some weeks: but the League importuned him so much that he was at last obliged to let him go.

[month November.] He arrived at Lyons the Ninth of November, so fraught with an opinion of his great Power and Conduct, that he thought to dispose of all France at to his own pleasure, and unravel all the grand Affairs with those little Intrigues, and trivial Subtilties they make use of in deciding those amongst themselves at Rome. So having refused the offer the Duke of Nevers made him of his City (which ever since the death of Henry III. he had kept neuter betwixt both Parties) and without giving no∣tice of his coming to the Catholick Lords who were with the King, but only to the Duke of Mayenne, he caused his Brief to be published containing the subject of his Legation, and afterwards came to Paris.

[Year of our Lord 1589. November▪] Now because in the Brief no mention was made of the Cardinal de Bourbon, the Duke was possest with some apprehensions, lest the Pope and the Spaniard had agreed to make some other Person King, and by consequence make him lose that Authority he would preserve under the name of that Cardinal, and therefore to prevent that danger, he made haste before the arrival of the Legat, to have him solemnly declared King; and in effect he was proclaimed so in all the Cities of that Party by vertue of a Decree of the Council for the Union verified in Parliament; and from that time Justice, and all other publick Acts, began to be administred in the name of Charles X. the Title and the Power of Lieutenant General still reserved to the Duke.

There were then four different Factions in Paris, (besides that of the Royalists who durst not too openly discover themselves;) That is the Party called the Po∣liticks, because they considered the State much more then Religion, for which the greater part being less concern'd then for their own proper interest, believed the stronger side was ever the most just: and wished the King might become so, but in the mean while never declar'd for him. The second, was that of the Lorrain Princes, consisting of their Friends and a Party of Zealous Catholicks; The third, were the Spanioliz'd, (if we may use this Phrase) whom the luster of Peruvian Gold had fetter'd to King Philips Interest: and the fourth a sort of People too amorous and fond of liberty, who aimed to set up a Government whereby absolute Authority might be restrained within the bounds of Laws. This latter did not long subsist, the other three (though Enemies amongst themselves) conspiring to make them odious and to destroy them: in so much as not knowing which way to turn, they quickly joyned with the Spanish who received them with open Arms.

In the beginning the Spaniards promised themselves their own hearts desires from the charming power of their Pistols: they did not know they had to do with People that were ever craving and never satisfied. Wherefore when Mendoza the Ambas∣sador (imagining he had made a Party sufficient) propounded in Council that they should chuse the King his Master for Protector of the Holy Union. The Duke was hugely surprised, and after he had consulted with his ablest Heads, made Answer, that the Legat being so near, it would be thought a Crime to resolve upon so weighty a business without first communicating of it to him. This reply piqued the Spaniard much; and they were quits with him, for some days after, when he demanded Money, they paid him with the very same evasion. In this manner being all jealous of each [Year of our Lord 1589. November.] other, and employing their greatest care, the one to usurp, the other to defend themselves, they in this mean while let slip the opportunity of destroying the com∣mon Enemy, and continuing to act in the same manner still, they labour'd only to the advancement of his Affairs, and the destruction of their own.

The Duke sensibly touched with the reproaches of the Parisians, for having kept his Army three weeks about the Town without doing any thing, takes the Field the Two and twentieth of November. He gains the Bois de Vincennes and some other Castles upon Composition, laid Siege to Pontoise which defended it self but very poorly, this was in the beginning of January, then went to attaque Meulanc. He promis'd himself after the taking of this last place, to do the same by Pont de l'Arche, and by that means keep the River of Seine open from Paris even to Rouen. It was [Year of our Lord 1590. January.] easie enough for him to gain the Town of Meulanc, the difficulty was to take the Fort, which is an Island joyned to the two Shoars by two Bridges.

As then the King was in Normondy, where he had reduced almost all the places, Alencon, Argentan, Domfront, Lisieux, Bayeux, Falaise, and Honfleur. There were none but the two last that sustained a Siege; the first was taken by assault from the Castle, (the Mote which was its chiefest strength being frozen up) and was mise∣rably sacked; the other capitulated as soon as the King had block'd up their

Harbour, by which they daily received refreshment sent them by Villars from Rouen.

Now when he was informed the Duke was before Meulane, he hastens thither with part of his Men, puts relief into the Fort, then some few days after comes again with his whole Army. Now the Duke being well lodged in the Burrough, and he much incommoded in the Field by the great Frosts, resolved to draw him out thence by attaquing Poissy, which lies a League above it. He immediately gains the Town by Escalado, and falls a battering the Bridge: The Duke runs thither upon the noise of the Cannon, and could no way stop their fury but by breaking down two Arches of the Bridge. The King having done what he desired, went and laid Siege to Dreux.

During this the Legat was arrived at Paris. He there received the Compliments of the Magistrates, and all the distinct Bodies Corporate of the City, presented his Bull in Parliament who verified it without any modification, and went afterwards thither himself in great pomp, believing there remained nothing more for him to do but to take possession of the Soveraign Authority. But as he would have placed himself in the Kings Seat, which is in the corner under a Canopy, the first President pull'd him gently by the hand, as if to shew him respect, and sat him on the Bench below him. The Parliament of Tours having seen his Bull, and observ'd it was directed to the Kings Enemies, forbid he should be owned for Legat; that of Paris [Year of our Lord 1590. January.] on the contrary damn'd their Decree; and thus these two Companies often fought with the points of their Pens.

The King making much ado with his demanding a Conference to be instructed (writing however quite contrary to the Protestant Princes) many of the Leaguers [month February, and March.] began to grow cool, and even some Preachers were so bold as to speak in favour of him. The Faculty of Theology made a Decree of the Tenth of February, wherein they condemned these Propositions, That it was lawful to agree with the Bearnois, to own him upon condition he became a Catholick, and to pay him Taxes and Subsidies. The Legat at the same time wrote his Circular Letter the first of March, to all the Bishops, forbidding them to appear in any Assembly for that purpose, and withal took a new Oath of the Prevost des Merchands, Eschevins, Quarteniers, Diziniers, and Captains of each Quarter, or Ward, to persevere in the Holy Union to the last moment of their lives. This was done in the great Augustins after solemn Procession.

The Ambassador of Spain was not so discouraged upon their first denial to own the King his Master for their Protector, but he would needs attempt it a second time, which had no better success then the former. He likewise offer'd the Duke a very great supply: but he who would readily have accepted it in the beginning, ap∣prehending it might be to stifle his Authority by a greater, told him he should be sa∣tisfied with five or six thousand Men, and the remainder he would rather have in Money.

During the difficulties created by their Agents on this Subject, he goes to the Duke of Parma, and procured of him fifteen hundred Lances, and five hundred Ar∣quebusiers on Horseback, Armed with Breast and Head-piece, they were called Ca∣rabins, all commanded by Philip Count of Egmont, a young Man growing in Repu∣tation, but who as yet was more rash then valiant.

With this Re-inforcement having no less then four thousand Horse, and ten thou∣sand Foot, he marches to the relief of Dreux, and passed over the River Stine at Mantes. The King having notice of it raised the Siege and came to post himself at Nonancour; The same night he arrived there, his Council resolved to give Battle, though his Army were less in number by a third part then the Enemy. It was not the Dukes design to engage him, but only to put some Men into Dreux, as he might with ease, all the Avenues being left open: but the King decamping from Nona••cour to draw somewhat nearer the River Eure towards Yvry, that so if the Enemies at∣tempted to pass over, he might fight them separately, the Leaguers imagined he was flying. Then Egmont presses the Duke to follow and fall upon him, and while the Duke knew not what to resolve, brags he would attaque him with his own Party [Year of our Lord 1590. March.] alone and beat him. These Huffings and the vain discourses of the Parisians, who reproached his sloath, constrained him to pass the River Eure, and engaged him in Combat.

Those that call'd ••olowd for Battle fell into a sudden consternation when they saw the Kings Forces, who far from running away came directly towards them, but there was now no way left them to avoid it. The next Morning being on Wednesday the Fourteenth of March, the two Armies ranged themselves in Batalia right against

Yvry, in that great Plain which lies in the midst of a Peninsula between the Rivers Aure and Iton, and the Eure which receives them both. In less then half an hour the Army of the League was utterly defeated, the great Squadrons of their Lancers broken with the others Swords and Pistol Shot, their Lansquenets cut in pieces, and most part of their Frenchmen kill'd upon the place. The Swiss only stood their ground: but when they saw they were about to break their Batalions with great Guns, they lowred their Pikes and surrendred their Colours; which were immedi∣ately restored to them again by the generosity of the King, who desiring to oblige the whole Nation, wrote a very civil Letter to the Cantons.

The Duke of Mayenne, after he had performed all the Duties of a great Com∣mander and brave Cavalier, drew part of his Men over the Bridge, then caused it to be broken down, and with that remnant escaped to Mantes. The Inhabitants were willing to receive his Person, but not quarter his Troops, but made them go thorough ten by ten. Nemours, Aumale, and some other Chiefs, with what they could rally, retired to Chartres over the Plain.

The Duke attributed the loss of this Battle to his Flemish Men at Arms, who were heavy and unskilful, as well the Men as their Horses; to the temerity of Count Egmont who commanded them; to the mistake of the Vicount de Tavanes, who being short-sighted, ranged the Squadrons so near each other that there was not space enough in the intervals for the Reisters to wheel about and draw up again in the rear of the rest; and above all to the cowardize of those very Reisters, who having at first given ground, fell into the Dukes Squadron, and continuing still to wheel off during the whole fight, fell upon the others likewise and so put them into disorder.

For fear of being pursued he had broken down the Bridge of Yvry: and there hapned the greatest slaughter of the run-aways, the Reisters defended themselves a while in the Burrough, but were all knock'd on the Heads. The King having past the River at the Ford of Anet, was come to Lodge at Rosny, which is a League be∣yond Mantes: His approaches startled the Inhabitants of that Town; the Duke perceived by their looks there would be little security for him there, and for that reason retired speedily to St. Denis.

The Plain of Yvry was not the only place wherein destiny, to speak like the Vul∣gar, declared for the King: the same day it gave him in Auvergne another advan∣tage of great importance, and such as wholly confirmed his Affairs in that Province. The Count de Randan had surprized the Town of Issoire, and built a Citadel, the Gentlemen Royalists, and the Citizens of Clermont, who in hatred to those of Rion, [Year of our Lord 1590. March.] had a great deal of Zeal for the Kings Party, surprized the City by their intelligence with a Consul, and besieged the Citadel. Florat Seneschal of Auvergne, Commanded on this occasion; Randan comes to relieve the Citadel, and invested both him and his Party in the Town.

The Lords of that Country, amongst others Rostignac the Kings Lieutenant, the Vicount de Lavedan, the Baron de Chaseron, the Marquiss de Curton who commanded the little Army, and d'Effiat, came to disengage their Friends. This could not be without a Battle: it was very obstinate, but, in fine, the Leagners were overthrown. It cost them five hundred Men, whereof there were an hundred Gentlemen▪ and amongst the rest the generous Count de Randan, who being taken Prisoner died of his Wounds in Issoire. Those of the Citadel, having heard of this defeat capitu∣lated, and the Victors returned in great triumph to Clermont.

The Duke of Mayenne was no sooner parted from Mantes, but that City and that of Vernon turned their backs upon him. It was said, that if he could but have left a good Garison there, he had stopt the King upon the Banks of the Seine, and made his Victory vanish; In effect he had neither Implements nor Ammunitions to make a Siege, nor could he keep the Nobility with him any longer, who upon the rumour of a Battle came in all haste to him without any Equipage.

The Wise la Noue was of opinion he should go directly to Paris, where the Victory of Yvry had wonderfully raised the courage of his Friends, and depressed that of the Seize: the Mareschal de Biron, most prevalent in the Council of War, and d'O Surintendant of the Finances hindred it; The first, as it was said, because he feared lest the King, whom he treated as his Scholer, should free himself, if we may so say, from the power of his Ferula, and have the less regard of him, if his business came to be dispatched so soon; The second because he desired rather to reduce Paris by violent means. For he judged that in case it were so, the King would have just cause not only to take away the Cities Revenue, but likewise extort great Ransoms from them, and lay such Imposts as he pleased. Now whatever motive he had, he rested

fifteen days at Mantes, in which space the League did a little recover out of their astonishment, calmed the Peoples fears, and repaired their leaks.

Their Chiefs, that they might gain more time, made some Proposals for an Ac∣commodation. Villeroy first entred into Conference with Plessis Mornay in the Castle of Suindre near Mantes, the Legat procured another at Noisy le Sec, between the Cardinal de Gondy and the Mar••schal Biron, and was also present himself. All very ineffectually for them, because the King, without any delay, prepared himself to besiege Paris.

[Year of our Lord 1590. March and April.] He had already taken Lagny, Provins, Monstereau, Bray on the Seine, and Melun. Some false intelligence put him upon attempting the City of Sens: but he was re∣pulsed by Chanvallon with the loss of three hundred Men. From thence he came and seized on the Castle and Bridge of Sainct Maur des Fossez the Five and twentieth day of April, having fifteen thousand Foot, and little less then four thousand Horse.

Then Paris found they were block'd up. That innumerable and confused multi∣tude of People, without Heads, at least not absolute, without foresight, without Discipline, who apprehended no danger, because they understood it not, and who relied upon their great numbers and strength, had made no provisions for the Belly, nor for War, neither had the Chiefs taken any care to provide against either publick or private necessities. When it came into their thoughts it was too late: the Coun∣tries about them had no Corn nor Forrage, all the Bridges beneath the City were in the Kings power, and the Marne could furnish them with little, because the Harvest that year had been very ill in Champagne. They had scarce any other Stores but three thousand Muids of Corn, and ten thousand Muids of Wine which Givry suffer'd to pass the Bridge of Chamoy, for a present bestow'd upon him of ten thousand Crowns, and out of a secret Complaisance he had for Mademoiselle de Guise, with whom he was mightily smitten.

[month May.] The Duke of Mayennes Orders and their Necessity confer'd the Government of the City on the Duke of Nemours his Brother by the Mother, a young Prince of an active boldness and great vigour. He had then no Men of note about him but the Chevalier d'Aumale, brave, but wild and untractable, and of Soldiers only twelve hundred Lansquenets, as many French, and a thousand Swiss: but he drew Vitry thither with an hundred and fifty Masters, and Berdnrdine de Mendoza Ambassador from Spain, sent for a hundred Horse. In the City were the Princesses of Nemours, Montpensier, d'Aumale, de Guise with her Daughter, and some other Ladies of Qua∣lity, the Spanish Ambassador, the Archbishop of Lyons Keeper of the Seals for the League, the Legat with all his Train, and divers French Prelats, besides the Cardinal de Gondy, who though more Royalist then a Leaguer, would not however forsake his Flock in their necessity, but very charitably relieved them.

It would be very difficult to say which was greater, either the vigilance and cares of the Governor, or the zeal of the Parisians; In a short time they had made great quantities of Powder, repaired the breaches in their Walls, cast up Breast-works and Mounts, cover'd the Suburbs with great Intrenchments, fixed Chains in every Street, filled great numbers of Barrils with Earth to make Barricado's, planted Posts [Year of our Lord 1590. May.] and Bars at all the Avenues, cast seventy five pieces of Cannon, wherewith he fur∣nished the Rampiers, and secur'd the River both above and below with Massive Chains, which were held up by strong Estacado's, and defended by Forts built on either hand.

The Parisians on their part gave the very Furniture of their Kitchins to found their Cannon, each House provided a Labourer to work upon their Fortifications, paid all the poor that put their helping hand, exercised their Soldiery three times a week; and which is more considerable admitted a Garison amongst them, and saw their Country Houses ransack'd and destroy'd without murmurring.

Most of the Handicrafts-men and all Forreigners were gone out of the City, the great Hostels were empty, the substantial Citizens had sent their Families away: yet there remained two hundred thousand Souls, and but Provisions for one Month only, (at the rate of a pound of Bread a day for each Person) besides fifteen hun∣dred Muids of Oats and an hundred Muids of Pulse.

The King in the first place master'd the Bridges of Charenton and Sainct Cloud, (six young Parisians defended themselves three whole days in the Bridge-Tower of Cha∣renton) took Vincennes, besieged St. Denis, and placed Garisons of Light-Horsemen in all the strong Houses for seven or eight Leagues round about; whence they beat the Roads night and day, that nothing passing by, the City might in short time be reduced to Famine. This method after seven or eight days trial, seeming too tedious,

he endeavour'd to draw the Besieged to a Battle, and for that purpose order'd an attaque upon the Fauxbourg Sainct Laurence: but there experimenting their brave defence, and by some other great Skirmishes observing they had yet too much vigour to be forced within their Barricado's, and their Commanders too much prudence to hazard themselves in the Field, he returned to his former design of famishing them.

The Duke of Mayenne was gone to beg some assistance in Flanders, where he had enough to do to endure the pride and affected slow pace of the Spanish Council. In the condition he left Paris he did not believe it could hold out one Month, and not being able to relieve it but by the aid of the Spaniards, he feared he should lose it in saving it, and that they would deliver it only to get it for themselves. At the same time also happens the death of the old Cardinal de Bourbon, who ended his days the Ninth of May at the Castle of Fontenay in Poitou, under the guard of the [Year of our Lord 1590. May.] Lord de la Boulaye. The King had put him into this Lords custody after the taking him out of the hands of the Lord de Chavigny, who was both old and blind, at the very time when the Lords of the League were bargaining with that good Man to set him at liberty.

This fresh accident put him to great trouble, he was in need of a King to fix the Eyes and Veneration of the People, he foresaw the Spaniard would press him to chuse one, and he knew the difficulties that would arise on that side, as also from the Chiefs of his own Party who hindred him from attaining it: all his study was therefore to find out plausible delays to put off this Election, and he did succeed therein as he desired, but such proceeding ruin'd his Party.

The Heads of the League had wisely before-hand disposed the People so, as that this death should cause no alteration. The Faculty of Divinity consulted by the Prevost des Merchands, and by some noted Bourgeois, had made Answer, That Henry of Bourbon could not, because of the scandal, and danger of his relapsing, be admitted to the Crown, if King Charles X. or any other lawful Successor should happen to die, or yield him up his right, or if even the said Prince should obtain Absolution, and that those who died for so holy a Cause, should gain the Palm of Martyrdom, and be Crowned in Heaven as brave Defenders of the Faith.

At five weeks end the Duke of Mayenne could get of the Duke of Parma but four thousand Foot, and two hundred Lances, with which having joyned some two thou∣sand [month June.] French whom he pickt up, or who were sent him by Balagny, he advanced as far as Laon. Immediately the King goes from his Camp with five and twenty hundred Horse, thinking to meet him in the Field and charge him: the Duke had a hint of it, and making use (this time) of great celerity, got under shelter of the Walls of Laon. Whilst the King was harrassing him, St. Pol being detached privately with eight hundred Horse and some Foot, and having gotten together a pretty good Convoy of Provisions, conducted it along the Banks of the Marne, and put it into Paris before the King could get back to his Camp to prevent him.

During the Siege, the War went on variously in the Provinces, I shall mention only the most remarkable passages. Francis de Roussel May-David surprized the Castle of [Year of our Lord 1590. April, May, &c.] [month April, May, &c.] Verneuil, and likewise made himself Master of the City after a very bloody sight, in which John de Dreux Morainville was slain, who was said to be the last Male of the House of Dreux, Issue of Lewis the Gross, by Robert, fifth Son of that King. Lansac had a design upon Mans which was discover'd, and his Troops defeated at Memers (where they waited to see the event) by Hertre Governor of Alencon. He was more unfortunate yet in another Enterprize upon the Town of Mayenne: having taken it and holding the Castle besieged, the same Hertre and Montataire put him to the rout, and cut off or took above twelve hundred Men of two thousand he com∣manded.

The Leagued Gentlemen of Bretagne surprized the City of Sable and attaqued the Castle: Rambouillet (whose Wife had been taken Prisoner in that place) in∣treated the Nobless of the Country to assist him. His two Brothers with as many as they could get together fell upon the Besiegers; the first charge was but with little success; but at the second (when they had gotten some Cannon and a Reinforce∣ment of a thousand Men, sent them by Rochepot Governor of Angers) they broke thorough their Barricado's, pierced even into the Bass-court of the Castle, and followed them so close as they betook themselves to their Heels, but not breaking down the Bridge, the greatest part were kill'd or taken Prisoners.

In Languedoc, Montmorency armed slowly, thinking by such coldness to make them send him the Constables Sword, which other considerations with-held. Albigny

and Lesdiguieres made War in Daufine by taking and re-taking several Forts from each other. The latter being the stronger marched sometimes towards Lyons to assist Maugiron who held one of the Castles of Vienne for the King, and had St. Chaumont for Antagonist. He likewise went frequently towards Provence to help la Valete. Montmorency also passed the Rhosne divers times: but that was to endeavour to lay hands on some places to enlarge his Dominion.

Provence was miserably rent and distracted by three or four Factions, not reckoning the Royalists. The Duke of Savoy had his; the Countess de Sault, and the Count de Carees each theirs. That of the Duke seem'd to be the most predominant, and to draw the two others to his Interests; but the the Countess (it was Christierne d'Agu••rre Widow of Lewis d'Agout Count de Sault) a Woman of great courage, and of a high spirit, would not introduce him into the Province, but to make her [Year of our Lord 1590] self the stronger; and the Count de Carces likewise, not being able to stand upon his own Legs, gave that Duke footing only that he might be enabled to make head against la Valete. For he imagined that being prime Lord of the Country, and Lieutenant of the Forces by Authority of Parliament all the Authority there ought to devolve on him. The Parliament was also mightily divided between these three Factions, and moreover some of the Officers belonging to them, had left them to follow the Kings Party and that of la Valete his Governor. These had withdrawn themselves to Manosque where they affirm'd they were the true Parliament.

During the first heat of these Commotions, the Dukes Money and Practises gave [month January, &c.] him the advantage, the Magistrates of the chief Cities, amongst others Marseilles and Aix, being all for him. A great Assembly of the Clergy and Nobility which was held at Aix in the Month of January, resolved to put the Province under his Protection, and deputed a Bishop and the eldest Consul of the City to him; and after that the Parliament Ordained likewise that he should be called in to defend it; To which they added that the Estates of the Bigarrats (so they named the Royalists) should be confiscate.

As to the rest, it were folly to engage in a Relation of all the several Intrigues, and Exploits of so many Parties, who changing every moment both their Designs and the management of them, did not well know themselves what they would have or do; I shall therefore not mention them, no more then those of several other Provinces. Only of Bretagne let me say that the Prince de Dombes rudely repulsed the Duke de Mercoeur, took Hennebon, Montcontour and Lambale: but could not engage him to a Battle. I shall likewise take notice of the great change at St. Malo's, because it was a place of great importance.

Honorat de Bueil des Fontaines Governor of the Town, lodged in the Castle which [month March.] lies upon the Harbour, and had there stowed all the Riches he had scraped together in the time of his being in favour with King Charles IX. The Malouins being persuaded that he had plotted to introduce a strong Garison into their City, and set the weal∣thiest Merchants at Ransom, conspired to rid their hands of him. Having there∣fore corrupted a Valet de Chambre of his, they scaled the Castle on the Fourteenth of March in the night, and it so hapned that he was kill'd with a Carbine Shot at a Window, whether by chance, or designedly, I know not. After which they plun∣dred his Goods, then got the Duke of Mercoeur to justifie them, and fell in with the League, yet they warily refused to admit of any Soldiers, but kept the Castle them∣selves.

The Affections of considering Men, as well as fortune and success, began to dis∣pose their minds by little and little to favour the King. Pope Sixtus better informed [Year of our Lord 1590. July.] of the condition of both Parties, and comparing the qualities and the manner of that Princes acting with the Duke of Mayennes, did well foresee that he would have the better, and indeed, he received into Rome, then to his Audience, the Duke de Piney deputed from the Catholick Nobility, notwithstanding the threats and pro∣testarions of the Spanish Ambassador, and had sent Order to his Legat in France, that he should make no use of Excommunication, but try all ways of prudence and gentleness to bring back the King.

The People began likewise to be made sensible of the real goodness of this Prince, as he had already taught them to dread his courage. And the Duke of Nevers, who had hitherto remained as it were Neuter in his own Town, after his having consider'd of all the methods likely to convert him, judged none could be either more certain or more Conscious, then wisely to thrust himself between the Huguenots and him, to di∣vide him from them, and so draw him mildly towards the Catholick Church. With

this design he came about the beginning of July, and brought in great numbers of the Gentry by his Interest and Example.

It was about the same time the King recalled the Chancellor de Chiverny, and re∣stored the Seals to him: Montholon had discharg'd himself of them after the death of Henry III. fearing he might be engaged to Seal some thing in favour of the Huguenots, though he still remained of the Kings Party; in which he this year died, honoured by good Men with the Surname of the French Aristides. After his demission the Seals had been managed by the Cardinal de Vendosme, then put into the custody of Ruse Secretary of State, but without any power of using them save by Order of the Ma∣reschal Biron who had a hand in every thing.

About the time of his return, the City of St. Denis surrendred, and a design the Leaguers had contrived upon Senlis miscarried. St. Denis having consumed all their Stores, wherewith it was as little provided for as Paris, made their Composition; which was advantageous enough, because the King desired to lodge there. As to Senlis, Bouteville who was Lieutenant to his Cousin Tore there, walking one night upon the Rampart overheard some People beneath in the Fosse who spake very low, and perceived they planted a Ladder against the Wall: he rouls down a huge Stone from the Parapet which beat the Ladder in pieces and broke the Thigh-bone of one of them; this Fellow not able to get away revealed the whole Conspiracy. They found twelve Soldiers concealed in the House of a Chanoine, who were all Hanged, and with them twenty seven, as well Priests as Monks, in their Ecclesiastical Habits.

There flocked People from all parts to the Siege of Paris: some that till now had been irresolute, were brought in for fear of sinking with a Party they believed could never rise again, others in hopes of Plunder, believing Paris would be left a Prey, [Year of our Lord 1590. June and July] and that they should get Mountains of Gold: many by the express Order of the King. The Prince of Conty brought the Forces of Poitou, Touraine, Anjou and Maine; Humieres sent a Party of those of Picardy; and the Vicount de Turenne being reco∣ver'd of a great fit of Sickness, was brought in a Litter at the head of a thousand Horse and four thousand Foot.

The King was not without great disquiets, the interests and desires of the Catholicks and Huguenots were very different for the gaining of Paris. The former as we have ob∣served, wished he might get in by an Accommodation; the others would have it by force. All agreed in this one point that they were much dissatisfied with him, because the Catholicks urging him to become a Convert, and the Huguenots to revoke the Edict made against them by Henry III. he could not as yet satisfie either the one nor the other, so that from complaining they fell to caballing and conspiring.

In this perplexity he had about the end of May given a Pass-port to some Depu∣ties of Paris, to find out the Duke of Mayenne and exhort him to Peace: but by what motive I know not, presently recalled it again. A Month after finding the Siege drew out in length, and the disturbances caused by the two Parties in his Army, in∣creased more and more, he consented to a conference betwixt the Legat and the Marquiss de Pisany newly returned from his Embassy at Rome. It was held in the Hostel de Gondy* 1.64 in the Fauxbourg St. Germains: but the Propositions on either part were so far distant, that the Cardinal de Gondy who was present, could find no medium to bring them any thing near a conclusion.

After the first fifteen days of the Siege, the People beginning to find some scarcity, they made a review of all Provisions in every House, and they commanded all those [month May and June] that had more then for two Months to carry the overplus to the Markets and to the Bakers; by this means they had Bread at six blanks the pound three weeks together. During which the Populace, allured by those distributions the Spanish Ambassador under-hand made of Pensions to the most Factious, and publickly to the Rascality, of some handfuls of half Sols, stamped with the Arms of Castille, spent their time in singing and dispersing Songs of false news which Madam Montpensier forged from day to day to amuse the Citizens.

At six weeks end, which was the midst of June, Wheat came to be at double the price, and a fortnight after failed them all of a sudden. Then their hunger spoiled their Mirth and turned their lewd Songs into sighs and groans. The poor subsisted some days with Bread made of Bran, then fed upon Herbs, whereof they found good store in many Gardens. Those to whom they had committed the oversight of these things, had not taken timely care to send away such People as were unserviceable, whose number amounted to above five and twenty thousand. These were poor Peasants, or Handycraftsmen; to whose lot the bitter Potion first did chance to fall.

One day great Crowds of them were gathered together at the Gate St. Victor, [Year of our Lord 1590. June.] hoping to get out by a Pass-port they had sent to the King for: but his Council dis∣suaded him from allowing that favour. When those Wretches saw he had refused it, they made so horrible an out-cry, as much startled the whole City. They resolved therefore in the first place to take some order to supply their present necessities; and for this purpose went to search all the Clergymens Houses and Convents, who [☞] were found to be provided, even the very Capucins, for above a twelve-month: they were therefore enjoyned to bestow Food twice a day on all that were in want of Bread. They reckoned seven thousand Families that purchased it for their Money, and five thousand that had no other Money but their grateful Thanks.

The said time expired, their Miseries began to grow greater then before: they be∣thought them of husking and grinding of Oats to make Potage; and because Wine failed in the Cabarets, they invented and distributed I know not what kind of Be∣verage made with Oatmeal and Roots.

In the Month of July Bread rose to a Crown the pound weight, the* 1.65 Septier of Wheat above sixscore Crowns, one Sheep a hundred Livers, and other things in pro∣portion. Amongst the Poor, Dogs, Cats, and Mice were greater dainties, then [month July.] formerly Partridge or Hares; old Unguents, Candles, Grease, and the most fetid Oyls, were used for seasoning their Broths of Herbs or Grass.

For want of Aliments, they were fed with Processions, particular and solemn Vows imposed upon them, Prayers of forty hours long, Sermons twice a day, several Fraternities and Spiritual Assemblies, withall various and false coined Intelligence, and approaching hopes, which though prepared for them a thousand several ways to fit their Palates and stay their Stomachs, proved notwithstanding so thin a Diet as afforded but slender nourishment: There are strange things related of this Famine; Perhaps they may have added somewhat to the truth of the Stories: but certain it is above ten thousand People perished for want of Food. And yet of these poor Wretches, some were so persuaded of the justice of their Cause, and the glory of Martyrdom, that they crawled to the Gates of the Churches there to surrender up their Souls to Almighty God; others were so cowardly, they rather chose to starve in their own Houses then die bravely with their Swords in hand. Some few only leaped over the Walls, and stealing thorough the Enemies Guards, retired to certain Officers who were their Friends.

These being for the most part some Servants of the Kings, did implore his Cle∣mency with such repeated importunities, that he gave leave for three thousand of those wretched Ghosts to come out of the Town, divers whereof were choak'd, so soon as the compassionate Soldiers gave them Bread to eat. The said Commanders perceiving by this, that the King would not use the extreamest severity, took the confidence to let some numbers of them daily pass by, when they were upon the Guard; nay many did even send in small refreshments to their Acquaintance, to their old Landlords, and most particularly to the Ladies; and by their example the com∣mon Soldiers conveyed Meat, Bread, and runlets of Wine over the Works; in ex∣change whereof they received good Cloth and rich Stuffs at an easie rate. It is be∣lieved that this Indulgence made Paris subsist some weeks the longer for it.

[Year of our Lord 1590. July.] In the mean while the Politicks and Royalists were every day making Parties to deliver up the City to the King, or to make the People rise and mutiny: but they were so narrowly watch'd that all their Projects miscarried. They wanted but little of succeeding one day about the end of July, when being assembled at the Palais, they took up Arms and began to cry out Peace or Provisions. It is certain that if Nemours and Vitry had not ran presently thither, all were inclining that way. The Seize, made such grievous complaint to the Parliament, that they condemned a couple to the Gallows; it was a Father and his Son, who were both Hanged on the same Gibber, the miserable fruit of Civil Wars.

The dangers of this day of Peace or Provisions, struck so great a fear into the Chiefs of the League, that they consulted about a Conference for a Peace. Whilst they were deliberating upon it, the King to spur them forwards, attaqu'd their Suburbs and gained them all in one night. The Cardinal de Gondy and the Archbishop of [month August.] Lyons, having secur'd themselves of a Pass-port, the sixth day of August, went and waited on him at St. Anthoine des Champs, where they found him surrounded by great numbers of the Nobless. They set on foot again (with many notable additional Reasons) the Proposition they had already made to him by other hands, That he would grant them a Truce, so as they might go to the Duke of Mayenne and dispose him to treat joyntly with them. The King on his part proposed to them that if they would

make their Capitulation to surrender within ten days and sign it immediately, he would condescend to their demand. That time seemed too short for them, so they returned without concluding any thing.

Some Captains had been often of opinion to attempt Paris by main strength, but the King was ever averse to it: for besides that he was not certain to carry it, he feared, if his Men should force their way, the Huguenots in revenge of the St. Bar∣tholomew, might put all to Fire and Sword, that such a deluge must destroy some of his best Friends there, and the greatest and richest Treasure of his Kingdom be rifled in one day, whereof none should reap any benefit but the rapacious Soldiery. For these reasons, and because he promised himself day after day to reduce it by some Confederacy from within, or at least by Famine, (for his Parasites made him believe it yet in much worse condition then in truth it was) he either durst not, or would not run so great a hazard.

He held himself so secure of gaining his ends, that without making any Efforts, or troubling his Head about the assistance they expected, he diverted himself in seeking [Year of our Lord 1590. August.] new Mistresses, even within the Monasteries, with as great security and leasure as if he had been quietly lodged in his Louvre. By his example, most of his Officers ha∣ving little or no employment, spent their time in the like Conquests, and such as could not otherwise have any, bought Parisian Ladies of Pleasure; who disabled some in the service, and corrupted the faith of many others.

The same day of the Conference at St. Anthoine, the Duke of Mayenne arrived at Meaux with five or six thousand Men, most of them Cavalry, drawn out of Lorrain, Champagne, Cambresis and Picardy. From thence he sent word of his arrival to the Parisians, and gave them hopes of the sudden coming of the Duke of Parma; who for two Months did not move, whether foreseeing that in his absence the Prince of Orange would over-run part of his Conquests of the Low-Countries, or feared King Philip would appoint him a new Successor, or that he doubted the success of this Expedition. However it hapned they were fain to send a very express and reiterated Order out of Spain to make him march. He took for this purpose Twelve thousand Foot, three thousand five hundred Horse, and fifteen hundred Wagons loaden with Ammunition, departed from Valenciennes the sixth day of August, and advanced to Meaux by prefixt Stages, encamping after the Roman mode, in such places as he had caused to be exactly survey'd, and which he compared with his Maps at every turn.

The King who thought he never durst have stir'd out of the Low-Countries, nor engage himself so far in France, was much astonished when he had certain notice of his arrival there, the Two and twentieth of August, and that having reposed his Army four or five days, he was come to lodge at Claye. After he had held several Councils, and heard their divers opinions upon so important a business, he raised his Siege the Nine and twentieth of the Month, with intention to challenge him to Battle, and oppose his Attempts.

There was above Chelles a place very commodious and very advantageous to En∣camp, the two Armies had the same design of seizing on it: The Kings Light Horse beat off those of Parma; and there it was that the said Duke (having from an emi∣nence beheld and observed the number and disposition of the Royal Army) changed the desire he once had of fighting them, and instead of the Musquet and Pike, made his Soldiers take up the Matock and Spade, to intrench with all speed in the neighbour∣ing Marish.

Now to demonstrate that he did not act at random, but that he walked by the just Rules of Military Art, he had publickly reported, and even told the Herauld the same thing, who was sent from the King to defie him to Battle, that he would oblige [Year of our Lord 1590. September.] him to raise his Siege of Paris, and would open one of the Rivers, by forcing a Town even in his sight. After therefore, the two Armies had remained six days close by each other, upon the seventh, there hapning a great Fog, and the Duke having first seized on the chief Posts near Lagny, he attaqued that place by Cannon Shot, the River betwixt. The breach made, in a short time he throws a Bridge of Boats over, gives an assault, and gained it so soon, that the Troops which the Mareschal d'Aumont was leading about by the Bridge at Gournay, within two little Leagues below it, could not get thither time enough.

It then seemed as if the chance were turned: the Parisians who had fasted so long, had Provisions in abundance brought them from Beausse by Carts; and on the con∣trary the Kings Army, (for the taking of Lagny deprived him of the River of Marne, and the valiant Duke of Nemours scowring the Country cut off all Convoys by Land) began to feel some want, and were three or four days without any Ammu∣nition

Bread. Then the Soldiers fell a murmurring and were ready to mutiny, the Chiefs accuse one another for the ill managment of the Siege of Paris, the Nobility desire to be dismiss'd since there was no likelihood of a Battle; the hatred between the Catholicks and Huguenots grew hotter and higher; as did the jealousies be∣tween the Servants of the present King, and those belonging to the former Court, who ever kept a Cabal by themselves, and did their utmost to discredit each other upon all occasions.

Thereupon the King called a Council to know what he must do amidst these Dis∣orders. He met with nothing but confused advice, apprehension and disunion; so that it was no time to take a resolution, but a necessity to decamp. He turned therefore towards Senlis, passed the Oyse at Creil with more precipitation then should have been upon a good retreat, and after an endeavour to compose them again by the taking of Clermont in Beauvoisis, he puts a part of them into the Towns about Paris, sent the rest with the Nobility into the Provinces, and could not keep with himself above seven or eight hundred Horse.

When he had passed the Oyse, the Dukes of Parma and Mayenne came out of their Intrenchments. It is said the former had the curiosity to visit Paris incognito, whither Vitry conducted him, and observing the Fauxbourgs quite ruined, the Shops empty and unfurnished, most of the Streets deserted, the People with dejected looks and meager Faces, a melancholy silence in all parts, in stead of the mirth and jollity [Year of our Lord 1590. September.] he expected to find; it begot more pity in him to behold their sorrow and miseries, then joy for his having deliver'd them.

After this the two Dukes spread their Forces over the Country of Brie, and regained all the little places. They would willingly have open'd the Seine as they had un∣stop'd the Marne; the Duke of Parma to that effect besieged Corbeil. He thought it would be a work but of five or six days: but wanting Powder, and the Governors of the places for the League supplying him but unwillingly, and in small Parcels, it took him up a whole Month. In the mean time his Soldiers gorging themselves [month October.] with unripe Grapes, got the Dysentery, whereof above three thousand died. In fine he took the place by Storm the Sixteenth of October: but that done he begins his march towards the Low-Countries, not to be staid by the most earnest intreaties of the Duke of Mayenne. He was much dissatisfied with his sloath and jealousie, however he left him Eight thousand Men, and promised to return the following year with greater Forces, advising him to hazard nothing in his absence, but to entertain the King all along with Treaties of Peace.

Before his departure he had the displeasure of seeing his Conquest of Corbeil lost in one night, which had cost him so many Men, and so much time. Givry Governor of Brie with his Troops which were in Melun took it by Escalado. The King having drawn his together, followed him in his rear to the Arbre de Guise. At his re∣turn, being come to refresh himself at St. Quentin, he there learn'd that Charles de Humieres his Lieutenant in Picardy, had gained the City of Corbie by the Petard and Escalado, kill'd the Governor, and put the Garison to the edge of the Sword. The Publick suffer'd there an irreparable loss, by the destruction of the most part of the rare Manuscripts which were in the Library of St. Peters Abby.

[month March, &c.] In the Provinces, the Duke of Lorrain conquer'd Villefranche upon the Frontiers of Champagne, but raised his Siege most shamefully from before Saincte Menehoud. As to Bretagne, the Naval Force of Spain being entred into the Channel of Blavet, put five thousand Men ashoar commanded by Juan d'Aquila, who after he had razed a Fort built there by the Prince of Dombes, and then in conjunction with the Duke of Mercoeur forced the City of Hennebond, erected two great Forts at the chops of the Channel, with design to maintain so important a Post.

Lesdiguieres became absolute in Daufine, by the reduction of the City of Grenoble. [Year of our Lord 1590. March, &c.] The Isere divides it in two parts, which are joyned with a Bridge, he gained that by Escalado which lies at the Foot of the Hill, less then the other by two thirds: but Albigny stopt him for three weeks at the end of the Bridge, and might have hindred him from passing further, if the People tired with the War had not forced him to Capitulate. It was express'd in the Articles, That he should have three Months time to choose his Party, and that if he took the Kings, he should hold his Government. He waved the advantage, and chose rather to keep to what his Religion and Promise en∣gaged him to.

The King of Spain was satisfied, that if he could but wrest Provence out of the hands of the French, he should be Master of the Mediterraneum, and break their Al∣liance with the Turk, their Communication with Italy, and their Trade into the

Levant: he therefore gave a Fleet of forty seven Galleys to the Duke of Savoy, and allowed him to make Levies in Milanois and the Kingdom of Naples. Whilst this Fleet was preparing the Duke raised a Land Army, which he intended to be of Ten thousand Foot and two thousand Horse. With these he entred into Provence, being invited thereto by a famous Deputation of that Country who waited upon him at Nice. When he arrived at Merargues, he took Horse with seven more, and rode post to Aix the next day. The City made him a more solemn Reception then ever they had done to any Prince; and some days after appearing in Parliament, he by a so∣lemn Decree had the Title given him of Governor and Lieutenant General of the Pro∣vince under the Crown of France.

Both the Kings Party and that of the League were equally tormented with Discords and Factions. In that of the League the Duke of Savoy, the Duke of Mercoeur, and the Duke of Joyeuse, drew to themselves, the one Provence, the other Bretagne, and the third Languedoc. The Duke of Mayenne had conceived a cruel jealousie for the Reputation of the Duke de Nemours, the affection the City of Paris bare to him, and for that their common Mother supported and seemed willing to make this younger Brother become his equal. Wherefore he flatly denied him the Government of Nor∣mandy; and after this there never was any more real trust or confidence between them▪ on the contrary these two half Brothers watch'd each other as they had been sworn Enemies, and endeavour'd all they could to break one anothers measures.

On the other hand the Seize having it in their Heads to unite together all the great Cities of the Kingdom under a Republican form of Government, and for that pur∣pose relying upon the power of the Spaniard, who notwithstanding had quite ano∣ther aim then theirs, fell into a hatred of the Duke of Mayenne, as well because he opposed their design, as because he had dissolved the Council of Forty, and did not [month October.] admit them in the management of Affairs.

Amongst the Royalists were more Factions yet, not all so violent, because every one had some respect for the King. Of the Catholicks as well as Huguenots which were about him, there were two sorts, some who pressed for his change in Religion: [Year of our Lord 1590] others who hindred it. And of these likewise there were such who solicited it, and yet would not have it: others that opposed it, and yet would have it so. The Zealous Huguenots, whereof Plessis had greatest Authority, not having yet been able to obtain an Edict of him in favour of their Religion, and finding he inclined by little and little towards the Catholick, resolved they would strengthen themselves with Forreign Aid. And in this Prospect engaged him to demand some both in England and Germany, so to beset, and keep him closer united with the Protestant Princes.

He met likewise from abroad with another great cause of discontent. Pope Six∣tus V. had conceived a very high esteem for him, an extream contempt for the League, and a private hatred for the Spanish Government, which was much more dreadful to him then all the Hereticks. He had heaped up five Millions of Gold in the Castle St. Angelo, the Spaniards importuned him to open his Chests for relief of the Catholick Party, but he refused absolutely, and that with words as sharp as their demands were arrogant. Thereupon he happen'd to die the Seven and twentieth of the Month of August; His Successor Ʋrban VII. who proved to be of the same mind, lived but thirty days, and 'twas suspected the Spaniards shortned the lives both of the one and other. Gregory XIV. who was elected in the place of Ʋrban, being a Milanese by Birth, and perhaps apprehending, as he was very timorous, that they might soon dispatch him after his Predecessors, espoused the passions of his King, and publickly engaged himself by promising assistance of Men and Money to the [month December.] League.

[Year of our Lord 1591. January.] The beginning of the year 1591. was made memorable by two Enterprizes, one of the Chevalier d'Aumales upon the City of St. Denis, the other the Kings upon Paris; they both miscarried. The Chevalier was by night gotten into St. Denis, by means of some People, who having passed the Fosse upon the Ice, screwed open the Gate, and let down the Draw-bridge. When he was come into the midst of the Town, Dominique de Vic, who was newly made Governor, goes forth into the Streets with ten or twelve Horse, making a huge noise, as if great Company were with him. He puts the Assailants to a full stop, then feeling their Pulses, a little, afterwards charged them so smartly, that he beat back two hundred Men who were soremost, upon the Body that came behind; Then all betook them to flight; The Chevalier with fifteen or sixteen of his, lay dead in the Street, not without some suspicion of being kill'd by his own Party. This was in the night between the second and third of January the Eve of St. Genevieue, not very favourable to the Parisians.

As to the Enterprise upon Paris, the Twentieth of the same Month, sixty of the most resolute Captains, disguised like Peasants, and leading Horses loaden with Meal (for the City began to grow in want) had order to seize upon the Gate St. Honore. [Year of our Lord 1590. January.] The Politiques who had notice to be in a Body at the Court of Guard, would have joyned them, five hundred Cuirassiers, and two hundred Arquebusiers concealed in the Fauxbourg, would have followed, and these again would have been back'd by twelve hundred Men, then the Swiss should have marched with several Waggons loaden with Pontons, Ladders and Hurdles to scale it in several parts. At the same time the King stood at the entrance of the Fauxbourg to give Orders; but finding the Gate St. Honore filled up with Earth, he judged his Design had taken wind and retired.

The City of Paris being hourly threatned with the like dangers, the Duke of Mayenne was forced to bring in a Garison of Spaniards; However to avoid reproach, he would not order it of himself, but refer'd the business to the Parliament; who concluded after great Debate and Contentions, it should be so. By vertue of their Decree he put four thousand into Paris, and five hundred in Meaux; a sufficient number to make good his Command, but not so many as to make them Masters there.

[month February.] The inconvenience of the Season which was very sharp, could not hinder the King from besieging the City of Chartres. The Garison was but two hundred Soldiers, but there were three thousand Citizens, who believing they did maintain the Cause of God and of the Virgin, made the Siege much longer and much more difficult then was expected. He was twice or thrice of the mind to raise it: Chiverny who was concerned for the recovery of that place, because he had the Government of the Chartrain, and all his Estate lay thereabouts, was the only Man that obliged him not [month April.] to give over. This obstinacy of his proved happy in the end, for the Town sur∣rendred the Eighteenth day of April.

The Duke of Mayenne could not make a diversion by attaquing Chafteau-Thierry; the taking whereof was very easie: the Governor, who was the Son of Pinard Se∣cretary of State, defended himself so ill, that he was accused of Treason. His Fa∣ther and himself were hugely put to it, and got out of the Briars rather by the in∣tercession of Friends then any justification of themselves.

The length of the Siege of Chartres, as doubtful at five weeks end, as the first day, emboldned the Tiers Party, to hold up their Heads. The young Cardinal de Bourbon, a vain and ambitious Prince, was Head and Author of it. He thought the good Catholicks (tired with the tedious delays the King made for his being instructed) would confer the Crown on him as being the nearest Prince of the Blood, and in this imagination had made a Cabal, and sent to Rome to treat with the Pope concerning that matter.

At the same time his Brother the Count de Soissons, was contriving another, which would have mightily perplexed the King, and made him forfeit his Credit amongst Huguenots. The Countess of Guiche offended because the King did not now respect [Year of our Lord 1591. April.] her as he had, to be reveng'd of him, re-kindled the love that Count once had for Madam Catharine his Sister, and so well managed the intrigue, that their Wedding was ready to be consummate: but the King having discover'd the designs of either; that of the Cardinal de Bourbon by means of the Cardinal de Lenoncour, who revealed all his secrets; that of the Princess by the treachery of a disgraced Chambermaid, took such effectual order as removed all his apprehensions.

The Negociations for Peace began anew after the taking of Chartres. Whilst Villeroy was setting them on foot, there was an Assembly of the Heads of the League, who all met either in Person, or by their Deputies, in the City of Reims, to settle their concerns and the methods for making Peace or War. A Peace would have blasted all their ambitious pretensions; and they could no longer carry on the War without a King, nor maintain and support a King without the assistance of Spain. To this effect they deputed the President Janin to that Prince; who gave him fa∣vourable Audience twice, and afterwards sent him to confer with one of his Ministers: By whose discourse the President discover'd the intentions of Philip, which were, to Assemble the Estates General that they might bestow the Crown of France upon him that should Marry his Daughter Isabella, as the nearest Princess of the Blood Royal; upon which condition he promised to send such numerous Forces into France, as should drive out the the King of Navarre, and withal offer'd ten thousand Crowns per Month to maintain the Duke of Mayenne.

He founded his hopes upon the charms of his Gold, the affections of the Seize, and the Cabals of the Friers Mendicants, and other Religious Orders very powerful,

and at that time devoted to Spain, by whose means he hoped to gain the greater Cities. The Pope aimed at the same thing, and treated the Seize as Men of great importance. He fancied the time was now come to suppress all Heresies; and that his Popeship might not lose the glory of it, he resolved to joyn his Spiritual with the Temporal Power to destroy them. He put forth two Monitories, the one [month March.] directed to the Prelats and Ecclesiasticks: the other to the Nobility, Magistrates and People. By the first, he Excommunicated them, if within fifteen days they did not withdraw from the Obedience, Territories and their Attendance on Henry de Bourbon, and within fifteen more deprived them of their Benefices. By the second, he exhorted them to do the same, if not he would turn his Paternal goodness and love into the severity of a Judge. In both of them he declared Henry of Bourbon Excommunicate, Relapsed, and as such fallen from all right to his Kingdoms and Seigneuries. Marcellin Landriano the Popes Referendary, was the Bearer of them, and contrary to the sentiments of the Duke of Mayenne, published them in all the Cities of the League about the end of the Month of April. [month April.]

To the same end the Pope raised Eight thousand Foot and a thousand Horse, of whom he made his Nephew Hercules Sfondrata General, and to make him the more [Year of our Lord 1591. May.] worthy that Command, he invested him with the Dutchy of Montemarcian* 1.66 with most solemn Ceremony in the Church of Sancta Maria Major.

About this time the Marquiss de Maignelay who had promised the King to return to his Obedience with la Fere upon Oyse, whereof he was Governor, was assassinated in the midst of the City, by the Vice-Seneschal of Montelimar named Colas, and the Lieutenant of the Duke of Mayennes Guards, who left the Government of it to Colas. The King going to Compeigne to favour this Reduction, very angry it was prevented, came back to Mantes. From thence he put in execution an Enterprise he had upon the City of Louviers. It was taken at noon day by the Mareschal Biron; Raulet having greatly contributed to this Exploit, had the Government of it. Fon∣taine-Martel Governor of the place, and Claude de Saintes Bishop of Evreux, were taken Prisoners. Martel redeem'd himself by paying a Ransom, the Bishop for being too hot, was detained in Prison and there died.

The Popes Bull had scarce any other effect, but to excite the Huguenots to demand an Edict, give an opportunity to those of the* 1.67 third Party to advance and strengthen their Cabal, and provoke the Parliaments of the one and the other Party to make bloody Decrees. The Chamber of Chaalons, a Member of that which was sitting at Tours, by a Decree of the Sixth of June,

cancell'd and revoked them as null, abusive, scandalous, seditious, full of Impostures, contrary to the Holy Decrees, Canons, Councils, and the Rights of the Gallican Church, ordained they should [month June.] be torn and burnt by the hands of the Hangman; that Landriano should be appre∣hended, ten thousand Livers Reward to whomsoever should deliver him to Justice, forbidding all the Kings Subjects to lodge or harbour him; as likewise to carry either Silver or Gold to Rome, or to sollicite the Provisions or Expeditions of Be∣nefices; And an Act to be given to the Sollicitor General for the appeal he was to bring to the next Council legally Assembled.

The Kings Council were divided into two parts; the one sat at Tours, where the Cardinal de Vendosme presided; the other at Chartres with the Chancellor de Chiverny; the King assembles them together at Mantes, to deliberate on so important an Affair. After he had heard their opinions, he puts forth a Declaration in the Month of July, [month July.] wherein he gives notice to his Parliaments, that all other things laid aside they should proceed against Landriano as they should in justice see cause, and exhorted the Prelats to meet and advise together according to Holy Decrees, that the Ecclesiastical Disci∣pline might not be lost, nor the People destitute of their Pastors. [Year of our Lord 1591]

On the other hand he thought convenient, notwithstanding the vehement opposi∣tions of the Cardinal de Bourbon, to grant a Declaration in favour of the Huguenots,

which revoked all Edicts that had been put forth against them, with the Judgments that had ensued thereupon, and restored, revived and confirmed all the Edicts of Pacification: (but then added these words) by provision only, and until such time as he should be able to re-unite all his Subjects by a happy Peace.

This clause served as a Vehicle to make it pass in the Parliament of Tours.

As to the business of the Bulls, this Company thundred lowder yet, then the Chamber at Chaalons, and out-vying them,

declared Gregory an Enemy of the Churches Peace and Union, Enemy to the King and State, adhering to the Con∣spiracy of Spain, favourer of Rebels, and guilty of the Parricide of King Henry III.

On the contrary that of Paris pronounced,

That this Decree was null and of no

force, made by People without power, Schismaticks and Hereticks, Enemies to God, and destroyers of his Church, ordered it should be torn in full Audience, and the Fragments burnt on the Marble Table by the Executioner, of the Haute Justice.

The Clergy also assembled at Mantes, pursuant to the Kings Declaration. They were to examine the Popes Bulls, and to settle some Orders for the Provisions of Benesices. As to the first point the Assembly made a Decree,

which declared the said Bulls to be null, unjust, suggested by the Enemies of the Kingdom, protesting notwithstanding that they would not depart from their obedience to the Holy See.

[month August.] To the second, they propounded many Expedients. The Archbishop of Bourges; this was Renauld de Bealne, made a motion of creating a Patriarch in France, and he believed his Quality of Primat (in the absence of the Archbishop of Lyons who was for the League) would acquire him that Dignity; others propounded to sum∣mon a National Council. The King was very glad they mentioned those two Expe∣dients which would frighten the Pope, but he indeed would allow of neither the one nor the other; so that nothing was resolved upon.

Soon after this Assembly was transfer'd to Chartres, because the Duke of Mayenne [Year of our Lord 1591] had made an attempt to surprise the City of Mantes and the Prelats that were there. [month July.] During the four Months they sat, the King besieged Noyon: He invested it the Four and twentieth of July. Three Reliefs that endeavour'd to get in being beaten, and the Vicount de Tavanes, who commanded one, taken Prisoner: the Duke of Mayenne resolved to put in some himself with all his Forces. He had Two thousand Horse, and eight thousand Foot, who shewed the greater eagerness to fight, because the Kings Army were fewer by a third part: but the Spaniards refused to follow his motions, and obliged him to pass the Somme for security. The Besieged finding themselves abandoned, parlied, and made their Composition to quit the place the Eighteenth of August if they were not relieved. The day being come they sur∣rendred.

[month March, &c.] There was no Province so embroiled as Provence. The Marsellois had refused the Duke of Savoy, and then received him by the practises of the Countess de Sault the Second day of March. His success did not answer the reputation of his Forces. It was but an ill presage of his Expedition, the defeating a Body of his Army com∣manded by the Count de Martinengues at Esparton de Palieres. He had block'd up Berte with several Forts; La Valete too weak to relieve it, called Lesdiguieres to his aid, these two joyned together, razed them: but Lesdiguieres being recalled into Daufine for fear of the Popes Forces who were passing that way, the same Martinen∣gues and the Count de Carces blocked it again.

The Duke of Savoy was then gone into Spain, whence he brought fifteen Galleys loaden with Ammunition, and a thousand Natural Spaniards. He landed them at Cieutat, and put his Galleys into the Port of Marseilles: but found things mightily changed there since his departure. One Lewis de Casaux who had raised his Credit in that City by means of the Money the Duke had given him to distribute, and by the practises of the Countess, found so much relish in ruling the Roast, that he became absolute Master of Marseille, so that he alone made their Consuls. The following year he put Lewis d'Aix into the Office of Viguier * 1.68, and joyned him in his Govern∣ment. He made the People believe the Duke would reduce them to slavery, and awe them with two Citadels, whereas they ought to preserve their Town for a most Christian King who was to be chosen by honest Frenchmen, and that he had order from the Duke of Mayenne to look after it.

The Duke spared nothing to gain him: he order'd his Galleys to retire to Genos [Year of our Lord 1591] to take away all Umbrage from the Marseillois, threw and squander'd away a great [month August.] deal of Money amongst that fickle People to no purpose; and finding all was in vain, he went to Aix to press forward the Blocade of Berre. The Count de Carces, by In∣telligence with the Inhabitants, got three hundred Men privately into the place, Mesplez who was Governor of it, beat them back and drove them out with incredible valour, and surrendred not till the Twentieth of August: but it was after the en∣during two assaults, and giving so many proofs of his vertue, the the Duke, who had been Spectator, offer'd him the General Lieutenancy of his Army, if he would have entred into his Service.

There ended the Conquests of the Duke of Savoy: after this he met with nothing [month September.] almost but Disgraces. Amadea his Bastard Brother, who had six or seven thousand Men, (some being of the Popes Forces) very ill Soldiers, had besieged the Fort of Morestel, which would have contributed much towards the regaining of Grenoble;

He there suffer'd a notable loss. Lesdiguieres having drawn his Men together, was not satisfied he had made him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his Siege, but went and attaqued him at Pontchara where he was intrencht, broke in upon him, routed him, kill'd three thousand of his Men upon the place, the Eighteenth of September, and the day following took two thousand Italians at discretion who were fled into the Castle of Avalon. His Soldiers massacred three hundred, the remainder he sent packing to their own homes with white Staves in their hands.

In the mean time a kind of feud was crept in between the Duke and the Countess de Sault: he believed she obstructed his designs, and she imagined he despised her, be∣cause he had refused to give her the Government of Berre for her Son. La Valete on the one side, and Casaux on the other, both for their own ends, increased that Dis∣cord, and made him be ill thought of by the People, who greatly suspected him, [month October.] especially when he had master'd the City of Arles by means of Biord Lieutenant in the Seneschaussee.

Now when he perceived he could be at no certainty with the Countess, he caused both her and her Son to be apprehended: but she was so fortunate as to make her escape in the habit of a Swiss, and her Son like a Peasant, and took Sanctuary at Marseille. He would needs have her again per force, and to that end surprized the Abby St. Victor: but Casaux who desired no better opportunity to render him odious to the People, constrained his People to dislodge and retire out of Cannon-reach.

To compleat his misfortune he received another shock. He besieged Vinon which hindred the bringing of Corn to the City of Aix, the Town lay as it were open, there being in many places nothing but a bare Wall of dry Stones laid upon one another, but Mesplez was in it, and that was a good Bulwark. This brave Captain [Year of our Lord 1591] sustained his attaques for three days together, and gave la Valete time to come to his [month December.] relief. The Duke as much the more numerous went forth to fight him: but lost a great many of his Men, and all his Bagage; which hapned the Fifteenth of De∣cember.

Afterwards, many of the places that had sided with the Duke, renounc'd him. However he persisted in his design, and the engaging himself in greater Expences, though he found by the loss of six or seven thousand of his Men slain in several Rencounters, and a million of Gold thrown away in Presents, that it was very diffi∣cult, though he were brave and the Prince the most discreet and most liberal in the World, to get any advantage against so many great Warriers, with such unexpe∣rienc'd raw Soldiers as his were, or fix the inconstant humour of the Provencaux.

[month August.] The Kings prosperity was disturbed by the unexpected accident of the Duke of Guises evasion, who made his escape from the Castle of Tours where he was Prisoner. This young Prince had for this purpose made choice of the day called the Assumption of our Lady about noon, when the City Gates were shut as is usual all the Dinner time; Having corrupted one part of his Guards and deluded the other, he was let down from the top of a Tower by a Rope brought to him in the belly of a Lute, to which a Stick was tied cross that he might sit securely thereon in his descent to the Strand. He found Horses laid ready for him on the farther side of the River, and spur'd away to St. Avertin a League off from Tours, where Maison-forte Son of la Chatre attended with fifty Horse, and convoy'd him to Selles, and some days after∣wards to Bourges.

It was believed the Ladies about Queen Louisa, who were then at Chenonceaux, had greatly contributed towards this escape, and Rouvroy in love with one of them was suspected to have granted her this one favour upon promise of another. The Parliament would have put him to infinite trouble, had not Souvray Governor of Tours, befriended him mightily in his justification before the King.

As the King was much alarmed, dreading the great name of Guise, and the grow∣ing fortune of a young Prince, who was said to resemble his Father in all things; so the League was over-joy'd; they made Bonfires every where, and the Pope gave publick Thanks to God for his deliverance. But the jealousie the Duke of Mayenne conceived caused the fears of the one, and the promising hopes of the other quickly to vanish; He apprehended his Nephew would easily acquire the same good will and fondness of the People they had shewn to his Father, therefore did not reckon him a new Reinforcement but a new Trouble and Competitor: nevertheless he sent la Feuillade to congratulate his escape, and carry him some Money, desiring they might [Year of our Lord 1591] meet to communicate together of their common Affairs. [month September.]

The Prince of Conty and the Vicount de la Guierche, both Lieutenant Generals in Poitou, the Prince for the King, and the other for the League, fought to extremity.

La Guierche met with divers shocks, whereof the greatest was at the taking of Mont∣morillon, where he lost his Cannon and all his In••••ntry, (he had left them there having shamefully raised the Siege of Belac) a Month after he himself unfortunately perished: for running to the rescue of his Castle of la Guierche, (nigh Loches in Touraine) which was surprized by a Gentleman named Salerne; the Lords d'Abin, and de la Roche-Posay, who had notice of his march, got five hundred Gentlemen together, and with those charged him so briskly, that all his people fled; and as he thought to save himself in the Ferry-boat on the Creuse, so many men jumpt in after him, that they sunk in the River and were all drowned.

Bretagne was not only vexed by the French, but by Strangers too. The Duke of Mercoeur had brought in the Spaniards, and given them the Port of Blavet for a retreat, where in a short time they so well fortified themselves, that it was very apparent they in∣tended to settle there. The King had likewise order'd Three thousand English to go into that Country, sent over to him by Queen Elizabeth, besides those that were land∣ed at Diepe for the Siege of Rouen.

The Prince de Dombes, with this re-inforcement, went and besieged Lambale; when it was at the point of Surrendring; the Besieged re-assumed Courage, and the Besie∣gers lost theirs all of a sudden, upon the death of the prudent la Noüe. He being got on the top of a Ladder to see what they were doing within the place, was wounded in the Head of which he died; Bemoaned equally, almost, by Friend and Enemy, a very great Soldier, and which was more, a very honest Gentleman. His Son inhe∣rited his good qualities. He had been Prisoner four years in the Low-Countries, and being upon his deliverance now come to rejoyce with his Father, found the last Duty he could ever pay him, was to attend him to his Grave.

Both Parties were now expecting their Foreign Supplies: the Duke of Mayenne went to Verdun to receive some Forces from the Pope; they were in bad condition, their Foot ruined with the Dysentery, and their Horse strangely harassed and partly dismounted. Those from Germany who came to the King, almost at the same time, were not so; there were Eleven thousand Foot and five hundred Reisters, these Levies being made at the Expences of the Queen of England, and the free Towns of Germany, under the favour of George Marquiss of Brandenbourg, Casimir Prince Palatine, with some other Princes, and by the Negociation of the Vicount de Turenne. The King going to meet them with Two thousand Horse, order'd them to be Muster'd in the Plain of Vandy on Michaelmas-day, and from thence went directly with the news of this conjuction to the Dukes of Lorrain, Mayenne, and Montemarcian, who durst not [Year of our Lord 1591] stir out of the Gates of Verdun. The latter being withal in great disorder upon the [month September.] news he received from Italy, of the sickness of Pope Gregory his Uncle, who died the Fifteenth of October.

[month November.] Whilst the King was in those parts, he would needs secure himself of Sedan. The Dukes of Lorrain, Montpensier, and Nevers sought to gain the Heiress for their Sons, the first by force, the other two by friendship: but besides that the difference in Re∣ligion was an obstruction to all the three, he thought it would make them too power∣ful on that Frontier. And therefore chose rather to bestow her on the Vicount de Turenne, whose Estate was far distant from thence, and to whom he should thereby acquit himself of those great obligations he owed him. He therefore honoured him with the Staff of Mareschal a of France, that he might not appear too unequal to match her, then went himself into Sedan to conclude the Marriage. The Mareschal the night before that of his Nuptials, surprized Stenay by Escalado; from whence he afterwards made a brisk War against the Duke of Lorrain.

The Marriage Consummate, the King took his way to Noyon, and from thence at the instance of the Queen of England, who apprehended lest the Spaniards should settle themselves upon the Coasts of Normandy, he sent the Mareschal de Biron to lay Siege to Rouen. The Duke of Aiguillon, Son of the Duke of Mayenne, Governor of that Province for the League, was but lately gone thence, and had left the absolute Government to the Marquiss de Villars. This Lord had about him Philip Desportes Abbot de Tyron, a no less crafty Courtier then delicious Poet who had disposed him to admit of Propositions for an Accommodation, in hopes the King would let him enjoy the Fruits of his Benefices in that Country. Now those that had obtained the grant of them from the King, caused his demands to be rejected with disdain; In revenge whereof, he prevailed with Villars to break the Treaty, and possessed him with quite contrary Sentiments. Thus a private Interest often, or twelve thousand [✚] Francs between particular Men, defeated the King of an infinite advantage, the ill success whereof brought him into a most troublesom Labyrinth.

[month November.] On St. Martins day Birons Forces approached near Rouen. He had besides his French three thousand Englishmen, commanded by the Earl of Essex Favourite to Queen Elizabeth, whom he had been to meet by Sea as far as Boulogue. They would at first needs shew some little bravado, and fired their small Guns: but they were soon beaten off by a stout Salley: and the Mareschal being as yet too weak, went and took Gournay and Caudebec. That done he comes again before Rouen, and en∣deavoured to turn the little Rivers of Robec and Aubete another way, on which the Town Mills were placed; he succeeded as to the former, but not the latter. In the mean time the Citizens of Rouen intending to shew themselves more brave then those [Year of our Lord 1591] of Paris, made many great Sallies: to let the Besiegers know, it would be no easie [month November.] task to approach their Walls, and that they would rather chuse to fight* 1.69 then to fast.

The Duke of Mayenne found himself at this time in the greatest distress that ever he was in during his whole Life; Having no Forces to oppose so powerful an Army as the Kings, he saw the loss of Rouen before his Eyes, afterwards that of all Normandy, then of Paris, and by consequence of all France. Those that were to help him, gave him most trouble; the Duke of Nemours diverted one part of his Forces to erect a Soveraignty about Lyonnois; the Duke of Guise labour'd to make himself Head of the Party as his Father had been, and the young Nobless did already run after him, as the Seize owned him for their Chief.

Above all this he dreaded the Spaniards, who told him plainly they would let him perish, if he employ'd not his Interest and Credit to make the Crown fall to the In∣fanta. They bragg'd withall they had a way to attain their ends in despite of him; which was to divide and share the Kingdom amongst the Grandees, and the most re∣nowned Captains, and draw the chiefest Cities to them by giving them their liberty: so that France had been reduced to the same condition as Germany; a tempting bait both for the Lords and for the People.

But nothing lay so heavy upon him as the Seize, he hated them to the utmost, and was in the same measure hated by them; Nor did they let slip any opportunity to decry his Conduct, sent frequent Complaints, Remonstrances, and Deputations to him, regarded not his Orders, no more then he did their Memorials, wrote of their own Heads to the King of Spain, to offer him the Crown, had engaged their Cabal to take a new Oath of Union, which did exclude all the Princes of the Blood from the Throne, and forced all those that would not take it, amongst others the Cardinal de Gondy, to depart the City. Nothing was left to make them Masters, but to rid their hands of a part of the Parliament, who observed them night and day, and cross'd their designs. The Duke of Mayenne was no less afraid then they were, fore∣seeing clearly enough, that sooner or later, that first Parliament of the Kingdom would return to the King, and draw the People after them: he was therefore well enough pleased the Seize diminished their Authority, and hoped that by dashing so fiercely against each other, they would both be destroy'd to his advantage.

The thing hapned as he wished, but with a Consequence quite different from his intention. The Parliament had absolv'd one named Brigard, whom the Seize had accused of holding intelligence with the Royalists: the most zealous of that Faction resolved upon revenge. To this end they created a secret Council of ten amongst [Year of our Lord 1591] themselves, by whose advice all things of importance was to be dispatched. This [month November.] Council concluded they must make away the President Brisson, Larcher Counsellor in Parliament, and Tardif Counsellor at the Chastelet, who broke their measures, and who besides were particular Enemies to some of them. They first attempted to do it by some Assassins, but those Hirelings, as it frequently happens, having discover'd this Plot to the Parties themselves, to gain a double Reward; they resolved to act more openly. They drew up, therefore, a Sentence of Death against those three, and wrote it above the Names and Signatures of several eminent Citizens, which they had got upon another pretence. With and by vertue of this Warrant they seized on them in divers places, carried them to the little Chasteles, and Hanged them all three in that Prison; The President Brisson was the first. A Catastrophy unworthy so excellent and so learned a Man, yet ordinary to such as float betwixt two Parties.

All the remaining portion of that day they scatter'd divers odious Reports about the Town to blast their Memories: the following night they caused their Bodies to be carried to the Grewe where they hanged till the next night. But observing the People gazed on the sad Spectacle rather with the Eyes of pity then indignation, they began to consider the horror of the Fact and apprehend the Revenge. Some of them were of opinion to seize the Dutchess of Nemours, that she might be se∣curity

for them against the Duke her Son; Others to compleat the Tragedy would rid themselves of him if he came towards Paris, and after that elect a Chief that depended wholly upon them. The Spaniards did believe they would have gone tho∣rough with this last Act, and if so would have supported them: but cared not to be the first should approve an attempt, the justification whereof depended on the event.

[☞] Now as there are but few great Crimes carried on to the highest pitch, no more then Heroick Vertues, these People that had begun this first without necessity, did not know how to act a second which was necessary to cover the former. The Par∣liament, the Princesses, the Royalists themselves, who pretended to be zealous Leaguers, earnestly sollicited the Duke, who was at Laon, to hasten and deliver them from that Tyranny, crying out the Knife was at their very Throats. Divers Con∣siderations kept him a while in suspence: he feared lest despair should force the Seize to cast themselves upon the Spaniards, lest the Duke of Guise should support them, or lest their Cabal should be strong enough to shut up the Gates against him: never∣theless perceiving their courage failed, that they did not put themselves into a po∣sture [Year of our Lord 1591] to maintain their Roguery with vigor, but forsaking themselves, were openly [month November.] protected by none, he took three hundred Horse, and fifteen hundred Foot, and marched directly to Paris.

One Band went out to meet him, having at their Head Boucher Curate of St. Benoist who was to deliver the Message: but the Duke passed on and would not hear them. Another being more resolute determined to kill him; and there was one that even profer'd to strike the first blow, but the rest would not promise to second him. After some days inquiry in Paris being well informed how matters stood, he sent to Bussy to deliver up the Bastille: This false Bravo had neither resolution enough to defend it, nor wit to declare for the King, of whom he might have had good Composition; he basely capitulated, yet would needs march forth with Drums beating and Colours flying: but had provided no place for his retreat, and therefore lodged with all his Booty in the Street St. Anthoine.

The Duke having let some days slip without undertaking any thing, the Seize thought themselves secure, being withall informed that the Parliament durst not make Process against them: when on a sudden the Duke with his own hand draws [month December.] up a Sentence of death against nine of the most guilty, and sends People on the night between the third and fourth of December to apprehend them in their own Houses. They could catch but only four* 1.70 of them who being carried to the Louvre, were immediately hanged on a Gallows by the Executioner; the other five made their escape, and after they had lain concealed some time, retired to the Low-Countries. Bussy, one of the number, got off fairly: Six Spanish Soldiers whom he kept at home to guard him, did by the resistance they made, give him time to evade, but could not carry any of his rich Plunder with him. He withdrew to Bruxels with his Wife, where he died very old; He was yet to be seen in the year 1634. having always a String of huge Beads about his Neck, talking little, but magnificently of the great Designs he had missed.

Afterwards, the Duke, whether he dreaded the despair of the remainder of the Seize, or rather would seem to despise them, sent a Pardon or Abolition to the Parliament for the rest that had any hand in the said Crime: and because the mischief had been hatch'd in their private Assemblies, he forbad the like upon pain of death and razing such Houses where they should meet. Thus this potent Faction, who had so much loved the Duke of Guise as they had almost raised him to the Throne, was dishonour'd and ruin'd by his Brother. One cannot deny but it was much for the ad∣vantage of the King, with whom it was impossible they should ever comply or agree: but indifferent People believed that by ruining them the Duke had, as it were, cut off his left Arm with his right.

He wrote to all the Governors of Provinces, to justifie his Proceedings, and to ren∣der that Faction odious, and that he might unite them more closely to him, he did oblige them to swear they would never forsake him; That they would not favour the Election of a King without his consent; That they would approve of all the Treaties he should make with any one; and that they would hold no private intel∣ligence [Year of our Lord 1591] with the Spaniards. At the same time the Parliament being wholly destitute [month December.] of Presidents, he created four, most affectionate to his own Person: but thereby [✚] labour'd his own destruction, since it is contrary to the intrinsecal Principles of things, to fortifie ones self against a King by means of the Nobility or Officers of the Robe, who necessarily turn to him at last.

The City of Rouen was well provided, well fortified, and very well resolved to make a vigorous defence; The Mareschal de Biron had but just invested it upon the Kings arrival the First day of December. The Duke of Parma had sent to offer assistance to the Besieged in behalf of King Philip, even before the Duke of Mayenne had demanded it; yet was he not so forward to do it as he pretended, he was loath to leave the Low-Countries, remembring how during his absence the former year, [month December.] Prince Maurice had taken five or six Towns from him: but he received such pre∣cise Orders from Spain, that he parted from Bruxels towards the end of November, with an Army of Ten thousand Foot, three thousand Horse, forty pieces of Cannon, and two thousand Waggons of Bagage, where he had all sorts of Tools and Ammu∣nition: for he would trust to nothing but his own prudence and foresight. The Duke of Guise went to meet him as far as Landrecy, and the Duke of Mayenne to Guise, where all three had a long Conference together.

Before he proceeded any further, the Duke of Parma made them give him the City of la Fere upon Oyse to put in his Artillery, and there left four hundred Men in Garison. This was not all, Diego d'Ibarra Ambassador of Spain declared the in∣tentions of his Master, who demanded the Crown for the Infanta, whom he profer'd to Marry to some French Prince. There were several Conferences upon that Subject at la Fere, between the Ministers of Spain and those of the Duke of Mayenne. Janin who was chief of the Dukes, endeavour'd to elude the said demand, by objecting very considerable difficulties, particularly the holding of the Estates, then the im∣mense Sums to carry on the War: but the Spaniards without hesitation, agreed to [month December and January.] all his demands, and withall offer'd him great advantages for the Duke; In so much as that Prince having nothing to reply, could only dissemble and make his best of the present time; which was at last his ruine and the Kings happiness.

The Forces of these Dukes amounted together to more then Six thousand Horse, and Fifteen thousand Foot. The King knowing they were upon their march, brought the first news of himself to them with Three thousand Horse, and at his first coming beat up the Duke of Guises Quarters who had the Van-guard near Abbeville. He [Year of our Lord 1590] made Head against them three weeks together, maintaining sometimes on Post, [month January.] sometimes another; but he had like to have been caught, and was wounded with a Pistol Shot, at Aumale, where he would needs defend a Defile, or narrow Passage. His presence of mind, his courage, and the night coming on, brought him off from the greatest danger he had ever met with in his whole Life; and if he were blamed for engaging himself as a Volunteer, he was commended for extricating himself like [Year of our Lord 1592] a Soldier. [month January.]

While the Dukes were much in pain how to deliver Rouen, it hapned that during the Kings absence, who had taken the best of the Cavalry with him, Villars and the Inhabitants of the City relieved themselves. The Six and twentieth day of February [month February.] at Eight a Clock in the Morning, they make a Salley with above Twenty thousand Men on the side of the Fort St. Catharine, beat back or kill all they meet with, burn the Huts and Tents, ruine their Works, fill up the Trenches, put Fire to the Powder, carry away five great Pieces of Cannon, and Nail up the rest. They remained Masters of that Quarter till the arrival of Biron: who hurried thither from Dernetal with the Nobility, followed by the Swiss and Lansquenets. He charged them without taking any view: but their Horse stood firm yet a while, gave the Foot time to re∣treat, and afterwards made their own in good order. Biron was shot in the Thigh with a Musket Bullet, five hundred of the Besiegers slain in the place, and an hundred carried Prisoners into the Town, the most part Men of note.

When these tidings were brought to the Dukes, they had just been resolving in their Council to march all night, and fall the next Morning upon the Quarters of Dernetal. The design being much advanced by the event of this furious Salley, the Duke of Parma would needs have them compleat so infallible a Victory: but the Duke of Mayenne, whose jealousies and suspicions made him incompatible with his Friends no less then with his Enemies, and irresolute in good fortune as well as in bad, urged several Reasons against it, with so much obstinacy, that Parma was forced to yield to them. They therefore only put Eight hundred Men into the place, then retired, and made their Army repass the Somme.

[month March.] For fifteen days together the City continued in great rejoycing, and Villars in so profound security, that he ran at the Ring without the Walls in sight of the Enemy. But when the meaner sort of People began to be in want of Money to buy them Bread, when the Bourgeois who had made their Vows to our Lady of Loreta for their deliverance, found themselves shut up closer then ever, when those which had shewed

themselves the most zealous, began now to joyn in Conspiracies with some of the Kings Party: Villars gave notice to the Duke of Mayenne that he should be constrained to Capitulate, if by the Twentieth of March he were not relieved.

The Dukes repassed the Somme therefore at the Foord of Blanquetaque, and having marched above thirty Leagues in four days, came within three Leagues of Rouen at the day prefix'd. The King would needs put himself in a posture to fight them; and with that design drew all his Forces to him that were on the other side of the Wa∣ter: when finding they were in a very ill condition, he was obliged to raise the Siege, sent up his Boats to Pont de l'Arche, and Convey'd away his Bagage, standing to his [Year of our Lord 1592] Arms for some hours together upon one side of Dernetal, to defie the Enemy by so [month March.] brave a countenance and posture.

This time also, the jealousies that were amongst the Chiefs of the Enemies Army, [month April.] especially the Dukes of Montemarcian and the Duke of Mayenne against the Duke of Parma, hindred them from venturing upon so fair and promising a Game. It was Parma's Advice to fall on, and had he been alone, he would have done it without any great hazard, said he; but the Duke of Mayenne refused to second him, and the next day engaged him to besiege Caudebec, to get the Stores of that Corn that was in it, and to open the River; Then after they had with facility taken that, he was as obstinate for the posting themselves at Yvetot, to cover that Conquest. The place was very unlucky to them, they had not been there long when the King cut off their Provisions, and posting himself between l'Islebonne and their Camp, har∣celled them perpetually by great Skirmishes.

The disadvantages they received in two or three several trials, making them perceive they might possibly be forced in that place, they decamped silently by night, and came to Caudebec. There they found themselves yet more streightned then before. They wanted not only Provisions, but even Water; Distempers ruined their Men: the Duke of Parma, the Duke of Mayenne, and the famous George Baste, who commanded the Horse, were all three in the Straw; the first for a Mus∣quet Shot he received on his Arm in besieging Caudebec; the second by some Relicks of his old Adventure at the Hostel de Carnavalet, which broke out again by the Fatigues of War; and the third with a double Quartan. Add to this that Biron was every hour upon the backs of them; He surprised one of their Quarters of Light-Horse-Men, and all the Money they had in store for payment of their Forces. It was said, (and even his own Son reproached him with it) that if he would then have put on roundly, he might easily have defeated the whole Army, but that he waved the opportunity, as fearing so great a blow would have put an end to the War and to his Employment.

The extremity of this danger put the Duke of Parma upon the invention of a Master-piece to bring himself out of it. He built two Forts right against each other on the brink of the River, with Redoubts which commanded on the Water, and great Retrenchments which advanced towards the Kings Army: withall he caused a great many Pontons to be made ready at Rouen, and covered five and twenty or thirty Boats with strong Timbers and Planks to wast his Cavalry, which were brought thither in the night time when the weather was most dark: By this means [Year of our Lord 1592] about the same midnight he ordered the French Forces to pass over, first the Foot, [month April.] then the Horse, after that the Cannon and Bagage, and towards break of day the Spanish Infantry, Wallon and Italian, whilst his Son with a thousand Foot and four hundred Horse, made good that side they were leaving, and cover'd their retreat. The greatest trouble he had was to ship the four pieces of Cannon he had planted in the Fort.

As fast as the Troops got over they put themselves upon the march. The King was much astonished when broad day-light shewed him their Trenches empty; he forthwith sent two thousand Horse by Pont de l'Arche, believing they might overtake them at their passage of the River Eure. They caught only five hundred Foot, whose sloath or weariness made them lag behind the rest at Neufbourg, these surren∣dred at discretion: but Parma made so gread speed, that he got in four days from Caudebec to Charenton, where he pass'd the Seine upon a Bridge of Boats, and did not think himself secure till he was in Brie.

As for the Duke of Mayenne, he retired to Rouen, and sojourned there near six weeks, putting himself for the second time into the Doctors hands. The King having totally raised the Siege, and kept only Three thousand Horse, and Five thousand Foot, pursued the Duke of Parma to the very Frontiers, fearing lest he should seize upon some place.

The Duke of Mayenne was very near dying under the Discipline of his Chyrur∣geons: the Spaniards believing he could not recover, and thinking that from thence [month May.] forward the League must depend upon them, could not forbear expressing their joy, and refused to let him have either Men or Money, but put Fifteen hundred Men more into Paris: which highly displeased him, and made their conceal'd intentions appear more plain to him, then any thing else had done. Now when they perceived his recovery, they repented of having too openly discover'd themselves, and en∣deavour'd to sooth him by new caresses, and fairer profers then before. And he on his part knew how to dissemble as well as themselves: but intended for the future to order his Affairs by other measures then theirs. In this mind he essay'd to make a new Party with the Cardinal de Bourbon, upon whose Head he promised to set the Crown. I cannot tell how far this intrigue was carried on: but there is great likelihood the Dukes irresolution hindred the prosecution of it.

During this universal disorder, the Royal Authority was very languishing: for the great Cities had their designs for liberty, the Lords and Governors for Sove∣raignties, [☜] and private Gentlemen and Captains thought of nothing but Plunder and Robberies; for which reason they were all of a mind to prolong the War, whence they alone reaped the profit. These Purloiners had the fifths of all Prizes, Ran∣soms, and Seizures, disposed of the Tailles and Publick Money at their own pleasure, laid new Imposts upon Passages and Rivers, devoured all the labours and substance of poor People; Then when they were to march, served not above three weeks, or a month, and so returned again to their own homes. But never without grumbling: The King might give them new Salaries, great Pensions, Benefices, Confiscations, [Year of our Lord 1592] grant them all Boons they demanded, and engage the clearest of his Demeasns to them; yet they were never satisfied. [month May.]

It was justly to be feared by him, that if the Estates should at last elect a King, all the Princes of Italy, and the rest of the Catholicks, might own him, (they being concerned only to have a King in France, not whether it were he in particular before any other) and lest the Pope, who had some obligation to the Spaniards for his promotion, should continue to assist the League; (This was Clement VIII. for Gregory XIV. died, and Innocent IX. his Successor Reigned but a short time.) Besides he wanted Money, and was vexed to be no more but the Companion of his Subjects. These Considerations inclined him to find out some way for an Accommodation with the Duke of Mayenne; They entred upon it without much difficulty, and without taking in the King of Spain, or communicating it to the Lords of either Party, as knowing too well those People did not at all desire an end of the Troubles.

Villeroy and Duplessis were made choice of for this Negociation. They came to this Agreement, That the King should take six Months time to be instructed by such ways and means as should be no prejudice either to his Dignity, or his Conscience; That the Nobility of his Party should send a Deputation to the Pope, to desire his Authority for it; That in the mean time they should endeavour to make a Peace, and that he should be owned by those Princes that were united. They afterwards further agreed, That the Huguenots should enjoy those Edicts had been granted to them before the year 1585. That the Exercise of the Catholick Religion should be restored every where; That the Gentdarmerie and Infantry, should be regulated; That the Tailles and Imposts should [☜] be moderated, and that the Priviledges of Officers and of Cities should be preserved. But when it came to treat of the interests of the Duke of Mayenne, the Propositions seemed so excessive to Duplessis-Mornay, that he dissuaded the King from giving ear to them.

Villeroy forbore not to enter again into Conference with the Mareschal d'Aumont, and the Mareschal de Bouillon, and to attend the King, who was very well satisfied with his franc and loyal proceeding. The fruit of these Conferences, which lasted two Months proved more then a little for the benefit of the Catholick Religion: for the King promised that he would forthwith send the Cardinal de Gondy and Pisany, to Rome; which did not overmuch please the Huguenots.

This Treaty being grown publick, because too many People would concern them∣selves in it, strangely alarmed the Spaniards and all the other Chiefs of the League. The King and the Duke of Mayenne had both like to be abandoned, the latter by all his Partisans, the other by his Huguenots. There were some amongst these who thinking to bind the King yet faster, lest he should forsake them, fortified themselves with the Queen of England and the Hollander, and would needs have given them [Year of our Lord 1592 May] footing in France. A proof hereof was evident by the Enterprise of du Fay his Chancellor in Navarre: who having gotten a Commission for the fortifying of Quil∣leboeuf,

had scarce raised his Works Breast-high, when he would needs Cantonize himself there, and denied entrance to Bellegarde, to whom the King had given the Government thereof. Two or three Envoys from the King did in vain employ both their Persuasions and Menaces to make him lay aside so desperate a design: his ambi∣tion had taken too high a stand to be brought down so easily; he expected a supply of Eight hundred English: but two days before the arrival of them, he fell sick either of melancholy or otherwise, and perished in the midst of his attempt. He was so mightily possessed with the humour, that death it self could not wean him from it, for he gave order they should bury him in one of the Bastions there, as if intending still to keep possession.

So soon as he expir'd, Bellegard entred into it; Villars thought he might carry the place upon this change, and before it were defensible. The Duke of Mayenne and he besieged it with four thousand Men: but it was either so well defended, or so ill attaqu'd, that at the end of fifteen days they were constrained to decamp, for fear of being beaten by the Count de Saint Pol and Fervaques, who were coming to re∣lieve it with Twelve hundred Horse and fifteen hundred Foot.

Villars going to this Siege, had surprized the little Town du Pont-Audemer. Whilst he was busie in fortifying it, Bose-Rose, one of his bravest Captains, offended at his arrogance, and some scurvy language he had given him, seized on the Fort of Fescamp, and Cantonized there. This Fort was upon a Rock, near thirty fathom high to∣wards the Sea, which washes the foot of it twice a day, but never rises to the top but twice in the year; and it was at one of those Spring-Tides that Bose-Rose surprized it by Escalado. Villars flew thither immediately to recover it, and not able to draw him thence, he block'd it up by two Forts; wherewith at last he reduced him to ex∣tremity: but Bose-Rose thought it much safer to cast himself into the Arms of the King, then to compound with one he had so much offended.

After the raising of the Siege of Rouen, the greater part of the Kings Army was gone into Champagne, he besieged Espernay, and out of the apprehension of a relief to come, would needs cover himself with a Circumvalation, which retarded the Siege near three weeks. The Mareschal de Biron was slain in the approaches, by a Cannon Shot which took off his Head. He had been Chief Commander in seven Battles or great Combats, in each of which he had received some Wound. A Man very con∣siderable in the Cabinet Council as well as the Campagne, who would be ignorant of nothing, had a hand in every thing, and fenced with the Quil as dexterously as with the Sword.

As soon as the Battery had made a breach, the Besieged Capitulated. Provins [Year of our Lord 1592] did the same upon the third day; Meaux being much stronger, the King did not [month May.] attaque it: but to cut off those Provisions the Parisians drew from thence by the Marne, he built a Fort in the Island* 1.71 of Gournay, which lies upon that River within four Leagues of Paris, and gave the Government thereof to Odet de la Noue, whose incorruptible fidelity answer'd his favour with most exactly guarding the said Passage.

Upon the Frontiers of Bretagne, the Princes of Conty and of Dombes being joyned, received a very Signal loss: they had besieged the City of Craon situate upon the River of Oudon: the Duke of Mercoeur came to its relief, assisted by Bois-Dausin [month May.] who brought the Nobility of Mayne, and by the Marquiss de Belle-Isle Son of the Mareschal de Rais. Now the Princes for want of good Intelligence, had let the Duke pass the River, and get into a very advantageous place for Battle, whilst they chose a very bad one for themselves; then not able to resolve to fight, they made their retreat in the open day, and committed many other oversights which occasioned their defeat. This hapned the Five and twentieth of May. They lost twelve hun∣dred Men, all their Cannon, which was left by the way for want of Harness, and af∣terwards the Cities of Chasteau-Gontier, Mayenne and Laval.

The Mareschal de Rais, after the death of Henry III. not seeing clearly into the depth of Affairs, nor knowing which Party to side with, was retired to Florence, and had advised his Son to joyn with the strongest; which made him take part with the Duke of Mercoeur to secure the great Estate he had in Bretagne; though others imagined it was a fancy he had for the Dutchess, that engaged him to it.

[month June.] The Fourth of June, Henry Prince of Dombes lost his Father Francis Duke of Montpensier, Aged Fifty years; he inherited his Name, his vast Estate, and the Government of Normandy which the King bestow'd on him, as he did that of Bre∣tagne on the Mareschal d'Aumont. This last regained the City of Mayenne, after a fifteen days Siege: but lay two Months before Rechefort with the loss of a great many Men and not able to take it, the inconveniencies of the Winter, and the Duke of

Mercoeur coming to the relief of the place. Rochefort was a Castle upon a Rock of Slat on the bank of the River Loire, five Leagues beneath Angers, right against the Rock de Gausie, a place remarkable in former days, and ruined during the War with the English. Two Brothers Surnamed de Hurtaud who held it for the King, put it and themselves into the Party for the League, that they might be justified for making Sardiny, a rich Partisan, their Prisoner, and screwing a Ransom of Ten thousand Crowns from him, though he were a Roy••••••st.

It was about the same time that Rene de Rieux Sourdeac being invested in Brest by the Nobility and Commonalty of the Country, after a four or five Months blocade, beat them so in several Sallies, partly by stratagems, partly by courage, as forced them to dislodge, and even to buy a Truce, which he sold them at the rate of Eight [Year of our Lord 1592] thousand Crowns per Annum. Within a Month after he gained a Victory at Sea [month June.] over seven Ships of Normandy, which were come from Fescamp to seize upon the Harbour of Cameret, from whence they would have annoyed that of Brest; These advantages did hugely contribute to the keeping that Country under obedience of the King.

All Guyenne was so, excepting that Emanuel Desprez Marquiss of Villars, Son of the Duke of Mayenne's Wife, and Henry Lord of Montp••sat Brother of Emanuel, held some small places in Perigord, in Limosin, and in Agenois, Agen, Villeneuve, and Marmande. These Brothers the foregoing year had been beaten near the Abby de Roquemadour in Quercy by Anne de Levis Ventadour, and Ponts de Losieres Temines, this Governor of Quercy, the other of Limosin; who slew them seven hundred of the four and twenty hundred they had got together, and took their Cannon and [month June, July, &c.] Bagage.

The Mareschal de Matignon commanded in this Province, when there hapned a dangerous division by means of Paul d'Esparbez Lussan. This Gentleman had pur∣chased Blaye of Guy de Sainct Gelais Lansac, a great Waster of his Estate. The Mareschal said it was with his Money, and that Lussan was but his Agent therein: but when he would have come in, Lussan flatly denied him entrance, and offer'd to repay him his Money. The Mareschal not able to bring him to Reason, renders him suspected of holding Correspondence with the League, and retrenched his pay. Lussan did not much value that, but begins to raise Contribution upon the River with four great Vessels, which he made Men of War. Whereupon the Mareschal having excited the Complaints of the whole Province against him, obtained an Order from the King to drive him thence by force, and laid Siege to Blaye. Lussan with∣stood it three Months, after which finding himself hard beset, he calls in the Spa∣niards to his aid, and with their help defended himself so well that he kept possession of the place.

They missed but little of getting some footing in the Province by Bayon upon an Enterprize they had contrived against that City, by means of a Merchant of the Franche-Compte named Chastean-Martin, who inhabited there, and a Physician named Rossius. It was very near succeeding, when la Hilliere who was Governor of the place, discover'd it, luckily surprizing an ill instructed Footman who brought Letters from Fontarabia. The Merchant and the Doctor were Hanged.

Amidst the confusion of three or four Parties in Provence, that for the King began to be predominant, especially when the Duke of Savoy was defeated at Vinon. After that la Valete pursued him roundly to the very Gates of Aix, and destroy'd all the Farms round about it. Then to draw him out into the Field, he laid Siege to Roque∣brune, [month February.] a filthy place, and no way considerable, unless for streightning the City of Frejus, which lies within a League. Now as he was ordering the repair of some [Year of our Lord 1592] Buttress of a Battery, he was kill'd by a random Shot in his Forehead the Eleventh day of February; a great loss, both for his singular Virtues, and the Affairs of the King. That part of the Parliament who were retired to Sisternon, took up the Go∣vernment till the King should otherwise dispose thereof.

His death dispersed the greater part of his Troops, and caused divisions between the Provenceaux and the Gascons, concerning whom should succeed him. The Gascons desired the Duke of Espernon, and were the stronger: so the others pretended to acquiesce, and all sent to the King to demand him. The King had not love enough to bestow so considerable a gist upon him: and feared lest his haughty and ambitious Spirit might lead him to Cantonize himself in that Province which was both Mari∣tine, and Neighbour to the Duke of Montmorency, and the Duke of Savoy. Never∣theless when he perceived he was sitting himself to go and take possession of it, and

that his refusal would serve to no end, but to cast him on the Enemies side, he sent him his Commission with very obliging Letters, but took from him the Office of Ad∣miral, which he gave the young Biron, and under-hand order'd Mesplez a Gentleman of Bearn, and also others of the most authorised amongst the Gascons, and Royalists of Provence, to cross him in his Government, till such time as he could find an oppor∣tunity to force him out.

The Affairs of the Duke of Savoy were but little the better for the death of la Valete. The Sixteenth of February, the Inhabitants of Arles killed their first Consul Riviere, while he was endeavouring to introduce some Savoyard Companies into the City, and certain Gentlemen Royalists went and assassinated Biord, Lieutenant to the Seneschal, a great Partisan for the Duke, who was retired to a Farm of his own thereabout. Some Months after the third Consul raised the City of Arles, and rejoyned them to the Parliament of Aix: but did not restore them to the interests of the Duke.

This Prince having no strong Holds in the Province but Berre, and Grace, and of [month March.] three great Cities none left him but that of Aix, which was neither a Frontier, nor a Sea-Port, nor upon any River, took his farewell of the Parliament the Thirtieth of March, and carried away all his Luggage and his Forces to Nice, having notwith∣standing made them fair promises of a speedy return. The Parliament of Aix in his absence took up the Government of the Province, and got Letters Patents for it from the Duke of Mayenne.

When he departed the Country, Lesdiguieres was called in by the Parliament of [Year of our Lord 1592] Sisteron. Having therefore made a Truce with the Duke of Nemours, he came into [month May, &c.] Provence towards the end of May, refused that demanded by the Parliament of Aix, took all the little Castles about Aix, and towards Antibes, ran over all the Country, beat the Duke who ••ad undertaken to come to the relief of Aix, and much streight∣ned both the City and Parliament. But when he was just upon the point of reducing them, Nemours broke the Truce, took the Fort des Eschelles, and gained Maugiron who commanded for the King in Vienne. He would not however leave the Govern∣ment to him, fearing lest he that had once changed, might have a fancy to do so a second time. The noise of this progress recalled Lesdiguieres into Daufine: when he was there he tried all manner of ways to draw him to a Battle; he could never engage him to it: yet by hunting him from place to place, in time, dispersed his whole Army.

[month July.] About the end of July, the Duke of Savoy took Antibes at discretion. La Valete had formerly treated a League with the Venetians, the Duke of Florence, and the Duke of Mantoua, to carry a War into the Country of Savoy; They obliged them∣selves to furnish him an Hundred thousand Livers per Month, as soon as he should [month September.] have taken any considerable place. Lesdiguieres got to be accepted in his stead, and acquitted himself as well as the former could have done. He passed the Mountain Genevra the Six and twentieth of September, divided his Army into three Bodies, the one to attaque Perouse, the other Pignerol, and the third which he commanded in Person, the Pas of Suza. He succeeded only in Perouse, where he gained all the Pas∣sages that were convenient for Carriages, and those of the Valley of Quieras proper for the passage of his Foot Soldiers. Moreover he fortified Briquieras in sight of the Duke of Savoy, took the City, and then the Castle of Tavours, and made the Duke retire who was coming on to relieve it; then having provided for the security of his Conquests, he returned to Winter in Daufine.

The Duke d'Espernon passing with Three thousand Men along the Frontier of Lan∣guedoc, found there the Duke of Joyeuse who besieged Villemur on the Tarn, (at the request of those of Toulouze, who by that means designed to prevent the incursions of them in Montauban.) The rumour of his march made the Besiegers hastily dis∣lodge: but as soon as he was gone some distance, Joyeuse forced, as one may say, by his ill destiny, renewed the Siege. The Mareschal de Montmorency, fearing his power would become too great, made up a Body of his choicest Men, giving the Command to Lecques, Chambaud, and Montoison. Messilac heretofore named Ro∣stignac, [Year of our Lord 1592] Governor of Auvergne, joyned them with some Horse. All these together [month August and September.] having certain notice that the Duke had sent his Light-Horse to quarter in certain Villages, resolved to attaque him the Nineteenth of October. At the same time they made the onset, Temines who had thrown himself into the place with a good number of the Nobility, made also a great Sally; They forced the Dukes Retrenchments, put his Men into disorder, rout them, knock a great many on the Head, make as many more drown themselves in the Tarn, and even the Duke himself, the Bridge falling under him by reason of the multitude of run-aways.

This news begot an incredible consternation in Toulouze, and after every one had bemoaned both the general and his particular loss, they were to consider of chusing another Chief. The defunct Duke had yet two Brothers, but both of them devoted to the service of God, the one a Cardinal, the other a Capucin, called Father Angel. The first who was very well vers'd in the conduct of Affairs, would willingly have undertaken that part of the Government, but he excused himself as to the command of the Army; It was confer'd upon his Brother who had otherwhile exercised that trade: yet did he not accept of it without a great deal of difficulty.

The Duke of Espernon arrived in Provence towards the end of August; his entrance was very glorious, the People receiving him every where with acclamations of joy. He employ'd the Months of September and October in setling himself in the Province, and in clearing it of several Castles, and Dens of Thieves. The Month of No∣vember was spent in Parlies and Negociations of Peace, though very ineffectually; after which he went to attaque Antibes, and took the City upon Composition, and the Castle by Escalado. But while thinking himself to be already absolute Master, he treated the Provencial Subjects with haughtiness, and the Conquer'd without mercy, while he built Citadels in Briguoles, and in Sainct Tropez, whose Inhabitants were great Royalists; the jealous and impatient Spirits of those Countries were extreamly alarmed; the Kings Agents by their secret practises put more fuel to their fire; and the Dukes revenge begot in their hearts the most cruel and furious hatred that has been heard of in these latter Ages.

The Spaniards incessantly demanded the Convocation of the Estates General, the Pope had delegated in France, by Commission in form of a Bull, Philip de Sega Cardinal Bishop of Piacenza, to be assisting at the Election of a Catholick King, and such a one as they should judge to be most capable of opposing the Undertakings of the Navarrois. King Philip had resolved to send an Army into France of Thirty thousand Foot, and six thousand Horse, to support him who should be elected, as designing him to be a Husband for his Daughter.

[Year of our Lord 1592] Amidst these Transactions, the Third of December died in Arras the Duke of Parma, as he was drawing his Forces together, and the King had advanced as far as [month December.] Corbie to hinder his entrance into the Kingdom. This great Soldier had languished a whole year of Poison, (said the more suspicious) given him by the Ministers of Spain either by order of King Philip, or out of some private hatred.

We do not well know whether it affected the Duke of Mayenne with joy, or grief: but it is certain that after the being acquainted with this news, he took as much care to assemble the Estates, as he had formerly used to retard it; and presently made four Mareschals of France, who were la Chastre, Rhosne, Bois-Daufin, and Sainct Pol, and gave the Command of Admiral to the Marquiss de Villars. Was it to add more Dignity to that Assembly, or to impose the necessity on them to elect him King? For these great Officers would not have suffer'd they should confer the Crown on any other but their Creator.

The Duke of Guise and the Duke of Nemours ••ormed each their Cabal in Paris, and expected to have the like in the Estates. The Politicks having found their own strength, con••idently held their Assemblies, where they made Propositions for an Ac∣commodation with the King of Navarre; and it had passed in an Assembly of their Town-Hall, to send to him for a free Commerce, if the Duke of Mayenne had not hastned thither to prevent it. This was by advice of the Seize: but he shewed never the more kindness to them for it, on the contrary he rejected all the Petitions they presented to him, for which reason they spit their Venom in divers biting and horribly defaming Libels; which did in truth extreamly decry him, but rendred the Authors yet more odious.

[month November and December.] In the Kings Party, his Parliament, his Council, and even his House it self, were likewise much embroil'd. The Indifferent and the Leaguers who were returned to the Parliament, brought Sentiments very opposite to the Spirits of the former. In the Council, every one strove to be highest and possess that place the Mareschal de Biron had held; and the King was equally afraid of disobliging all the Pretenders, for the first that had forsaken him would have dissolved the whole knot.

His Domestick inquietudes did no less discompose him. The Count de Soissons not able to suffer any longer those delays of his Marriage with the Princess Cath••rine, went to Pau to compleat it: but the Parliament of Bearn shut their Gates upon him, and placed Guards about the Princess. She took her self to be highly af∣fronted by these proceedings, and complained bitterly to her Brother of the insolence of those Men of the Gown, (so she express'd it.) The King desiring to compose her disordered mind, wrote back to her in very affectionate terms, and order'd her to come to him at Saumur, where he was to be in the Month of February.

[Year of our Lord 1593] We are now arrived at the year 1593. one of the most memorable of this Reign, [month January.] in which, Affairs by being so very much confused, began to assume some order. The Fifth day of January was published a Declaration of the Duke of Mayenne verified in the Parliament of Paris, which after an ingenious and eloquent Apology for all he had done, invited the Princes, Pairs, Prelats, Officers of the Crown, Lords and De∣puties, to joyn with the Party for the Holy Ʋnion, and to meet in the Assembly of the Estates on the Seventeenth of February, there without passion or interest joyntly to make choice of some good Remedy to preserve both Church and State. About ten days after appeared an Exhortation of the Legats to the same end, which spake much plainer then the Dukes, saying, They must elect a King both by profession and in reality most Christian and most Catholick, and who had the power to maintain both Church and State. This pointed to the King of Spain clearly enough.

This Paper of the Dukes having been perused by those Lords who were about the King, some (amongst others the Duke of Nevers) thought convenient, since he invited them to come to Paris, to return him some Answer which might engage him to a Conference. This Expedient was seconded by all with so much eagerness that it would not have been in the power of the King, if he had so desired, to hinder it. The Proposition was therefore drawn up the Seven and twentieth of the Month, and deliver'd to a Herauld to carry it to the Duke. The Deputies went to their Devotions the One and twentieth at N••stre-Dame, then heard a Sermon preached by Gilbert Genebrand Archbishop of Aix, who shewed, That the Salique Law was either positive or changeable at the pleasure of the Legislator, which is the Body of the French People.

The Assembly was open'd the Six and twentieth in the Hall of the Louvre: the Duke began it by a Harangue which the Archbishop of Lyons had composed for him; the Cardinal de Pelleve spake for the Clergy, Senescay for the Nobility, and Honore du Laurent the Kings Advocat in the Parliament of Provence, for the Third Estate. The Clergy had a pretty good number of Prelats of note with them, amongst the Nobility there were few Gentlemen considerable, and the Third Estate was a com∣pounded Rabble of all sorts of People, hired by the Duke of Mayenne, or by the Spaniards. Of these three Bodies, there being none but that of the Nobility for the Duke, he assay'd to add two new ones, contrary to the ancient Order of the King∣dom, i. e. one of Lords, and the other of Members of Parliament, and Gown Men: but the three Orders fiercely rejected this Novelty.

The second day of their sitting, a Trumpeter brought the Proposition from the Catholick Lords attending the King: which imported, That if those of the Party for the Ʋnion would depute honest and worthy Persons, to such place as should be agreed upon, between Paris and St. Denis, to consult of the best means to put an end to all troubles, they were on their parts ready to send likewise. The Trumpeter desired to speak with the Duke, who was then in Bed a little incommoded, and failed not to make known [Year of our Lord 1593] the Contents to all such as were inquisitive to hear the news. The Duke therefore [month January.] not being able to make it a secret; by the Advice of his Council, and notwith∣standing the violent Reasonings of the Legat, he sent it to the Estates. Who having examined it, refused to enter into Conference directly or indirectly with the King of Navarre, or with any Heretick, but were content to do it with the Catholicks of his Party, and that for the good of Religion, and the publick Peace.

[month February.] This Answer being made, the Duke parted from Paris with a Guard of Four hundred Horse, and went to Soissons to discourse with the Duke of Feria, John Bap∣tista Tassis, and Doctor Inigo de Mendozza, Ambassador from Spain. They pro∣pounded directly the Election of their Insanta, and spake of it as a thing both easie, just, and honourable; The Duke demanded a powerful and effective supply, and

they sed him with Chimeras; in so much as they fell to reproaches and gross lan∣guage: but the Dukes extream necessity constrained him to suffer it, and to conceal his Resentments no less then his Designs.

At his departure from Soissons, he went and joyned their Army which was com∣manded by Charles Count Mansfeld. With those he brought, they did not make up above Ten thousand Men: these Forces being too few to free Paris, stuck to Noyon and took it at three weeks end. That done, Mansfeld marched his Men back to Flanders: where Prince Maurice cut him out so much work, that in all the whole year he had not so much spare time as to think once upon those of France again.

In the Month of February the King went to Tours. Three grand designs led him thither, the one to make up the Marriage of his Sister with the Duke of Montpensier, another to Treat with the Duke of Mercoeur, and the third to contrive it so with the Members of his Parliament that they should take off the modifications they had made in the Edict by him granted to the Huguenots. He found so little disposition in Peoples minds, that not one of those three things did succeed. Moreover, as mis∣fortunes seldom come singly, it hapned that at the very same time when the Enemies were ready to take Noyon, the ill effect reached even to Selles in Berry, which Biron besieged by his express Order, and at the request of the Parliament of Tours; For the King having need of all his Forces to cover Picardy, sent to him to raise his Siege, and to bring his Men away with all speed.

[month March.] These disgraces dampt his best Friends and Servants, made the hearts of the Leaguers swell beyond all belief, and emboldned the Third Catholick Party, and the Huguenots, to fall into Conspiracies: these only to Cantonize themselves, the others to seize upon his Person. They did now no longer scruple to make Assemblies and Cabals, and the chief Lords of his Council told him without ceremony or dis∣guise, they would quit him if he did not quit his Religion. The Cardinal de Bourbon was the Bell-weather that led the Flock, and put him to most trouble: by good for∣tune for the King, it hapned that I know not what sharp humour made an Ulcer in his Lungs, and bred a Ptisique in him, which rendred him less capable of pushing on [Year of our Lord 1593] his ambitious designs. [month March.]

There were two ways might draw the King out of his Troubles: the one to re∣main firm in his Religion, and arm himself with patience and courage; the other, without doubt the better, to embrace that of the Catholicks, who were for numbers a hundred to every Huguenot. The first was extreamly long and tedious, full of difficulties, and dangers almost insuperable: the Catholicks threatned to go from him if he would not go to Mass; he scarce had sufficient to set an Army on foot; the Gentry grew weary of exhausting their Wealth, and shedding their Blood for an Heretical Prince; and if in this juncture, they had elected another King, certainly they would all have acknowledg'd him.

All these considerations and apprehensions, made deep impressions on his Spirit: it was believed the Providence of Heaven made use of these to dispose him to chuse the better way. He began therefore to give hopes of his Conversion; and so soon as he had open'd his mind on this point, there were some Huguenots themselves who assured him, whether they really believed so, or did it out of Complaisance, that one might obtain Salvation in any Religion that believed Jesus Christ Crucified, the Creed of the Apostles, and observed the Precepts contained in the Decalogue.

While the Duke of Mayenne was yet at Rheims, whither he was gone to hold Con∣ference with the Princes of his Party, the Duke de Feria Ambassador extraordinary from Spain with his other two Collegues, arrived at Paris, accompanied with a great Guard of Horse and the principal Lords of the Party, whom the Duke of Mayenne had sent to meet him. The Estates complemented him by certain Deputies: some days after he came into the Assembly, where he Harangued in Latine, and presented them some Letters from King Philip, which were Superscribed thus, To Our Reve∣rend, Illustrious, Magnificent, and Well-beloved, the Deputies of the Estates General of France. The Cardinal de Pelleve was ordered to Answer them.

There were three Chairs stood under the Canopy, one in the midst cover'd over with a Carpet of Violet Velvet powdred with Flowers de Lys of Gold, and raised higher then the rest, but empty, to shew it waited for the King; in that on the right hand sat the Cardinal de Pelleve, who besides his being President of the Clergy with the Archbishop of Lyons, did likewise preside in the General Assemblies in the

absence of the Duke of Mayenne; the Duke of Feria sat upon that on the left hand.

In the mean time the Catholick Royalists press'd the Conference so heartily, that no private obstructions of the Duke of Feria, nor of the Sixteen, could hinder but that some Deputies on either side agreed upon it. Being therefore gone to take a view of some places about Paris, they chose that of Surene as being less ruined then the rest. They met there upon the Nine and twentieth of April, and took [Year of our Lord 1593] their Lodgings by Lot: but the Royalists in the place for Conference seized upon [month April.] the right hand. They agreed together that the Pass-ports should be expedited in form of Letters Patents, and took each other reciprocally under their protection. The Deputies of the League returned every night to Paris, the Royalists remained upon the place.

Those waiting the return of the Duke of Mayenne who seemed loath to enter upon this matter, let slip some Sessions without any proceedings, then adjourned the Conference for eight days; notwithstanding a Truce or Suspension was agreed for ten days. At first a difficulty arose which had like to break off all; those of the League would not suffer that Rambouillet should be present, because the Dutchess of Guise accused him of having a hand in the death of her Husband; Rambouillet on the contrary, insisted upon his staying since he was come, fearing lest his exclusion should imply a tacit owning of what they charged him with, and the Blood of that Prince be required of him and his Posterity. He therefore positively denied the Fact and offer'd to purge himself by Oath: upon which the Deputies of his Party stood up so resolutely for him that he was not excluded.

It is very remarkable, that the King having heard how some did even charge him with that death, took the pains to write a Discourse which was perused by the chiefest [☞] of that Assembly: wherein he shewed he never was the Author of so tragical and so cursed a Council. He instanced amongst other things, that the late King telling him how a great Man who pushed him on to do that action, had in a Letter written to him on that Subject put in these four Latine words, MORS CONRADINI, VITA CAROLI. He the King of Navarre replied in the presence of many Per∣sons of Honour still living, Yes, but, Sir, this Party has not told you all the History, for the death of Conradin * 1.72, was the ruine of Charles.

For the particulars of what passed in the Conference at Surene, they are to be seen in the Records that are published. The Archbishop of Lyons, and he of Bourges, made very Eloquent Discourses on either side, to shew, the one that they could not acknowledge an Heretical prince, the other that they ought to obey him; and this last summoned the Leagued Catholicks to joyn with them for instructing and con∣verting the King: but these stood stiff not to receive, nor have any communication with him till he were truly converted, and the Pope had received him into the bosom of the Church.

This Resolution express'd with great freedom and assurance brought over that Prince who wavered before, in so much as he gave his positive word he would become a Convert, to those Princes and Lords that were about him, and demanded a Con∣ference for his instruction: to which he invited all the most learned of his own Party, and of those for the League to meet the Fifteenth of July; Not that he pretended the performance of his promise should depend upon that, but only as a ceremony and form becoming such an Act.

[Year of our Lord 1593] It was time he should speak plain: for the Estates some days before having made a [month June.] solemn Procession, were preparing for the election of a King; and if the Spaniards, had then made the Proposition which they did a Month after in behalf of the Duke of Guise, it is most certain that all had gone that way, even in despite of the Duke of Mayenne, for he had not yet made his Faction strong enough, as having been too long employ'd at Rheims.

He was newly come from thence, very melancholy, and dissatisfied with the Princes of his own House, who were more vex'd with him: so that they had parted as irresolv'd and as much dis-united as ever, each of them with vast and confused thoughts, and very little abilities to put them in execution. Nevertheless there was enough to console him for his misfortunes, had he known how to improve the opportunity; for the King apprehending the Estates might nominate one before himself were Con∣verted, offer'd to give him then, the same advantages the Spaniards promis'd him only for the future.

He had no other aim when he consented to the Conferences but only to amuse the Royalists: but the event was quite contrary, it gave the King great advantage. The Seize on the one hand, and the Huguenots on the other, did in vain endeavour to in∣terrupt them, they were too much engaged: from Surene they were transfer'd to la Raquete, then to la Villette. They ended and broke up in this latter place, because the Leaguers would conclude on nothing more, but that they referred the judgment of the Reduction of the King to the Authority of his Holiness, who only, said they, had the power of opening the Gates of the Church to him; and the other rejected this Proposition, because that would be to submit the Crown of France to the disposal of the Pope.

During the time these Conferences held▪ the suspension of Arms was continued, and brought the People to an absolute longing after Peace. The King having ob∣served this effect, would allow it no farther but for three days, but in exchange offer'd a Truce of six Months. The Legat and Spaniards expressing great aversion to it, the Duke of Mayenne durst not accept of it. The Spaniards on their side having already suffer'd the Spirits of their Party to grow cool in the Estates, disgusted them wholly by their odious Propositions: for Mendozze labour'd to prove the right of the Infanta, and to demonstrate that the Crown appertained to her. His discourse was very unacceptable: Feria afterwards imagining that they had rejected it because the French abhorred the Government of a Woman, caused Tassis to propound, that the Catholick King would Marry the Infanta to the Arch-Duke Ernest, who should Reign joyntly with her, as if it would not have been more eligible to admit of one Stranger to sit in the Throne of France then to crowd two in at the same time.

[Year of our Lord 1593] The Nobility having referr'd it to the Duke of Mayenne to make him such answer [month June.] as he should think fit, the Duke gave him to understand that the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom could not allow of a Stranger: That nevertheless the Estates, to testifie their acknowledgments to the Catholick King, desired he would take it well they should elect some French Prince, and that he would be pleased to honour them with his Alliance by the Marriage of the Infanta to him. Now after the Spaniards had spent some days in deliberating on this Proposition, Feria replied by the Mouth of Tassis, that the King his Master would furnish them with all the assistance they should desire, provided the Infanta were declared Queen upon this condition she should Marry one of the French Princes whom that King should chuse, the House of Lorrain therein comprehended.

This Overture dazled most of the Deputies, and if at that time the Ministers of Spain, without so many Ceremonies, had but named one, the Assembly would have agreed to it: but whilst they were standing upon their gravity, and expected to be courted to what did n•• in any wise belong to them, this opportunity slipt thorough their Fingers. Three Princes aspired to this nomination, the Duke of Nemours, and the Duke of Guise, each for himself, the Duke of Mayenne for his eldest Son; and sometimes when he found any difficulty, he thought of proposing the Cardinal de Bourbon; then after divers agitations of mind, he found there could be no better Re∣solution taken then that which in effect was worst of all, and that was to take none at all.

Whilst he floated amidst these Uncertainties, the Parliament of Paris being As∣sembled upon the Rumour then on wing of the Election of the Infanta, made it ap∣pear they are infallible when concerned for the Fundamental Laws of the Monarchy, of which they have ever had a tender and useful care. For they made a grand De∣cree, Ordaining, that Remonstrances should be made to the Duke of Mayenne, that he would look to the maintaining of those Laws, and hinder the Crown from being transferr'd to Strangers, and declared null and illegal all Treaties that had already been, or might hereafter be made for that purpose, as being contrary to the Salique Law. Conformably to this Decree, John le Maistre who held the place of First Pre∣sident, went and deliver'd the Message boldly, and shewed him how the Government of Women in France, even that of Regents, had never produced any thing but [✚] Seditions and Civil Wars: whereof he instanced in ten or twelve examples most remarkable, amongst which he did not omit Blanche de Castille, and that of Catharine de Medicis, the principal and almost the only cause of these last Troubles.

During these Transactions, the King causes Dreux to be besieged, he took the [Year of our Lord 1593] Town upon the first Assault, and the Castle afterwards upon Composition, but not [month June and July] without much trouble and time. The Spaniards finding by the Decree of Parliament, and the loss of this City, that the Affairs of the League were beginning to decline, did the more press them for the Election of a King; and at last, in a Council they held with the Duke of Mayenne, named the Duke of Guise. Never was any Mans astonishment like to that of the Duke of Mayennes; the trouble of his Soul ap∣peared thorough all the coverings of dissimulation. His Wives indignation was greater yet then his, she would have overturned all rather then obey that meer Boy, as she called the Duke of Guise. In this pressing occasion, when he knew not what to reply, Bassompierre found out an Expedient for him, which putting the business off for a while, did in the end dash it utterly in pieces; and that was to demand eight days time to give notice of it to the Duke of Lorrain his Master.

During this delay, the Duke of Mayenne set all his Engines at work, sometimes with the Duke of Guise, to dissuade him from accepting this nomination, as a thing ruinous both to him and all the House of Lorrain, sometimes with the Spaniards, to let them know it was not yet the Season for it, and in fine, with the Estates to incline them to his Sentiments. His attempts proved altogether ineffectual upon the two first, especially the Spaniards; of whom it was reported, they had endeavour'd to persuade the Duke of Guise his Nephew to kill him, as being the only Remora to his Advancement. But as to the Estates, he plaid his part so successfully amongst them, that they consented to the drawing up an Answer the Twentieth day of July; By which the Duke and the Lorrain Princes most humbly thanked the Catholick King for the honour he did their House, protesting they would ever persevere in their ac∣knowledgments and a willingness to serve him, and declared they were ready to pro∣mise before the Legat to persuade the Estates of the Kingdom to approve the said Election, when there should be Forces sufficient to maintain it, and when they should have agreed to such Conditions as were reasonable to be secured to the Chiefs of the Party.

Hereupon great Contests arose between the Partisans of the Duke and those of Spain, these requiring they should go on with the Election, the others that it should be deferr'd. The Spaniards heard all without once opening their Mouths; in the end finding their Votaries were fewer by a third part then the other, they let go their hold. And which was more, the Duke, without any regard to their Requests, con∣cluded [month July.] to Treat for a Truce with the King, and named his Deputies for that purpose.

Many Prelats, some Doctors, and even three Curats of Paris, (of whom one was he of St. Eustache, named Rene Benoist) being sent for to St. Denis the Two and twentieth of July, the King came thither the next day and entred into Conference with them, to satisfie himself, as it were, of certain scruples yet remaining touching [Year of our Lord 1593] [month July.] some points of Religion. He was soon convinced: but the Cardinal de Bourbon was not so, that any other Bishop besides the Pope, had right to give him Absolution; the contrary notwithstanding was allowed, maugre his under-hand dealings, and vehe∣ment Remonstrances. The formulary of his Confession of Faith was drawn up, and the day appointed to make it the following Sunday. Some Prelats out of an ignorant Zeal had thrust in certain trifling things which were not very necessary: the King whose judgment was solid, could not relish such trash; wherefore they pared away all that was not essential to Faith; and yet they sent it as it was first drawn up to the Pope, the better to persuade his Holiness of his entire Conversion.

The Ceremony was performed in St. Denis Church, by the Archbishop of Bourges, as may be seen in the Memoirs of those times, seven or eight Bishops being present and all the Grandees of his Court, even Gabriela d'Estree; who had not a little con∣tributed to the Conversion of the King, having already conceived great hopes he would Marry her.

The same night all the Fields, from Montmartre (whither he went after Vespers to visit the Church of the Holy Martyrs) to Pontoise, were enlightned by great numbers of Bon-fires: which was soon after imitated by the Cities of the Royal Party, and accompanied with Feastings, Dancings and all other Tokens and Expressions of publick Rejoycing. From that very day, the People of Paris shewed plainly it was purely their aversion to Huguenotisin had engaged them to reject this Prince, for they ran forth in multitudes to this Ceremony, notwithstanding the prohibition of the Duke of Mayenne, and on a suddain changing that hatred they had for him into a real affection, began to call him their King, and not the Bearnois, as they had hitherto done, scoffing at all the declamations of their Preachers, who strove to make them per∣severe in their former Sentiments.

The Duke of Mayenne rejoycing also, or pretending to rejoyce at his Conversion, Treated with him about a Truce for three Months; and both of them agreed to send to the Pope to get his Absolution, without which the Duke would by no means hearken to a Peace; His intentions an•• interests, as he protested, being no other but to preserve the Catholick Religion, and Union with the Holy See.

Immediately the King named the Duke of Nevers and four or five other Persons of rare Merit, as well Churchmen, as some of the Robe, for this Negociation, and the Duke of Mayenne on his part chose the Cardinal de Joyeuse, and the Baron de [month August.] Senescay, but he dispatched them not till three Months after; and in the mean time suffer'd himself, I know not how to be re-engaged with the Spaniards by a new Oath he took, never to depart from the Holy Ʋnion, not to Treat with the King of Navarre, whatever Act of a Catholick he should perform, and to proceed to the Election of a most [Year of our Lord 1593] [month August.] Christian King; upon Condition they would furnish him with Twelve thousand Foot, six thousand Horse by them maintained, and some other Conditions.

But at the same time, fearing lest they should contrive some new Projects with the Estates, he sent part of the Deputies back into the Provinces, under colour of in∣forming the People of the present posture of Affairs. As for the residue of this As∣sembly, they remained in Paris till the Reduction of the City, being maintained by the King of Spain, who allowed them Eight thousand Crowns a Month.

He could not so easily get off from the Le••a s instances, who demanded the Council of Trent might be received entire by the Gallican Church. Although the Parlia∣ment and the Chapters opposed it, he was fain to give him this satisfaction by a Declaration, which was deliver'd to the Estates: but he eluded the Execution, ha∣ving first drawn this Assurance from him, That if there were any thing relating to the Im∣mu••ities and the Franchises of the Kingdom that ought to be maintain'd, his H••liness being required to allow the sim••, should make no denial or difficulty.

[month August.] The Truce in the mean time put a stop to thei•• proceedings in the Provinces; It made the Duke of A••ercoeur raise his Sie••e of Mo••t o nour, drew the Royalists from that of Poitiers, which B••issac most valiantly defende••, and ••reed the Ca tle of Ca∣vours from the Duke of Savoy: This Prince had been handled very ill by L••sdiguieres, and had likewise the misfortune some Months before to lose Roderick de Toledo Ge∣neral of the Milanese and Neapolitan Forces sent him by the King of Spain, who was utterly defeated and slain at the descent of the Mountain which extends towards the Douere near the Village of Salbeltran.

Espernon had missed of surprizing Marseille, but reduced Arles, and from thence came the Five and twentieth of June to encamp before Aix: where he built on the Hill St. Eutrope which commands the Town, a great Fort, or rather a Camp; for the circumference was so vast, that his whole Army lodged in it. It seemed also as if he would make it a Counter-City, having created two Consuls who wore Hoods and managed the Government of it.

He thinking to force Aix by this means, did not punctually observe the Truce, but doubled the Garison in his Fort, and continued to stop all their Provisions. The King who could ill suffer that a Man he did not love, should establish himself by force in that Province, made up a private Party to dispossess him. He chose Les••iguieres to be the Head, and joyned six Gentlemen of Provence with him, Oraison, St. Cannat, Valavoire, Crotes, and Buoux, who were Governors of the places of Manosque, Pertuis, St. Maximin, Digne and Forcalquier.

The absence of the Duke d'Espernon, who was gone to Pezenas in Languedoc, to confer with the Constable de Montmorency, and the hatred the Provenceaux bare against him, did marvellously favour their Enterprise. As soon as Lesdiguieres had sent to, [Year of our Lord 1593] [month August.] or shewed the Letters of Credence the King wrote to each of these five Gentlemen, and had explained his intentions and meaning, they all made a private League with the Count de Carces, excepting Buoux who refused to open his Commission and re∣mained in the Dukes Service. The day appointed, all by consent, drove out the Gascons and the Espernouists from their places; and the Count de Carces and those of Aix broke the Truce.

Escarrevaques and Souliers his Father in Law, did likewise stir up the People of Toulon, and besieged the Citadel, which they took by the help of two hundred Slaves, [month October.] to whom they gave their liberty. Signarc who commanded there, fell by the Sword with all his Garison: but Esgarrevaques his Enemy, was first wounded by a Musquet Shot of which he died.

Upon the rumour of this Rising, Tarascon, and almost all the other Towns de∣clared against Espernon: nothing was wanting to compleat the Enterprize but to shut up his Passage by the Rhosne and the Durance, so that he should not have been able to return into the Country: but they not minding to give Orders for it in due time, he got again into his Fort, and became strong enough to make them feel the smart of their imprudence.

When the Truce above mentioned was concluded, the greater part of the Prelats, Counsellors of State, and such as were of the Parliament, nay even some of the Deputies of the Estates, had secretly tendred their Respects to the King, either Personally or by the mediation of some Friends. While the King was hovering about Paris, one day the Seven and twentieth of August he being at Melun, they happily discover'd an Assassin Suborned by some Leaguers, who had undertaken to kill him with a Knife. His name was Peter Barriere a Native of Orleans, Aged Twenty [month August.] seven years, a Waterman by profession first, then a Soldier. The Prevost de l'Hostel made his Process: there was not sufficient proof against him, and the Tor∣ture of the Rack could not force him to own any thing: but the Confessor who stood by him at his death, prevailed with him to discover all. He was condemned to have his Hand cut off holding the Knife in it, his Flesh to be torn with red hot Pincers, then broken alive, and after he was dead, to be burnt, and his Ashes scatter'd in the Air.

The King had frequent notice of the like Conspiracies, most part contrived by Monks or Church-men: and therefore a Peace was the only Soveraign Remedy that could allay the madness of so many Frantick Spirits, he most earnestly desired to com∣pass it, and offer'd the Duke of Mayenne, quite ruined as he was, greater advan∣tages yet then he had done when his Affairs were most flourishing: but that Duke would not Treat till the Pope had given the King Absolution; and besides he had not Strength enough to break those Bonds the Spaniards had cast upon him; he Treated therefore at the same Instant both with the King and with them.

[Year of our Lord 1593] Mean while, to provide against all Events, he endeavour'd to seize upon Lyons [month August.] and joyn it with Burgundy, imagining perhaps that he of the two Kings with whom he should agree, might leave him that Country in Soveraignty. His Brother the Duke of Nemours, was become very absolute in that Government, having begirt and over-aw'd that great City by five or six places he held about it: but by the same means, and by reason of certain new Imposts which he laid by Advice of a Ferrarese, a Fellow of a seared Conscience, he became most odious to the People; In so much that the Archbishop of Lyons sent thither by the Duke of Mayenne, having under∣hand heightned their Discontents, and blown the Coals, carried it on so far that the Citizens took up Arms, and seized on the Person of the Duke of Nemours confining him to Pierre-Encise; but he got nothing by it: for they afterwards stood Neuters, not submitting to any Orders but their own, till their entire Reduction, although for form-sake they owned him as Lieutenant to the Duke of Mayenne.

People of honest Principles judged Nemours worthy to be so used, for his having [ ✚.] followed the cursed Policy of Machiavel, which makes Princes become Tyrants, and the People Miserable: but all the Heads of the League perceiving by this President what usage they were to expect from the Duke of Mayenne, did now study nothing but the best methods to secure their own Places, and to surprize others to make the better Accommodation with the King.

[month November.] He was then gone into Normandy to receive Bose-Rose (who commanded the Fort of Fescamp) to his obedience. While he was at Diepe, the Wife of John de Montluc Balagny Governor of Cambray, came to him by night to demand a prolongation of the Truce, till the Agreement with her Husband should be declared. He Treated upon these Conditions, That he and his should have Cambray, and Cambresis in full Soveraignty; That the King should take him into his Protection, and should allow him certain Pensions; and for this Balagny should acknowledge him only by kissing his Hand.

The joy this brought him, was soon disturbed by those bloody Reproaches the Queen of England made him for his change of Religion. When from Diepe he went to Calais, thinking to find some Agents from that Queen to begin a Treaty, he met nothing but Letters from her full of bitterness, and found she would recal her Forces out of Bretagne.

He had much ado to pacifie her, but much more to endure the presence and over∣free Discourses of the Deputies from the pretended Reformed Churches, whom he

had allowed to hold a General Assembly at Mantes, whither he returned at his de∣parture from Calais. He looked kindly upon them, received their Memorial, named Commissioners to examine it, and offer'd them satisfaction upon some Articles, such or very near, as they had already had under Henry III. But they could not be con∣tented with so little a Reward, for so great Services as they had rendred him, they demanded much more: so that not to exasperate them by an absolute denial, [Year of our Lord 1593] he only dismiss'd them, and permitted them to hold Provincial Assemblies, and after∣wards to Convocate a National Synod and Politick Assembly. [month December.]

His Conversion undermined the League to the very Foundation; It was now look'd upon, if we may so express it, only as a Castle in the Air, supported but by one single Stone, viz. the Popes denial to give him Absolution. In effect, his Holi∣ness would not suffer the Duke of Nevers to enter into Rome (which was in November) [month November, December and January.] but in Quality of a Prince of Italy, not of Ambassador, and upon condition he should remain there but two days, that he should receive no Visits, nor make any to the Cardinals. This Prince however contrived it so that the Term was prolonged, and he had Audience twice of the Pope, the first time in December, the other in Ja∣nuary: but brought thence no satisfaction for the King, though as to his own Person, they gave him as much and more then he desired.

The Duke of Mayenne failed not to talk high upon this refusal of his Holiness: However this was not a reason strong enough to with-hold such as were already in∣clining towards the King, and falling off from the League. Lewis de L'Hospital Vitry was discontented, for that the said Duke detained four and twenty thousand Crowns due upon Musters to his Company of Gentsdarmes; This Man was the first who return'd to his obedience, as he had been the first that left the King after the death of Henry III. When he forsook that Party formerly, he was Governor of Dourlens, which place he left to them, and made a shew as if he would have done the like by Meaux now to the League, telling the Inhabitants, whom he expressly called together, that he freely left them to their own liberty, only his Advice was they should follow his Example. This said, he went forth with his Troop of Horse: but had so well disposed of Affairs before-hand, that they deputed some to him the same day to desire he would come back, put on their White Scarfs, and turned away Five hundred Men (much amazed) whom the Duke of Mayenne had sent thither. Vitry had Twenty thousand Crowns Reward of the King, the Office of Bayliff, and Governor of the City, with the Reversion of both for his Son, and the Bourgeois the confirmation of their Priviledges, and an exemption from Tailles for nine years.

All other Governors bargain'd for more or less, according to the importance of their Places, or the quality of their Persons. Most of the Cities got likewise several Advantages, accordingly as those that directed them were Politick or Affectionate: [Year of our Lord 1593] but every one almost would have it inserted in their Treaties, That there should be [month December.] no Exercise of the Pretended Reformed Religion allowed within such a certain distance of their Territories.

[Year of our Lord 1594] The design was laid and a great Party made to receive the King into Paris, and to this purpose he came to St. Denis. The Duke of Mayenne having got some hint of [month January.] it, took the Government from the Count de Belin and gave it to Brissac, whom he be∣lieved the most faithful of all his Partisans. The Parliament finding by this their Measures broken, and apprehending the Duke would make the Spaniards Masters of the City, spake warmly to him that they might keep Belin: the Duke urged some Reasons to the contrary, but those satisfied not, and they continued their Assemblies. The business grew hot to such a degree that the Duke made his Soldiers and Friends take up Arms, whence would have followed most grievous Slaughter in the Streets, and perhaps the utter loss of Paris to the King, had not the wisest of that great Body, temporised and persuaded the rest to give way yet for a while.

The Third day of the Month of January hapned the Reduction of the City of Aix. The Duke of Mayenne did not think there had been any place more assured to his Party then this same, because the Count de Carces had Married a Daughter of his Wives, nevertheless this Lord failed him. Being thereto disposed by the Gentle∣men Provenceaux who had declared themselves Enemies to the Duke d'Espernon, and withall fearing the event of a Siege, he resolved to chuse a Master that should be suf∣ficiently able to protect them; and thereupon persuaded the General Council of the Province to acknowledge the King, and to beseech him at the same time to give them another Governor then Espernon.

The Parliament therefore Ordained the same day that all Acts of Justice should be done in the Name of the King; and by any another Decree made some days after, declared Rebels, and guilty of High-Treason whoever would not obey him. The Archbishop Genebrard refused to submit, and having kept himself concealed ten or twelve days, retired to Marseilles with the Duke of Mayennes Agent.

After this Example, Lyons which ever since the imprisonment of the Duke of Nemours, had kept it self as Neutral, declared also for the Kings Party. The Es∣chevins and principal Citizens having made their Treaty with Alfonso d'Ornano, and received an assurance of the confirmation of their Priviledges, an entire Amnesty, and that there should be no Exercise but of the Catholick Religion in their City and Suburbs. The Five and twentieth of January, d'Ornano being advanced with his [Year of our Lord 1594] Forces to the Suburbs de la Guillotiere, they set up Barricado's, and cry'd out, Let [month January.] the French Liberty live! Down with the Tyranny of the Italians. The next day they all with one Voice shouted and cried, Vive le Roy; and all the Inhabitants, Men, Women, and Children, put on white Scarfs. Now having found amongst the Dukes Papers no less then seventeen new Imposts of the Italian invention, which he would have laid on them, had they not surprized him, as was before related, they prudently Ordained in a General Assembly of their Town-Hall, (and made every Member Swear [ ✚.] to it) they would never admit any of them to publick Offices.

The Fifteenth of February, Orleans follow'd the same dance, la Chastre being [month February.] brought over by a good round Sum of Money, the assurance of a Mareschals Staff, the Government of the said City and the Country of Berry, from whence in favour to him all the Garisons were to be dismissed, excepting those in the Tower of Bourges, and the Castle of Meun upon Yeure. There were two Factions in the City which wholly divided it, the Fraternity of the small Cord, otherwise called by the name of Jesus, invented by a Cordelier, a Zealous Leaguer: and the Politicks who in∣clined to the King. To execute his design he strengthned himself with the last, se∣cur'd the leading Men of the other Faction, or turned those out of Town he could not gain; after these Precautions, he declared the Seventeenth of February in the Town-Hall the intention he had to submit to the King, and exhorted the Inhabitants to follow his Example, or suffer him to retire. So soon as he had finished his Ha∣rangue, the Bishop and principal Persons gave him most humble Thanks for procuring their Reconciliation with their Natural Soveraign, and protested they would embrace his Resolution. They then read the Articles granted by the King, which were Ra∣tified with all the Signs and Expressions of Joy.

Bourges did the same within few days after, and upon the same Conditions. The presence of the Duke of Mayenne retained Paris: and till that vast Body were dis∣posed for so great a Mutation, the King employ'd his time in his Coronation, as well to remove that Scruple the Ancient Customs of the French imprinted in the minds of many, that this being wanting he could not assume the Title of King of France, as to convince the People more and more that he was thoroughly persuaded of the Religion of his Ancestors.

Now because he had not yet the City of Reims in his possession, nor the Saincte Ampoule, (the Holy Oyl) which is there kept in the Abby of St. Remy, he made choice of Nostre-Dame Church of Chartres, most famous for her Devotion to the Virgin, and from the Abby of Marmoustier caused a Viol to be brought, said to be that which Severus Sulpicius and Fortunate Bishop of Poitiers, in their Writings affirm to have been brought by an Angel to the great St. Martin, to restore his Limbs bat∣ter'd by a fall from top to bottom of a pair of Stairs. The Twenty seventh of Fe∣bruary, Nicholas de Thou Bishop of Chartres performed the Ceremony after the same manner as it had wont to be at Reims.

[Year of our Lord 1594] The Duke of Mayenne saw his Party drop off hourly one after another without [month February.] being able either to hinder this Revolution, or make his Treaty with the King: for he had Sworn not to obey him till he were absolved by his Holiness. Notwith∣standing, because they saw all the Governors of those Places for the League (whom he had sent for to Paris about the end of the last year, and with whom he had held Council without calling in the Spaniards) did surrender this present year to the [month March.] King, and that himself went out of Paris the Sixth of March, and took his Wife and Children with him, many suspected he had agreed with the King, and that he only seemed to remain in that Party to prevent those that were of the Spanish Faction from giving up that City to Strangers in some fit of despair.

He could not be ignorant how Brissac Treated with the King, and that he pre∣tended cause of discontent, for that he had not given him satisfaction upon the Duke of Elboeufs turning him out of Poitiers, after he the last year so bravely defended it against the Royalists. All was in readiness for above two Months past to receive the King at Paris: but the Seize (or Sixteen) seconded by the Spanish Garison, and four thousand of the Rabble, to whom the Ambassador of Spain gave each a Rix∣doller per week, and a proportion of Wheat, did so narrowly observe him that he could not put his design in execution: It is said, likewise, that having discover'd it they were resolved to prevent him, and to rid themselves of those that were most active in assisting him: These were, amongst others, the President le Maistre l'Huillier Prevost des Merchands, du Vair a Counsellor, and l'Anglois an Eschevin or Sheriff.

These being Sagacious Men, and having a desire to save their Country, not to bring it under oppression, forgot not, before they proceeded farther, to have a particular and express assurance from the King;

That no manner of Violence should be done to any one Inhabitant of the City, neither in Body or Goods; That he should give a general Indemnity without any exception; That he should take them all into his Protection; And as for the Strangers, That he should let them go Scot-free with Bag and Bagage.

The Orders given for the night between the One and two and twentieth of March, to seize upon the Ramparts and Gates, the King who had drawn his Troops toge∣ther at St. Denis, came to Montmartre. The only difficulty remaining with Brissac, was to shake off those Spaniards the Duke of Feria had allotted to accompany him in going the Rounds, with Order to kill him upon the first noise they should hear from without: but they were not so crafty in contriving pretences not to leave him, as he was in forging excuses to send them off.

When he had rid himself of them, in less then half an hour the Kings Forces entred, one part by the Porte-Neuve and the Port St. Denis, another Party descended along the River, and made themselves Masters of the Ramparts on that side, as also of the Arsenal, the Grand Chastellet, the Palais, and the Avenues to the Bridges, [Year of our Lord 1594] without meeting any opposition, excepting one Court of Guard of Lansquenets, who [month March.] were cut in pieces upon the School-Key for not crying Vive le Roy. The Bourgeois likewise secured their Quarters, and Pad-lock'd up the Doors of the most Zealous Leaguers, lest they should come forth to disturb them, placed Courts of Guards at the Quarrefours, (or Corners of meeting Streets) and marched thorough all the Town with Vive le Roy in their Mouths, and Bills of general Pardon in their Hands which they distributed to all they met. The Populace followed the Soldiery and mixed familiarly with them; the Spanish and Walloon Garisons did not stir out of Doors.

The King being within two hundred paces of the City, Brissac brought and deliver'd up the Keys to him, and in Recompence received the Mareschals Staff, and a promise of being made an Honorary Counsellor in Parliament, of considerable advantage in those days. About Ten in the Morning, being informed all was very quiet, and that his Forces were in Battalia in all the Markets and spacious Streets, he entred into the City by the New-Gate, accompanied by great numbers of the Nobless and his Companies d'Ordonnance, and went directly to Nostre-Dame to hear Mass, and sing the Te Deum, commanding Five hundred Men to march before him with their Pikes trailing, as signifying this Victory was voluntary.

Some Mutineers having made a shew of resistance, fled and hid themselvs at home. Before it was Noon, all the City was in admiration to find they were in as much quiet as ever they had been in the profoundest Peace, and by that were fully confirmed in the esteem they had of the more then ordinary goodness and wise Conduct of their King. He found his Dinner compleatly ready at the Louvre, and his whole House in as good order as if he had resided there a long time. He sent to offer Safe-conduct to the Duke of Feria and the Spaniards, and Order'd a Party of Horse to Convoy them to the Arbre de Guise.

About three in the Afternoon they marched forth by the Gate St. Denis, the King looking out of a Window to see them. Their Colours were furl'd, and their Drums cover'd, carrying along with them some off-cast Prostitutes, and about thirty pas∣sionate Leaguers. The most Zealous was Boucher Curate of St. Benoist, who died

Dean of Tournay above Fifty years after, but much changed in humour, being as great a French Zealot amongst Strangers, as he had been furiously Spanuolized in France.

When the King entred into Paris, he sent St. Luc to assure the Cardinals de Piacenza and de Pelleve, and the Dutchesses of Nemours and Montpensier, that they should re∣ceive no injury, in testimony whereof he allowed them some of his Guards: but the Cardinal de Pelleve had no need of it, for he resigned his Soul in the Hostel of Sens while they were singing the To Deum. The King did not refuse the Cardinal de Piacenza a Safe-conduct, though he had acted with so much passion against him; he even suffer'd him to take along the Jesuit Verade, and Aubry Curate of St. Andre dez Ars, though guilty of the detestable attempt of Barriere.

[Year of our Lord 1594] The third day after, Captain du Bourg surrendred the Bastille, and Beau-lieu the [month March.] Castle of Bois de Vincennes; and at the end of the eighth, the King ordered a general Procession, where he assisted in Person with his whole Court, to render Thanks to God for his having restored to him the Capital City of his Kingdom.

It was not thought necessary to wait the return of the Parliament at Tours to verifie the Declaration which re-establish'd those who were remaining in Paris, as also another granted in favour of Brissac and the City of Paris. The Direction or Ad∣dress, was after an extraordinary manner,

To the Chancellor and other Officers of the Crown, Dukes, and Pairs, Counsellors of State, and Masters of Requests, to Read, Publish, and Register them in the Registry of the Parliament, and other the Soveraign Courts.

Those who had served the King in this important Reduction, were not left with∣out Rewards. The Parliament being re-established, the King made a new President∣ship for le Maistre, he also created one in the Chambre des Comptes for l'Huillier, and two of Masters of Requests for du Vair and l'Anglois. Honest and dis-interessed People said, that if their intentions were purely to serve the King and the Publick, [ ✚.] they had shewed themselves more generous in being contented with the glory of their Action, then by desiring a Recompence which could not but be a charge upon the [☞] Purses both of the King and his People.

To obliterate, as much as it was possible the sorrowful remembrances of what was past, Peter Pithou Counsellor in Parliament, had order to raze out of the Re∣gisters in Court all such Acts as had been forged during the Troubles against the Kings Authority; John Seguier de Autry Lieutenant Civil, caused all Libels to be burnt, with severe Prohibition either to Print any more, or keep any by them; And the Parliament having changed their Style, made a Decree the Thirtieth of this Month,

Which vacated and disannull'd all Decrees, Judgments, and Oaths, made since the Ninth day of December 1588. which should be found any ways prejudicial to the Kings Authority and the Laws of the Kingdom, as having been extorted by force▪ Declared null all that had been done against the Honour of King Henry III. and Ordained Information should be made of the detestable Parricide committed on his Person; Abolished all Feasts and Solemnities the League had instituted upon occasion of the late Troubles; Revoked the Power and Authority given to the Duke of Mayenne; Enjoyned him, and all others to acknowledge the King; And commanded a yearly general Procession to be made upon the Two and twentieth of March, in remembrance of the Reduction of Paris, whereat that Court to be present in their Scarlet Robes.

To the Authority of Parliament they joyned that of the University, thoroughly [month April.] to satisfie the Scruples of divers Ecclesiasticks, as well Seculars as Religious, who yet doubted whether they might obey the King, before he were absolved by his Holiness. To this purpose Renauld de Beaulne newly promoted to the Archbisho∣prick [Year of our Lord 1594] of Sens, called first an Assembly of the Curates of Paris, who unanimously [month April.] acknowledge they were convinced by his Reasons; Then another Body of the Uni∣versity in the Royal Colledge of Navarre the Two and twentieth of April: where the Rector, all his Deputies, and a great number of Scholers and Religious Votaries of all Orders, Sware

to be faithful to the King even to the shedding of their Blood, renounced all Leagues, and retrenched the Refractory from their Bodies, as spurious and rotten Members.

The same week returned the Members of Parliament and other Companies who were at Tours. The Governor of Paris, (this was Francis d'O whom the King had restored to that Command) a great number of the Nobility, and the most noted Citizens, went to meet them as far as Bourg-la-Reyne. Thus all were re-united

without trouble to any Man, unless it were about some fifty Persons, to whom the King sent Tickets to quit the Town. These were most notorious People, neverthe∣less many others took so hot an alarm upon it, that it was like to have produced very ill effects.

Paris thus reduc'd, the other Cities came in with so much haste as if striving to precede each other. The Six and twentieth of April, Villars brought in Rouen, Havre, Montivilliers, and Pont-Audemer: but of all the Chiefs of the League he set the highest price upon what he did, and would abate nothing of

Twelve hundred thousand Livers in Money, sixty thousand Livers Pension, the Government of all those Cities, without owning (for three years time) the Duke of Montpensier, who had that of the Province,

and the Office of Admiral. Biron having this, it could not be taken from him without wounding his very Heart, and that the more deeply, for that Villars was his Concurrent both in Valour and Reputation.

[month April and May] At the same time, or soon after, May-David returned to his Duty with the City of Verneuil. As also the Magistrates and Bourgeois brought in Monstreuil and Abbeville in Picardy. Troyes in Champagne after they had forced out the Prince of Joinville the Governonor, Sens in Burgundy, and Rion in Auvergne. Montluc Governor for the League in Agenois, brought in Agen, Villeneuve, and Marmanda.

During this Torrent of Prosperities, the King had information that Count Mans∣feld, after a Conference which the Duke of Mayenne held with him, had besieged la Capelle, and going to relieve it, found it at the last gasp; He had his revenge upon the City of Laon. The Duke had left his second Son in it with the President Jeannin as his chief Council and Adviser. The King besieged it about the end of May, the Enterprize was hazardous for him, he wanted Ammunitions, and the dis∣content of the Mareschal de Biron, who was the Soul of his Enterprizes, were a [Year of our Lord 1594] dangerous Remora. Mansfeld approached to relieve it, his Army was posted upon [month May and June] a rising ground, not far from the Kings, for seven or eight days; Then wanting Provisions, and having seen two Convoys of his bravest Men, went to fetch some from la Fere, defeated, he retired into Artois, where Sickness compleated the ruine of his Forces.

The Place defended it self yet a long time and very obstinately, not capitulating till the Two and twentieth of July, to surrender upon the First of August, if they were not relieved by that day. In the Attacks Givry was slain, the most accomplish'd Cavalier of the whole Court, both for his Heroick Valour, his skill in all Polite Learning, his ready wit and ingenious gallantry. An Amorous despair occasioned [month July and Aug.] by the infidelity of a Princess, made him so often court and seek a kinder fate in death, that in the end he met his wishes.

During this Siege, the Baron de Pesche Treated with the King for the Town of Chasteau-Thierry, and the Inhabitants of Poitiers for theirs, the Government of it and of the Provinces were left to the Duke d'Elboeuf. After the Capitulation of Laon, the Magistrates of Amiens, Bea••vais, and Peronne, alarmed for that the Spanish Cabal would have engaged them to take a new Oath, returned to their Duty, those of Amiens having forced the Dukes of Mayenne and Aumale to quit their City. Dourlens, which in the Reign of Henry III. had been given as a place of security to the Duke of Aumale, would needs be comprehended in the Edict of the Reduction of Amiens.

[month September.] In the Month of September the King laid Siege to Noyon; Descluseaux who com∣manded within, gave it up the Eighteenth of October. Thus he recover'd all Picardy, excepting three places, Soissons, Ham, and la Fere; which were in the power, the first of the Duke of Mayenne, the second the Duke of Aumale, and the third of the Spaniards. For Colas, Vice-seneschal of Montelimar who was Master of this last, had given himself up entirely to them; and in Recompence they gave him the Demaine with the Title of a County.

[month June and July] There were yet certain Contrivances hatching in Paris to re-imbroil the Kingdom. The greatest part of the Royalist Lords were angry that the Leaguers carried away most of the Money and the best Rewards; they repented likewise the having dis∣patched and advanced the Kings Affairs so soon, that he was now almost in a Con∣dition not to want their further help. The Parisians were more alarmed at the fifty Persons he had banished the City, then they could be assured by all his Declarations; The Cardinal de Bourbon could not put the ambitious-pleasing imagination of a

Crown out of his thoughts; The Count de Soissons his Brother was wounded to the very Soul, because the King refused to let him have his Sister, after he had most so∣lemnly promised it; and Biron afflicted and discontented they had deprived him of [Year of our Lord 1594] [month June and July] the Admiralty, was come to divert his melancholy thoughts at Paris: where he met with so kind a Reception, that the King conceived some jealousie, and ran thither from the Siege of Laon, that by his presence he might dissipate those practises which possibly they would have carried on against his Interest.

As for the Cardinal of Bourbon, death put an end to his aspiring hopes, and the Kings fears, soon after, about the end of July. He believed he was poyson'd by [month October.] a Lady whom he had tenderly loved. In the Month of October following Francis d'O Sur-Intendant des Finances, ended his life in his Hostel at Paris, his Soul and Body being equally corrupted by all sorts of Villany. The King was easily consoled for his loss, because he made prodigious devastations, and yet held him as it were under Tutelage. After this he for a time ordered his revenue to be managed by four or five in Commission: but finding no satisfaction in a multitude (still disagreeing and self-interessed) he restored the Sur-Intendance, and gave it to Sancy and Rosny.

While the Chiefs and the Cities of the League were pressing their surrender to the King that they might be at ease, the Peasants and Commons of the upper Guy∣enne rose and took up Arms, to defend themselves from the plundrings of the Nobi∣lity, and the cruel vexations of Tax-gatherers. They gave them the nick-name of Tard-Advisez * 1.73, and they again retorted the appellation of Croquants * 1.74, because in effect they feed upon and devoured the poor Country People. Their first Rendez∣vous was in Limosin: Chambret who was Governor there for the King, beat and dis∣persed them. Those of Angoulmois who endeavour'd to do the same, were like∣wise scatter'd by Massez the Kings Lieutenant in that Country. But it was not so fa∣cile to appease those of Perigord. A Country Notary first brought them together in the Forest of Absac, within a League of Limiel: and they afterwards had divers other Assemblies, where they increased to the number of Forty thousand. The Mareschal de Matignon enervated their whole Strength by inveigling from amongst them all such as had born Arms, of whom he formed several Companies and sent them into Languedoc; the King allay'd the rest of the Storm by remitting the re∣mainder of their Tailles.

[ June and July] Bretagne and Burgundy were yet standing out, not having submitted to the King. We may say one part of Provence also, for he thought it worse in the hands of Esper∣non then in those of the League. The Inhabitants of Laval introduced the Mares∣chal d'Aumont into their City. Lesonnot Governor of Concarneaux treated with him, Talhouet soon after did the same for Redon; and made himself Master of Morlaix by the assistance of the Bourgeois, and of the Castle after a long Siege. There were five thou∣sand [Year of our Lord 1594] Spaniards in the Province commanded by one Don Juan d'Aquila, and the Duke of [month October.] Mercoeur had three thousand very good Men; so that if they could have agreed together, they would have been stronger then the Royalists: but the jealousie of those two Nations, and the peeks between the two Chiefs rendred them incompatible.

Aquila refused to joyn with the Duke to relieve the Castle; the Duke did the same when Aumont had besieged the Fort of Crodon, which the Spaniards had built with great expence upon the point de la Langue, which divides the Gulf of Conquet, and commands it. Before this Quinpercorentin (being only invested) had surrendred to the Mareschal, and soon after the Town of St. Malo perfected their Treaty; wherein her Merchants made it appear they were neither ignorant in their Interests, nor in their Politicks.

As for Provence, the King durst not overtly set aside the Duke of Espernon, as well because of the Intelligence he might contract with Spain and Savoy, as because of his Alliances with the Mareschal de Bouillon, the Duke de la Trimouille and Ventadour, who besides were very much discontented; and even with the Constable de Montmorency (I call him so, for the Sword was given him the precedent year.) He therefore only sent for him to come to Court, to do equal Justice upon his and the Countries Complaints. But the said Duke having four thousand Men lent him by the Constable, and five and twenty hundred which himself had raised, he returns into his Fort, and held the City of Aix by the throat, as he did the Count de Carces, and the Parliament, exercising his revenge upon all those that fell into his hands.

Lesdiguieres moved by their re-iterated cries, quitted the Affairs of Savoy to go and succour them. He passed the River of Durance at Ourgon, and intrenched him∣self [month May, &c.] at Senas. Espernon came bravely forth to meet him, and try'd him by great Skirmishes: but could not stop his march, for the Constable would not risque his Men, but even withdrew them quite.

This Lord, who after a long Series of Troubles and Crosses was become huge Cir∣cumspect, found it much safer to make himself a Mediator, then a Party in a Cause, wherein it was to be feared the King would declare. He therefore procured a Truce for three Months, during which time, the Fort was deposited in the hands of Lafin, a perpetual Negociator. Lafin had undertaken to put three hundred Men in Garison there to keep it in Sequestration. Lesdiguieres found means to slip in a great many Soldiers that belonged to him amongst those others: so that by his invention the Fort was in his disposition. Being therefore one day, the Eleventh of July, gone [month July.] out of Aix, as if to fetch a walk, he approaches insensibly to the Fort, and when he was near enough; commands the Captain in the name of the King, to give it up that it might be razed. He no sooner spake but the Garison set open the Gates to him in despite of the Captain; and at the same time he abandons the said Fort to the Provencaux, who in less then two days ruined that vast work which the Spanish [Year of our Lord 1594] Army had been above a year in raising. [month July.]

That done he returned into Daufine, apprehending the great preparations for War the Duke of Savoy was making. Lesdiguieres had taken several little places in his Country: This Prince having regained them all during his absence, did also take Briqueras even in his sight, making good use in this Enterprize of the Milanese Forces [month August.] who were going to wage War in Burgundy.

[month November.] The King going, after the taking of Noyon, to visit his Frontiers of Champagne, (this was in the Month of November) agreed to a Peace with the Duke of Lorrain, who had endeavour'd to make it above a twelvemonth before by Bassompiere.

He promised this Duke to do right to him, and his Children, as to the Succession of Catharine de Medicis their Grandmother; without prejudice to what the Duke pretended, as well in his own behalf as theirs, to the Dutchies of Bretagne and Anjou, and the Counties of Provence, Blois and Coucy. He left the propriety of Marsal to him, and to his Successors, the Cities of Dun and Stenay in exchange of Jamets, which the Duke rendred to France. And moreover promised him the Go∣vernment of Toul and Verdun for one of his Sons, and to the Brother of that Son that should survive him.

Bassompiere had the Lands of Vaucouleurs engaged to him for an old Debt of Sixty eight thousand Crowns, and for thirty six thousand more he lent in ready Money to the Treasury.

In the same Month of November was in like manner concluded the Treaty be∣tween the Duke of Guise and the King: who by this means retrieved likewise the Cities in Champagne which were yet in the Leaguers hands. Some Months before, this young Prince having none that were considerable in his absolute disposal, had se∣cur'd himself of Rheims after this manner. St. Pol, a Creature of his Fathers, and who saved his Life the day before the Barricado's, master'd this Town by means of a Redoubt he had built at the Gate called Mars, and pretended by this piece and some others which he held, to make the King confirm his Mareschals Staff to him. The Duke who would needs get this prey to make his own Composition the better, quarrel'd with him one day in the Streets of Rheims, and ran his Sword into his Belly. By his death he became Master of Rheims, and having withall the Cities of Rocry, St. Dizier, and Ginville, he procured a very advantageous Treaty. For they gave him four hundred thousand Crowns in Silver, the Government of those Places, besides that of Provence; The last not so much to gratisie him as to dispossess Espernon, and perhaps that they might ruine one another thereby.

Burgundy, which hitherto had remained almost entirely for the Duke of Mayenne, began to give him the slip. Auxerre, Mascon, and Avalon, broke his Bonds. Dijon and Beaulne were upon the point to do the same when he flew thither with his Light-Horse. Now perceiving he could contain them no longer by fair, he used foul means and severity, caused in Dijon the Heads of James Vernes, who was the Mayor, to be ••ut off, and Captain Gau's, razed the Suburbs of Beauln••, doubled the Garison, [Year of our Lord 1594] and fill'd up all the Gates excepting one; Moreover, to preserve the rest of the [month November.] Province, he persuaded the Spaniards to make a sudden War on that side.

Meer necessity kept him yet in Confederacy with those dangerous Friends. He knew the Duke of Feria and Diego d'Ibarra imputed all this decadency of Affairs to his treachery, which could indeed be justly imputed to nothing but his slowness and irresolution; He knew they hated him so mortally, that when he went to the Arch-Duke Ernestus, after the Siege of Laon, they had deliberated to take off his Head as a Traytor, and seeing the Arch-Dukes Council would not concur in that point, they had essay'd to rid their hands of him by Poyson, or by Poniard.

And, indeed, some imagin'd it was he who first, to revenge himself for their un∣handsom Treatments, possess'd the Kings Council, by such Friends as he had amongst them, with the design of declaring War against them, and that he had privately made his Treaty with the King. However it were, the Party was strong enough in Council to persuade him to a Rupture. The Huguenots desired it out of that perfect hatred they still bear to the Spaniards: The Catholicks to divert the Huguenots from their Contrivances; by giving them this satisfaction, and such Employments as would have been improper to entrust them withall upon any other Service. The honest Frenchmen to unite all hearts together, revive their affections for their Country, and consound all the remainders of Factions and Cavils about Religion, in the more zea∣lous prosecution of this common Quarrel. The Politicks, in fine, to make a strong Revulsion without, of that Venom which caused so much mischief within, and to employ the Enemies of the Kingdom in quenching a Fire at their own homes, in stead of suffering them to blow the Coals continually in France.

It was therefore resolved in the Kings Council to carry the War into their Country; and because Hainault and Artois were known to lie the most exposed to that ruine which must follow upon a Rupture between the two Crowns, it was judg'd fit to write to the principal Cities of those Provinces, that if they could not prevail with the King of Spain to withdraw his Forces out of the Territories of France, and if they did not forbear to make War upon his Subjects and the Cambresians, whom he had taken into his protection, he was resolved quickly to make them feel the weight of his Arms.

It is held that three Persons did more especially inspire the King with this design; Gabrielle d'Estree his Mistress, Balagny, and the Mareschal de Bouillon. Gabrielle that [Year of our Lord 1594] he might Conquer the Franche-Compte for her Son Caesar, Balagny that he might [month November,] plunder Hainault and Artois, the Mareschal for two ends, the one to maintain himself in the Seigneury of Sedan, the other to give an opportunity to Prince Maurice of Nassaw his Brother in Law, to fix his Grandeur by securing the liberty of the United-Provinces. For we must know that Charlote de le Mark, the Mareschals Wife, hap∣ning to die some Months before without Children, he retained that Principality, by vertue, said he, of a Testamentary Donation she had made to him, and the ac∣quisition of the right of the Duke of Montpensier, and had very lately betroathed Elizabeth the Sister of Prince Maurice.

He vaunted of having Correspondents ready to spring their Mines in the Country of Luxembourg, Balagny promised to make a great breach in Artois, and Sancy was positively confident of prevailing with the Swiss to Conquer the Franche-Compte. The Duke of Lorrain, too, offer'd towards this Expedition four thousand Men commanded by Tremblecour and Aussonville. In effect they did enter the Comte at the very beginning of the following year: but it was against his interest and contrary to his intention. Neither did they do any thing but make some incursions very ruinous to the poor People, except it were their taking the little Towns of Vezou, Luxeu, and Jonville.

[month December.] The King made his approaches to the Frontiers of Artois, imagining to have had some good success there: the severity of the Winter brought him back to Paris, and almost to a tragical death. For the same day he arrived (which was the Seven and twentieth of December) at six in the Evening, while he was in his Mistresses Chamber at the Hostel du Bouchage, and stepped forward to embrace Montigny, he received a stroke with a Knife on the lower Lip which broke one of his Teeth.

Immediately they seized upon a young Fellow who was thrusting into the Crowd, and by his scared Countenance they knew it must be he had made the attempt. His name was John Chastel, Son of a Woolen-Draper dwelling before the great Gate

of the Palais, aged about Nineteen years, a melancholy Spirit, who said in his In∣terrogatories; That he was prompted to commit this Crime, because finding him∣self laden with hainous and unpardonable Sins, and imagining he could not avoid the Torments of Hell, he had thought at least to diminish them by this attempt; which he believed to be a Meritorious Act, for that, said he, the King not being re∣conciled to the Church, could be nought but a Tyrant. He confessed likewise that he had made his Exercises in the Colledge of Clermont under the Jesuits, and that [Year of our Lord 1594] they had often led him into a Chamber of Meditations where Hell was represented [month December.] with several most frightful Figures.

This disposition added to the injurious Libels against Henry III. and against the King now Reigning, found in the Chamber of John Guignard one of the Fathers of the Society, and whereof he was the Author; (and likewise the remembrance of the zeal which some amongst them had manifested for the interests of Spain) and some Maxims their Preachers had published against Kings and against the ancient Laws of the Kingdom, and the opinions was held of them that by means of their Colledges and Auricular Confessions, they perverted the minds of the Youthful, and of the tender Conscienced which way best pleased them) gave occasion to the Parliament to involve the whole Society in the same punishment due for the Crimes of particulars.

Thus by one and the same Decree which was pronounced the Nine and twentieth of the Month, and executed by Torch-light, they condemned John Chastel,

to suf∣fer the pains accustomed for the like Parricides, and Ordained that the Priests and Scholers of the Colledge of Clermont, and others calling themselves of the Society of Jesus, as being Corrupters of Youth, Disturbers of the Common Peace and Enemies to the King and State, should within three days leave their House and Colledge, and in fifteen the whole Kingdom; and that all what belonged to them should be employ'd to pious uses, accordingly as the Parliament should dispose of it.

Some other Parliaments following the same Sentiments with this of Paris, banish'd them by a like Decree: but that of Bourdeaux and that of Thoulouze refused to con∣form to it, so that they sheltred themselves in Guyenne and Languedoc till they were recalled. By another Decree, John Guignard having owned his Defamatory Writings, was condemned to be Hanged, not for the having made them, but for having kept them. By another also, John Gueret, under whom Chastel had gone thorough his Courses of Philosophy, and the Father of this wretched Parricide were banished the Kingdom, the first to perpetuity, and the second for nine years; and it was Or∣dained his House should be demolished, and in its place a Pyramid of Carved Stone to be erected which should contain the cause of it. Upon one of the four Faces was the Decree engraven, and on the other three, divers Latin Inscriptions in Verse and Prose, in detestation of the Memory of that horrid Attempt, and that Doctrine which was held to have been the occasion of it.

[Year of our Lord 1594] [month December.] Now the term the King had prefixed to the Hennuyers and Artesians being expir'd without their giving him any answer, he caused a Declaration of War to be pub∣lished against King Philip and his Subjects, it hapned some weeks after that the Arch-Duke* 1.75 Ernest Governor of the Low-Countries died the One and twentieth of February, King Philip committing the Administration to Peter Henriques Guisman Count de Fuentes, till he had otherwise disposed of it.

The Duke of Nemours having made his escape from the Castle of Pierre-Encise, dis∣guised in the habit of a Valet, and carrying the Pan of his Closs-stool, got imme∣diately on Horseback, and with his Friends and three thousand Swiss lent him by the Duke of Savoy, took several Forts round about Lyons, whereby he thought to famish that great City: but the Constable de Montmorency who brought a thousand Maistres, and four thousand of the Kings Foot, having received Order to remain in that Coun∣try, [Year of our Lord 1595] shut up the Duke himself in Vienne, so close, that his Swiss weary of the great [month January.] want they endured, retired into Savoy to the Marquiss de Trefort General of that Dukes [month December in 1594. and January, &c.] Army, who far from being able to relieve him, was forc'd to let the Constable Sol∣diers winter in Bress where they had taken Montluel.

[Year of our Lord 1595] Whilst the Duke of Nemours was gone to the Constable of Castille, with design of engaging him to come into Lyonnois, Disimieu his most intimate Confident, to whom

[month April.] he had committed the Guard of Pipet chief Castle of Vienne, treated his Accommo∣dation the Twelfth of April, drew his Men into the Town, and invited the Con∣stable thither, who took the Oaths of the Inhabitants. Nemours, who thought this bosom Friend had been proof against all Temptations, was like to have lost his wits when he heard of this infidelity. Such as were inclined to believe the worst (and [ ☞.] who judge of others actions by their own interpretation, which is too often true) said the motives that guided Lisimieu had more of self-interest then duty, and chose rather to call him Traitor to his Friend, then faithful to his King. And even when Nemours fell sick, whether for grief or some other cause, they reported he had given him a Fig to prevent his Resentment.

[month January.] Really this Prince was invaded by a strange malady, and almost like that of Charles IX. Blood flowed in great quantities from his Mouth. His more then ordi∣nary courage did for some time resist the violence of this Distemper: but when he was so much attenuated that he could no longer stand upon his Feet, he desired to be carried to his Castle of Anecy in Savoy; and there having languished for some Months in such a dismal condition, as drew tears from the Eyes of every one that beheld him, he resigned up his Soul about mid-July, aged twenty eight years. The Mar∣quiss de Sainct Sorlin his Brother succeeded him in the Dutchy of Nemours and other Territories, and soon after came to an agreement with the King.

[month February.] The Duke of Mayenne had not so much love for him as to be grieved, but the pe∣joration of his Affairs brought grief enough upon him from elsewhere. In the Month of February the Inhabitants of Beaulne, to whom the King the preceding year had granted a four Months Truce, fell upon that Garison the Duke had re-in∣forced, and called the Mareschal de Biron to their aid, who then besieged the Castle [Year of our Lord 1595] [month February.] de Monstier-Sainct Jean hard by. This Mareschal having forced three hundred Sol∣diers who yet defended themselves in the City, to capitulate, laid Siege to the Castle; which surrendred within a Month, having in vain expected the Duke of Mayenne [month April.] would have joyned his Forces with the Duke of Nemours to deliver them.

The Cities of Autun and Aussonne finding his declining condition, did also quit his Party; the first by the advice and management of their Maire, the second by a Treaty Senecay made with the King who left him the Government of it.

By the example of Beaulne, the Inhabitants of Dijon took Arms in the beginning of May, and finding themselves too weak to drive out the Garison, had recourse to Biron, who gained all the Quarters of the Town, and at the same time besieged the [month May.] Castle, and that of Talon which was within a quarter of a League, whither the Count de Tavanes had retired.

The Constable of Castille (named Ferdinand de Velasco) was descended into the Franche-Comte in the Month of April with an Army of Fifteen thousand Foot, and three thousand Horse. This Mareschal apprehended lest he should fall upon his back with all his Forces: the Constable de Montmorency had the same fear upon him, and both these press'd the King extreamly to advance that way. His Mistress by her Caresses made him resolve it; She desired he might conquer the Franche-Comte for her Son, to whom he promised to give the Revenue in propriety, but the Honorary So∣veraignty to the Swiss, thereby to oblige them to his protection.

[month June.] He took but few Men along with him, believing that of those under the two fore∣named Generals, and the Lorrainers commanded by d'Aussonville, he might make up a very considerable Army; and as for his Frontler of Picardy, he relied upon the Forces of the Mareschal de Bouillon, the Count de Sainct Pol, and the Admiral de Villars, recommending above all things to them a good Correspondence, and a readi∣ness when necessary to joyn their whole Strength together; To whom when in one entire Body, he gave the general Command to the Duke of Nevers. And for the Affairs of the Kingdom in gross, he establish'd a Council at Paris, of whom he made the Prince of Conty Chief. The event shewed the method he had taken both for the one and other was not good; For the Count de Soissons jealous they had pre∣ferr'd the Prince of Conty before him, fomented the Leaven of those Factious re∣mains in Paris, and so much did those of the said Council, as also the Chief Com∣manders in the Armies, countermine each other, that they did his work but neg∣ligently.

It is fit we know that in the Month of March, the Duke of Longueville was kill'd by a strange accident; Taking a review of his Army at Dourlens, a Piece discharged [Year of our Lord 1595] by accident shot him in the Head, whereof he died in a few days at Amiens. The day [month March.] before he expir'd his Wife was deliver'd of a Son, whom France may justly account for one of the most generous and most accomplished Princes of his Age. The King was God-father, and gave him his name and the Government of the Province: and till he were of Age, gave the Commission of it to the Count de Sainct Pol his Paternal Uncle.

The Constable of Castille having forced the Lorrainers to abandon all they had taken in the Franche-Comte, and Trembl••cour who had put himself into Vesou to capitulate, prepared to enter into the Dutchy of Burgundy, and had made a Bridge at Gray upon the River Soane, besides one belonging to the Town. The King having notice of [month June.] it, resolved with the Mareschal Biron to go and meet him only with two hundred Maistres, and five hundred Arquebusiers on Horseback, to retard his March a day or two, and during that time make a Retrenchment to part the Castle of Dijon from the City, and then leaving therein a thousand Bourgeois, go forth and fight the Enemy with his whole Army within a League or two of Dijon. This undertaking would have been judged rashness, had the event not justified it.

The last day of June, being at Fontaine Francoise, the mid-way between Dijon and Gray, he discover'd the Enemies whole Army descending from Sainct Seyne, and at the same time found himself charged by the Duke of Mayennes French Troops, commanded by that Duke and by Villars Houdan. He there stood in need of all his Vertues: Biron being rudely repulsed, the King maintain'd the shock with a hundred Horse only, made several stout charges, and drove back four or five Squadrons almost to the gross of the Duke of Mayennes Army. But certainly had he advanced further, he must have lost many of his Men, his Honour, and perhaps his Person.

The Duke of Mayenne sent three times, and the fourth went himself to intreat the Constable to march on to certain Victory: but he being as cold to action as hot in words, and imagining the Duke pretended to teach him his trade: he stirred not, but replied, with pride and senceless gravity, he knew well enough what he had to do. The same day he retired to Sainct Seyne, and the next day to Gray, where he denied entrance to the French, nay even to the wounded; The King on the contrary took care they should be dress'd, and sent a safe-conduct to Villars to carry him to Chalons.

This day was much more famous for the Kings wonderful Exploits, then either for the number of the Combatants, or of the slain, (for there were not sixscore kill'd upon the place) and acquired him greater advantage yet then honour; for as much as the Castillians coldness, his suspicions and inhumanity towards the French, broke them quite off from the Spaniard; whereas the King open'd his Arms so kindly and favourably to them, that he drew a great part to his service.

[Year of our Lord 1594] [month July.] The Duke of Mayenne not knowing how to extricate himself from the Artifices of the Spaniards, thought of returning to Sommeriue in Savoy, and from thence send to demand security that he might go to Spain and give an account to King Philip of his Conduct, and complain of the ill proceedings of his Agents. The King perceiving him at the very brink of the Precipice, gave him assurance he was ready to receive him into favour, and to treat him much nobler then he could ever justly hope for from those Renegado's; To which he added that till they had agreed upon the Con∣ditions between them, he might remain at Chalons, where he should neither be be∣sieged nor invested.

Before he accepted of these Offers, the Duke made another great and last effort to persuade the Constable to relieve the Castle of Dijon. The Constable having abso∣lutely refused it, he took leave of him as if he would have undertaken it himself with what Forces he had, and retired to Chalon. From thence he gave order for the surrender of the Castles of Dijon and Talon to the King, in retribution of his kind∣ness.

Whilst the King was yet at Dijon, he advised the kindred of Charlote de la Trimouille, Widow of Henry Prince of Conde, to present him a Petition, desiring the Process against that Princess might be removed to the Parliament of Paris; That all pro∣ceedings made by the Judges of St. John d'Angely might be set aside, That new in∣formation might be taken; and that in the mean time she might be set at liberty upon

their Bail, upon condition to appear for her within four Months. The King having allowed it, sent John de Vivonne Marquiss of Pisani, to Saintonge, to be Governor [month July and Aug.] to the young Prince, and to bring both him and his Mother to Court; He had a double end herein, one to secure himself of the Person of the Prince, whom the Huguenots might possibly have made their Head, the other to plant him betwixt him∣self and the Count de Soissons; who seeing him without Children, accounted himself presumptive Heir, and trod upon his Heels.

After he had spent some weeks in quieting Burgundy, restoring their Parliament which had been interdicted, and calling back the Counsellors who had remov'd them∣selves to Semur, he entred with his Army upon the Franche-Comte, with design to fight the Castillian, and if he obtain'd a Victory, to conquer that Province. He staid there near upon three weeks, during which he oft-times harceled the Spaniard to draw him out of his Intrenchments, beat his straggling Troops, in two or three Rencounters, ransacked the whole Country, and brought so panick a fear upon Be∣sancon, and all the other Cities, that he had surely made them stoop to his power, had not the intercession of the Swiss, and a contagion that got amongst his Men, wrested that Conquest out of his hands.

The Swiss moved in fine by the lowd cries of the Comtois who claimed their pro∣tection by vertue of some ancient Treaties they had made with the Cantons, and [Year of our Lord 1595] withall maturely considering, maugre the practises of those the King had gained in [month August.] their Assemblies, what a bridle it would be to their liberty to have so potent a Neighbour upon their Frontiers, intreated him to withdraw his Forces, and to leave the Country in that neutrality they had hitherto enjoy'd. To their intercession the Comtois added certain Sums of Money to defray the Charges of his Army; which [month September.] besides was so assaulted by Sickness, as they were glad to retire with the rich Booty they had made.

From Burgundy the King made a Journey to Lyons with his Court. Divers reasons led him thither; Two amongst others, the desire to Treat with the Duke of Savoy, and the necessity there was to give Orders for the Affairs of Daufine and Provence, where there were some bickerings between the Governors and the Captains.

As to the first point he offer'd the Savoyard a Truce, and afterwards even to give him up the Marquisate of Salusses for his eldest Son. There were several Confe∣rences concerning this at Pont de Beauvaisis between the Agents for the two Soveraigns, and the Duke seemed not to be averse to a Peace: but the condition of Homage the King proposed for the Marquisate distasted him.

For the second point, he sent the Duke of Guise to the Government of Provence, gave the Lieutenancy to Lesdiguieres, and that of Daufine, whereof he had made the Prince of Conty Governor, to Alfonso d'Ornano. Thus opposing Espernon with a potent Enemy, setting a careful watch over the Duke of Guise, and taking away the too great power Lesdiguieres had in Daufine, he thought he had sufficiently pro∣vided for the security of those Countries.

In the same place was the Treaty concluded for the reduction of Bois-Daufin, also a particular Truce was granted the Duke of Mercoeur for Bretagne, and a general one to the Duke of Mayenne for all the remaining Parties of the League. Bois-Daufin held yet the Cities of Chasteau-Gontier in Anjou, and of Sable in Mayne, with some others which served as out-works for the Duke of Mercoeur; and therefore the King consider'd him so as to allow him very advantageous Conditions, and over and above the Baston de Mareschal.

The Voisinage of the King hastned likewise the more courageous of the Parlia∣ment men of Thoulouze to declare to the Duke of Joyeuse, that the King being now a [month September and October.] Catholick they were in Conscience and Duty obliged to acknowledge him. And be∣cause he forcibly hindred them from taking any publick Resolution on this point, they retired to Castel Sarrasin; whence the King joyned them with those who in the be∣ginning of the Troubles had transferr'd themselves to Besiers, that so being altogether they might act the more effectually for his Service.

[Year of our Lord 1595] The Cities of Carcassonne and Narbonne, prompted with the same Spirit as those [month September.] Officers, gave the same notice to the Duke, and turned out his Garisons; as on the

other hand the approaches of the Mareschal de Matignon and Anne de Levis regained the City of Rodez; so that the Duke of Joyeuse had no other Places of importance left him but Thoulouze and Alby.

But whilst the King was thus employ'd at one extream part of his Kingdom, the Spaniards made him bloody work towards Picardy by the death of Humieres, the loss of Dourlens, and that of Cambray. The Duke of Aumale, and Rosne were cause of it. Both taking it in scorn the King should slight them, by denying the Government of Picardy to the first, and to the second the Title of Mareschal of France, which he had granted to other Leaguers. The City of Ham was the Duke of Aumales, and he had placed a Governor there named N. de Mouy Gomeron, who being dead, his three Sons went to Bruxels to demand what was due to him. The Spaniards detained them all Prisoners to force them to deliver up the Castle of Ham. Dor∣villiers their half-Brother who had the command of it in their absence, would give no ear to it, but called in Humieres and the Nobless of Picardy, and gave them pas∣sage by the Fosse of the Castle to attaque the Spaniards that were in the Town. Humieres charging them bravely was slain, his Men enraged at his death redouble their Assaults, and at two days end force them, and cut them all in pieces, not al∣lowing quarter to one of them. The Count de Fuentes who at that time besieged [month June.] the Catelet, came running to relieve this Garison, but could not do it early enough; For spite whereof, he before the Town of Ham caused the Head of Gomerons eldest Son to be cut off, the Arch-Duke Albert did afterwards release the other two. This done he again returns before the Chatelet, which he gained upon Composition the Four and twentieth day of June.

The regret of the Nobility for the loss of the brave Humieres, who alone was worth an Army, and the cries of the Picards whose Frontiers were open, gave an opportunity to the hottest Heads in Parliament, who remembred the injuries they had received by the Duke of Aumale, to make a thundring Decree against that Prince.

By which they declared him Criminel de laesae Majestatis in the highest degree, and of the Parricide of Henry III. and for these Crimes condemned him to be drawn alive by four wild Horses, his Quarters to be set up on the four chief Gates of the City, if he could be apprehended, if not in Effigie, his House of Anet to be razed, [Year of our Lord 1595] and his Woods cut down Breast-high, his Goods Confiscate, and his Children de∣graded [month June.] of their Nobility.

The Sentence given, Achilles de Harlay first President, caused the Execution to be suspended for some days, during which they waited for Orders from the King: but [month July.] Counsellor Angenout made so much noise they were fain to go thorough with it. They dragg'd his Phantosm to the Greve, and quartered it the Four and twentieth of July. The King was very sorry they had robb'd his Clemency of this Pardon, and thereby engaged the said Prince and all those French that were yet obstinate and resolute to an irreconcilable hatred against France: whom they afterwards most desperately wounded, and perhaps might have utterly ruin'd, had they found a King of Spain less aged and infirm then Philip hapned to be.

The Citizens of Cambray could no longer endure the proud and violent behaviour of Balagny, and had no less contempt then hatred for him after the check he received before Senlis. Rhosne well acquainted with their discontent, and having great in∣telligence in the City, advised Fuentes to besiege it, and that the French might not be able to bring relief in a Body, to take in Dourlens first. There were but few within the place: notwithstanding Fifteen hundred Horse and Foot did make a shift to get in; and at the same time the Count de Sainct Pol, the Mareschal de Bouillon, and the Admiral de Villars joyned together to succour it.

They had above four thousand Men, and the Duke of Nevers was not above a days march distant with twelve hundred more: but as there was no unity amongst those Chiefs, and they disdained to obey that Duke, they hastned to relieve the place before he joyned with them.

Fuentes encouraged by Rosne went to meet them; at first the Mareschal made a very stout Charge, but having the worst he falls to a retreat, and the Admiral who staid behind to make another Charge, engaged so far amongst the Enemies, that they surrounded and took him Prisoner with fifteen or twenty Gentlemen of note, and all his Foot were cut in pieces. The Spaniards killed him and Sesseval in cold Blood, for they are not wont to pardon any who having once been under their Pay shall take up Arms against them. The King gave the Office of Admiral to Damville

the Constables Brother, and the Government of Havre to the Chevalier d'Oyse Brother of the deceased: but restored the City of Rouen to perfect liberty, having ordered the Fort St. Catharine to be demolished.

As the jealousie between Bouillon and Villars occasioned this loss, that between the Duke of Nevers and Bouillon caused a more bloody one. While Nevers excused him∣self [Year of our Lord 1595] from undertaking the Command, because they had reduced things into so ill-fa∣voured [month July.] a condition, that he could reap no honour by medling with it, and on the contrary Bouillon did all he could to thrust it upon him, thinking thereby to shelter his Reputation under anothers name, and amidst his fears and suspicions marched giddily about the place without attempting any thing: it hapned eight days after the Battle, that the Besieged who fought very well, yet defended themselves but ill for want of Ingeniers, unfortunately suffer'd the Enemies to force in upon them.

The Spaniards gained the Castle by a general assault upon a Bastion, and made great slaughter of the Garison that was within it. From thence they descended into the Town, where finding no resistance, they massacred all, as well the defenceless Women, and the Children, as the Armed Men, the raging Soldiers running tho∣rough every Street and crying, This is the Revenge for Ham. They gave no quarter but to seven or eight, whereof Haraucour Governor of the City was one. The Pavement was strewed with the Bodies of above three hundred Gentlemen who were gotten in, and two thousand Persons more.

It is incredible how great the Spaniards joy was, to find by this experiment it was possible for them to beat the French by fine force, who till now were ever wont to beat them so: but that which raised their hearts and spirits more yet, was that at the very same time, they had news from the Low-Countries, that Mondragon, who commanded their Army there in the absence of Fuentes, had forced Prince Maurice to raise his Siege from before Groll in the Country of Overissel, and having after∣wards encamped near him, boasted that he would hinder him from undertaking any thing all the rest of the Campagne. So after they had setled Hernand Teillo Protocarerro Governor in Dourlens, hover'd some days upon the Frontiers of Picardy, and put a fresh Convoy into la Fere, they marched towards Cambray full of the confidence of their taking it.

For consolation of these losses, the King was informed his Affairs advanced very successfully at Rome. After the Duke of Nevers was gone thence dissatisfied, Pope Clement having notice that in France they had renewed the Proposition for making a Patriarch there, relaxed somewhat of his severity, and finding of late the King did not much sollicite him, he began to apply himself to the King. He wrote to the Cardinal de Gondy to renew that Negociation, sent the Jesuit Possevinus to Lyons to confer about it with the Constable and with Bellievre, and order'd the Cardinals, [Year of our Lord 1595] Protectors of the Chartreux, Capucins and Minimes, to command those Orders to [month July.] mention and name the King in their Prayers, which they had not hitherto done. The Huguenots and even the Politicks, were of opinion they ought to make him postulant in his turn, and run after what he had rejected; nevertheless considering the great Consequences, the King resolved to send some Deputies of Rome, and give them an express Procuration to Treat about the Conditions of his Absolution, and to receive it in his name.

For this purpose he made choice of James David Du Perron, and joyned Arnold d'Ossat with him, as then but a simple Priest, yet a Man of rare prudence and great merit, who had before Negociated a long time in that Court. It was said of the latter he had the talent to insinuate into the most Refractory, and charm them to listen to him, of the other, that he left no room for reply if they would but hear him with attention, so great was the rapidity and force of his Reason, that he did not only per∣suade, but he compel'd.

The multiplicity of Affairs that interven'd in the Kings Council, having obstruct∣ed Du Perrons dispatch four Months together, the Spanish Faction had a fair op∣portunity to make the Pope believe they scoffed at him; and when this Agent did come, contrary to their hopes, they practis'd all their subtilties, and laid what stress they could upon the ill success at Dourlens, to hinder both him and d'Ossat, from being

admitted to Audience. Then when they had been received (which was about mid-July) and the Pope (having taken advice of the Cardinals in private) had de∣clared [month July.] in Consistory that two thirds of the Votes were for allowing Absolution to the King, they were reduced to the starting of new difficulties about the manner, en∣deavouring sometime to persuade it ought to be given at the Tribunal of the Inqui∣sition, then to crowd in some Expressions that wounded the King, and at another time to propound some Formalities, which should submit both him and his King∣dom to the Soveraignty of the Pope.

The Court of Rome was easily induced to lay hold of this last, the bare prospect did so please them, as they employ'd all their Arts and Engines to persuade the Kings [month July and Aug.] Agents to deposite his Crown in the hands of his Holiness, who after the Absolution pronounced, would have placed it upon one of their Heads again. They got over this difficulty happily enough, but three more rubs were thrown in their way; the one, that the Pope was earnest for annulling the Absolution given by the Archbishop of Bourges; the other, that he would have the Ceremony performed in presence of all the Cardinals, and make use of the Baguette* 1.76 the third, that giving Absolution he should use these words: That he reabiliated, or restored the King to his Royalty, as if he had been suspended by the Excommunications of the Popes his Predecessors. [Year of our Lord 1595]

[month July and Aug▪] They received every day Orders from the King expressly charging them, not to consent to any thing to the prejudice of his Dignity and Reputation: notwithstand∣ing they agreed to the two first points thereby to gain, said they, the last, which was the most important. Du Perron was greatly blamed for it in France, perhaps un∣justly: the Politicks reproached him that to merit the Popes favour, he had submitted his King to be cudgel'd by Proxy with the Popes white Wand.

As to the remainder, the intercessions of the Seigneury of Venice, of the Duke of Lorrain, and the Duke of Florence, the sollicitations of the Cardinals de Joyeuse, and Tolet, and the good offices of Baronius, then Confessor to the Pope, did much for∣ward the business. Tolet was a Spaniard by birth, nevertheless he acted herein a∣gainst the interest of Spain, that he might deserve and obtain of the King by his Services, the recalling and restoration of the Jesuits, of whose Society he had for∣merly been.

When they had agreed upon all the Articles, his Holiness appointed the Sixteenth day of September to give this publick Absolution: which he did upon a Scaffold at the Porch of St. Peters Church, with the Ceremonies to be seen at length in the general History, or in the more particular Relations of those times. [month September.]

After this, above a Month ran out before the expedition of the Bulls, whether he would by this delay make them more esteem and desire the favour he granted, or that he were willing to give the Duke of Mayenne and other Heads of the League a competent time, to finish their Agreements.

But the King, as soon as he had received the news of it, ordered the should give thanks to God for it over all the Kingdom, sent to the Parliament to take off the prohibition he had made against sending to Rome, appointed that the Concordats with the Holy See should be exactly observed, and sought all occasions to testifie his obedience to the See of Rome, and acknowledgments to the Pope.

Fuentes was before Cambray, the Mareschal de Balagny had made no great prepa∣rations to receive him, having but seven hundred Men in Garison. The Duke of Nevers informed of their want in that place, sent the Duke de Retelois his eldest Son thither with four hundred Horse, who happily pierced into the Town: but the People of Artois and Hainault desiring to deliver themselves from the oppression of Balagny, and the Archbishop of Cambray being pusht on with the zeal, not so much of being restored to his Pastoral See, as to the Goods and Revenues of the Church which Balagny had denied him the enjoyment of, strengthned the Besiegers Army with above eight thousand Men, contributed great Sums of Money, and sent Guns, Ammuni∣tions, and Provisions to them.

[Year of our Lord 1595] For all this they did not much advance their Attaques, and as the Autumnal Rains troubled them sorely, and Nevers at Peronne was forming a considerable Body to [month August.] harrass them, they would no doubt have raised the Siege, if Rosne who knew the Discords amongst the French Officers, and the ill disposition of the Bourgeois towards Balagny, had not assured the Chiefs, there would quickly be something disclosed very favourable to them. In effect, the Cambresians in despair for that the King would not admit them into the number of his Subjects, they having at the beginning of

the Siege sent Deputies to request it of him, and thereby considering they must ever lie groaning under the burthen of some such severe Master as Balagny, resolved to shake it off at the first opportunity.

[month September.] As soon therefore as they had made a breach, though but a small one, the Inha∣bitants having drawn two hundred Swiss, that were in Garison, to side with them, did barricado themselves in all the Streets, seized on the great Market place, and ran to parley with the Besiegers. Balagny durst not appear; his Wife, true Sister of the brave Bussy d'Amboise, marches into the Market place with Pike in hand, and used Exhortations, Intreaties, Promises, and Oaths, to stop this Resolution. Vic shewed them that at least they ought to provide for their own security by some regular Treaty, and take time to consult therein; neither the one, nor other prevailed in the least, the Authors of this Revolution pressed things on so fast, that the Inhabitants upon the bare word of the Spaniards, went and open'd them their Gates, and even offer'd Fuentes to charge the French who then stood at the breach, but he could not consent to so much baseness, so that they had time to retire into the Citadel.

The Citadel was very weak, the courage of those that defended it extreamly depressed, and that of the Citizens and Spaniards mightily raised by their good suc∣cess; Besides there were Provisions but for ten or twelve days, for the Spaniards knowing the covetous humour of the Dame de Balagny, Wheat being somewhat dear in June and July, had contrived to drain the Granaries of all the Store was in them, by giving her what price soever she asked for it, and the Town was invested before the next Harvest could supply them. So that it seems in selling her Corn, she likewise sold her little Coronet, or Soveraignty.

When Vic had searched and discover'd the small quantities were in the Magazines, he was of opinion they should demand a Truce, which was allowed them for four [month October.] and twenty hours. The Duke of Nevers in the mean while not able to agree with Bouillon, and concerned for the danger his Son was in, sent word to the Besieged they should make the best composition they could. They did so the Seventh day of October, to quit the place within two days after, and made it indeed very advan∣tageous.

[Year of our Lord 1595] The Dame de Balagny believing that it was a more gentle fate to fall into the [month October.] arms of death, then into want and nothingness: when she observed they began to Treat, withdrew and shut her self up in a Chamber, where sorrow and deep despair seizing her heart and spirits, she expir'd some hours before her Soveraignty: but her Husband suffer'd this fall with an extream insensibility, and having now nothing else to do, took a fair Maiden with him from Cambray to console and to divert himself from all melancholy thoughts.

A resistance of seven or eight days longer might have saved this place. The King informed of the dangerous condition it was in, came post from Lyons to take some order for it, but he had news of its surrender at Beauvais: and there together with the trouble for this loss, he was forced to suffer the murmurings of his Sol∣diers, who openly affirm'd it was occasioned by his neglect and delay, whilst his Mistress, for her private interest, with-held him at Lyons. His choler discharg'd it self upon the Duke of Nevers: in a Council held to consider of what was to be done after this loss, he said some very picquant things to him; wherewith that Duke was so sensibly galled, that this Disgrace together with the smart of his Wounds, which burst open afresh by the satigues of the Campagne, cast him upon his Bed in the Castle of Nesle, and deprived him of life about the midst of October.

To repair this loss of Cambray, the King employ'd the Forces he had got toge∣ther [month November.] to regain la Fere, the only place remaining in the Spaniards hands on this side the River Somme, and which they could not relieve but with great difficulty. He be∣lieved it so little stored with Provisions, that he reckoned to reduce it to famine before the Spaniards could recruit it, or draw their Men together: and therefore at first he only thought fit to block it up by two great Forts he built at the end of the Marsh. Whilst these were raising he took a Journey to Monceaux to visit his Mistress; and from thence returned to the Siege, bringing with him the Duke of Mayenne and some Companies he had there.

[Year of our Lord 1596] This Duke having held constant to the protestation so often reiterated by him, [month January.] not to make any Accommodation till the King were converted and reconciled to the Church by Authority of the Pope, seemed very ready to acknowledge him, upon the

first certain news of his Absolution. In the Kings Council, many were of opinion, since he had stood it out so very late, not to admit him to any Treaty: but the King desired, at what price soever, to put out the remainders of that dreadful Fire of Civil War, which did yet smoke and smother in divers places of his Kingdom, par∣ticularly in Provence and Bretagne, and to repair those sad breaches the Spaniards had newly made in Picardy; Besides there had otherwhile been some kindness and amity between him and the Duke, and he consider'd that Personally he had never offended him▪ That he had given up no one place to the Spaniards; That if he [Year of our Lord 1596] should run him into despair, he would unite inseperately with them; and what mis∣chief [month January.] would he not do to France with so many Braves as would follow him? since Rosne almost singly, had been the cause of such great losses.

These reflections obliged him not to reject the Duke; and besides his Mistress by her intrigues had been above a year endeavouring by degrees to dispose the King to grant him good Conditions. This Lady, besides her generous inclination which prompted her to do kind offices, sought every where to make Friends, as well because aspiring to become the Kings lawful Spouse, she stood in need of such to bring about the dissolution of Queen Margarets Marriage, as because she desired to secure her self of some support in case the King should happen to fail her. Now having no reason to hope for any favour from the Princes of the Blood, the Huguenots, nor the Po∣liticks, she endeavour'd to gain this Duke, that he might devote himself entirely to her Service.

By this means he obtained the most honourable Conditions that ever Subject had of his Soveraign, but which notwithstanding were very mean to those that had been offer'd him before his Party was scatter'd, and when Treating for all those Members joyntly he might still have remained Head of them.

[Year of our Lord 1596] In his Edict, dated at Folembray, of the Month of January, the King spake of him in very favourable terms; Acknowledged a Zeal for Religion had been the motive [month January.] of his Actions; Applauded and esteemed the affection he had manifested in pre∣serving the Kingdom entire; and amongst other Articles,

Granted him an Oblivion of all things past; Acquitted and discharged him of all Moneys received and dis∣posed of; Restored him and his to all their Goods and Estates: Declared there lay no accusation or charge against the Princes and Princesses of his House toaching the death of the deceased King. Promised willingly to hear the demands of the Dukes of Mercoeur and Aumale, and suspended the execution of the Judgment given against the last; Left him Chalon upon the Soane, Seurre, and Soissons for Cities of security, and the Government of Chalon separately (for six years) from that of Burgundy, to his eldest Son; undertook to acquit him of three hundred and fifty thousand Crowns, for which he and his Friends were engaged, as likewise all other the Debts he had contracted, as well in his own name as by being Head of the Party, with the Swiss, Reisters, Lorrainers and other Strangers, and obliged him∣self to put them amongst those of the Crown, and to annul all such Obligations as he had entred into for the said purposes.

Together with this Edict were likewise dispatched those for the Dukes of Joyeuse, and the new Duke of Nemours. The King granted them some particular Condi∣tions, [Year of our Lord 1596] and to the former also the Staff of Mareschal of France. Some time after, [month January.] the Duke of Mayenne going to attend the King at Monceaux, was by him received in so obliging a manner, as he protested that was the only time the King made an ab∣solute conquest over him, and vow'd his Soul should sooner betray his Body then he would forfeit his Faith or his Obedience to so good and so generous a Prince.

There now remained no more of the Heads of the Shipwrackt Faction but the Duke of Mercoeur, the Duumvirs of Marseilles with some small Cities in Provence, and the Duke of Espernon; who being still obstinate to hold the Government of those Countries, seemed, as one ready to enter into the League, when all the rest were going out of it. I will not speak of the divers Exploits that had been done in Bretagne the foregoing year, but only how the Royalists besieging the Castle de Comper near Renes, the Mareschal d'Aumont their General was kill'd there. He was a Person whose Valour had proved stanch in all trials, and one of the most zealous and most faithful of the Kings Servants: John de Beaumont Lavardin was honoured with his Office of Mareschal. The dissipation of the whole Army follow'd the death of their General: but the Duke of Mercoeur made no advantage of it, because of those suspi∣cions which held him perpetually embroiled with the Spaniards.

The Province afterwards received some comfort by the three Months Truces, which were often prolonged: but by the Estates, whom St. Luc gave order to be [month March and April.] held at Renes, they were again loaden with a most heavy burthen. Which was an Impost of Six Crowns per Tun upon all Wines brought thither from abroad.

During the Truces, the Marquiss de Belle-Isle being gotten into Mount St. Michel intending to surprize it, was kill'd by a Captain of his own Party, whose name was Ker-Martin. He thought that by carrying the Keys of that place to the King, he should in recompence have at the least a Mareschals Staff.

After the Kings intentions were made so manifest to the Provenceaux, that they had no room left for doubt, the Provisions for the Duke of Guise being registred in Par∣liament, and sortified by a thundring Decree against Espernon and all his Adherents: those that had follow'd him only as their Governor forsook him, and such others as [Year of our Lord 1596] were closest riveted to his interest much shaken. Being diffident of every one, he [month January.] changed some Governors, amongst others Anchot de Mesplez whom he put out of St. Tropez, one of his best places.

In effect Mesplez was the Man for the King, who had Orders not only to dispossess him of the Province, but also underhand to hinder Lesdiguieres from taking root there. Which he shewed plainly enough when Lesdiguieres having besieged Cisteron, and being on the point of forcing it, he treated with the Governor Ramefort and got into the place with three hundred Men to defend it against him. Now although Lesdiguieres did very well know this cross Game was dealt him by a higher hand, he omitted not to continue his Services, (which every where succeeded prosperously) and took five or six places more from the Espernonists: but when he observed his pro∣gress redoubled the jealousies of the Duke of Guise and the Provenceaux, and that he could now make no further advantage, either as to his own Affairs, nor the Kings, he returned into Daufine, upon some pretence the juncture of those times offer'd him.

When the Duke of Guise was become Master of all the Forces of the Province, he [month January and February.] did alone what he would not have done with a Companion, and soon quieted the Province, labouring at the same time to drive out the Savoyards and the Duke of Espernon, and to reduce the City of Marseilles. The Savoyards held yet two places there, Grace, and Berre: he recover'd the first by means of two Captains who kill'd the Commander of it, and block'd up the other with two Forts. However a while after, one Captain Alexander Governor of the last, making a great Sally, slew all the Men that were in those Redoubts and razed them; so that he preserved the place for the Duke till the Treaty of Vervins.

The Reduction of Marseilles was the more important work: several designs which they made trial of for this purpose had all miscarried, Famine and Misery had mightily wrought upon and disposed the meaner People to a change, but the Duumvirs (Lewis d'Aix, and Charles de Casaux) stood but the more upon their guard; and having offended so many People by their violence and severity, that they could hope for no security amongst a generation so inclined to Resentment, they rather chose to treat with the King of Spain (who promised to give them two Dutchies in the Kingdom of Naples) then with their natural King. They had therefore to this end dispatched three of their Confidents to Madrid; and in the mean time had obtained of John Andrea Doria Prince of Malfy, a succour of twelve hundred Men, brought to them in four Galleys by his Son, with hopes of a much greater number in a few days.

[Year of our Lord 1596] This Re-inforcement could not prevent their ruine: which proceeded from that [month February.] cause whence they could least expect it, that is to say from a Bourgeois named Peter Libertat, who was one of the most intimate Friends to Casaux, in so much as he had intrusted him with the Guard of the Port Royal. This Man originally a Corsican, Valiant, daring, and one that desired to raise himself by some brave Action, having long before prepared his Party, treated with the Duke of Guise to receive him into the City, provided they would give him the Office of Viguier, a Patent of Nobility for him and his, the Government of Nostre-Dame de la Garde, and fifty thousand Crowns in Silver.

When he had gotten his Securities, they appointed the Seventeenth of February for execution. That day the Duke of Guise approached the City within half a League, and much nearer yet placed in Ambuscado some Troops commanded by Alamanon. In the Morning Lewis d'Aix going out of the Royal Gate as his custom was, with some Arquebusiers to search round the Walls, Libertat who was there upon the Guard with his People, pulls up the Draw-bridge and shuts him out. Casaux was within the Town, and not knowing they had put this trick upon Lewis d'Aix, came with some belonging to him towards the same Gate as usually: Li∣bertat goes to meet him, charges him and kills him. Lewis d'Aix in the interim gets over the Walls, being Craned up by a Rope and a Basket, draws together a good number of his Friends, amongst others the two Sons of Casaux, and with these he comes and attaques Libertat and regains the Port. But the Advocate Bernard, whom the Duke of Mayenne after his Treaty had sent to the Duumvirs to persuade them to return to their Obedience, goes forth into the Street with his Pike in Hand and a white Handkerchief in his Hat, followed by five or six noted Citizens, crying out, Vive le Roy! In a quarter of an hour he got near a Thousand Men together, and at the same time Alamanon advances from without with three hundred Soldiers, upon whose appearance Lewis d'Aix loses courage, falls back, and gets into the Fort St. Victor, the two Sons of Casaux threw themselves into the Fort de la Garde; the Spaniards leap into the Water to recover their Galleys, and stand off to Sea. In fine, the Duke of Guise is received into the City, and his presence so astonishes those that had Cantonized themselves in their Towers and Forts, that they immedi∣ately surrendred at discretion.

[Year of our Lord 1596] Thus this great City was brought to its Obedience in less then two hours time, without effusion of any other Blood but that of Casaux, and three more. As to Lewis [month February.] d'Aix and the Sons of Casaux, the first escaping by night from his Fort, fearing to be deliver'd up by his Soldiers, and the others having been turned out of theirs by one of their best Friends who desired to deserve his pardon to their cost: they all retired to Genoa, where they ended their miserable lives in want and contempt.

Marseilles reduced, the Duke of Guise bent all his Strength against the Duke of Es∣pernon. As he was coming to the relief of the Citadel of St. Tropes, which Mesplez had besieged, de Guise charged him so impetuously that he forced him to repass the River of Argence; which he did with so much precipitation, that the greater part of his Troops were drowned or knock'd at Head.

[month March.] As vain were those two Efforts he made afterwards to succour that Citadel by Sea, one time with a Galiot which he procured, and another with four Galleys, who entring by the Gulf of Grimaud, landed three hundred Men: Mesplez in fine, forced the Besieged to come to a Capitulation.

Amidst these Transactions Espernon was like to have been blown into the Air by the malicious invention of a Peasant who had resolutely vow'd his death. This Fellow knowing the Inn he lodged in at Brignoles, got an opportunity to put into a Room under his Chamber, three Sacks of Powder, which he said was Wheat that he must fell. There were Pistol Locks placed within them, to whose Trickers he had fastned a small String, and tied the other end to that Cord which bound his Sacks. When he was certain the Duke was sat down to Dinner, he goes forth and brings in a Baker to buy this Wheat, and when he had directed him to the Sacks, steals off and runs away. In the mean time the Baker untying one of the Sacks, makes the Powder take Fire, and was burnt with those that were below; and yet this Fougade did no mischief either to the Duke or any of his People, its greatest violence taking vent by the Window and Doors of that first Floor.

He then perceived his great Heart did in vain persuade him to struggle against Fortune in a Country where they practised such horrid inventions to destroy him, so that he resolved to leave it, but with Honour; and for this end he had recourse to [month March and April.] the intercession of the Constable his Wives Uncle. The progress of the Spa∣niards in Picardy, obliged the King to condescend more easily then he would have done in any other season, and to send Roquelaure into Provence to treat about his Ac∣commodation. Espernon having confer'd with him, accepted first of a Truce the Fourteenth of March, then of these Conditions, That he should be confirm'd in all his Offices and Governments, That he should moreover have that of Limosin to be joyn'd with those of Saintonge and Perigord, and the survivance of them for his Son; also a Sum of Money, and an assurance that those on whom he had bestowed the Governments of Places in Provence should be continued in them. The Treaty Signed he went out of the

[Year of our Lord 1596] Province the Tenth day of May: but the remembrance of those injuries he received [month May.] there never went from his heart.

The Siege of la Fere was in the beginning but a Blocade, as well because of the inconvenience of the Season and the want of Canon, as those hopes the King had [month March and April.] conceived of reducing it by Famine. When he found it was much better stored then he had guess'd, he began to streighten it more.

The Cardinal Archduke Albert of Austria, newly provided of the Government of the Low-Countries, desired to equal the glory of Count Fuentes, who in one Cam∣pagne had taken four places upon those Frontiers: he therefore Armed powerfully, and gave out he was resolved to relieve that place. But when he found it could not be done without the hazard of a Battle, which would have been too great for him, because he wanted Horse, and besides he must have born the shock of four or five Garisons, thorough which he must have passed: he contented himself with throwing in five hundred Horse, each carrying a Sack of Corn on his Crupper and a bundle of Match about his Neck. This done he turns towards the Sea-coast, and having made a shew of besieging Monstreuil, falls down of a sudden upon Calais, pursuant [month April.] to the design Rosne had contrived for him. This Captain had already invested it, and seized upon the Forts of Nieullay and the Risban.

The Terror which was within the place, and the Wind which seemed to conspire with the Besiegers without, made it be lost in little time. Francis de Sainct Pol-Ridossan a Gentleman of Gascongne who was Governor, had but ill provided for his defence, and had but little Credit and Authority with the Bourgeois and the Garison. So that when the Archduke upon his arrival had forced the Suburb du Courguet, which lies along the Harbour, fear so possessed the Inhabitants, that they immediately talked of surrendring: but they press'd it much more when they beheld a breach made in their Ramparts; Then nothing could restrain them, but a Capitulation must be made the Twelfth day of the Siege, to give up the Town within eight days, and the Citadel in six more, if they were not relieved.

The first eight days being expired, they surrender the City, with so much amaze∣ment, they had not the fore-sight to transport any of their Cannon into the Castle, where there were but three mounted; and the Bourgeois flocked thither in multi∣tules, instead of tarrying in their own Houses to preserve their Goods which were lest a prey.

In the mean time the Wind hurried away the Count de Sainct Pol, and the Count de Belin his Lieutenant, who had taken Shipping at St. Valey's with three thousand Men. The same storms drove off the King no less rudely, who coming from the Siege of la Fere with the Regiment of Guards, and five hundred Horse, was put to Sea from Bullogne. As likewise they were cross to the Hollanders; who having wrestled [Year of our Lord 1596] with all their art and skill against these Tempests, and remained some days exposed [month April.] to the Canon of the Risban, were at last constrained to retire.

The King had placed his only hopes in the Queen of England, having dispatched Sancy to her, and some days after the Mareschal de Bouillon, to desire her speedy assi∣stance: but his change of Religion having almost totally extinguished the affection of that Princess, and much diminished her esteem, she would allow him no more help gratis, but demanded Calais for her self, since as well he was going to lose it. This disobliging procedure was an addition of grief and trouble to the King, he chose rather to let his Enemies tear the place by force from him, then yield it tamely to his Friend. Sancy acquainted the Queen with this Resolution, and used so many Arguments, that he disposed her to send a Relief, which consisted in Eight thousand Men, and all in readiness; In so much as the Earl of Essex, who commanded them, put to Sea with a fair Wind: but whilst they were amused in resolving some difficulties as to place and conditions for their landing, the Citadel was gone.

The Archduke had granted the Besieged a Truce during the six days, Bertrand de Patras Campagnoles Brother to the Governor of Boulogne, being entred into the Ci∣tadel by the Canal at low Water with two hundred and fifty Men, caused them to break it. The Archduke irritated at this infraction, immediately attaques the Citadel, and by the advice of Rosne who knew the defects of the place, beat the Curtain between the two Bastions which face the Port, to dust; then Afternoon on the same day the Three and twentieth of April, gives three Assaults. The Besieged

sustained two, not without great loss. Bidossan was kill'd▪ in the second. After this it was time to yield: but Campagnoles by an excess of bravour, would needs stand a third. His Soldiers did not second his Resolution, they gave ground, and threw away their Arms to save themselves, some here, some there. Such as could get into the Sanctuary of the Churches, or avoid the first fury saved their Lives: all the rest to the number of above seven hundred were put to the Sword.

It had been no great difficulty for the King to have made the Spaniards perish for want in Calais, had he been assured the English would have served him faithfully: but as he had not too much reason to confide in them, he returned to the Siege of la Fere, having first re-inforced the Garisons of Ardres, Monstreuil, and Boulogne. La [month April.] Fere might have held out much longer by the ordinary rules, had it not been for the Consideration of Colas: the King of Spain had given Order to Osorio not to stay till the utmost extremity, for fear he should be obliged to deliver that Man up to the King; so that although he had nothing to fear for at least a Months time, he made [Year of our Lord 1596] his Capitulation the Fifteenth of May, to which Colas Signed, Count de la Fere. [month May.]

But in the interim the Archduke marching out of Calais the Third day of May to compleat his Exploits, attaqued Ardres, a little place, but very strong, and very considerable for that it covers Calais. The Count de Belin and Montluc had shut themselves in to defend it, and there were Fifteen hundred fighting Men, nevertheless the horrible Slaughters of Dourlens and Calais, had so much terrified those Soldiers, that they trembled even while they defended themselves. It hapned likewise by mis∣fortune that Montluc, in whom they had some confidence was slain by a Cannon-ball, and afterwards the Basse-Ville was gained, and most of those in it knock'd on the Head in heaps just at the entrance into the Upper-Town, by reason those that stood there to guard it being more affrighted then the others, had let down the Port-cullice, and exposed them to the fury of the Besiegers. Afterwards Rosne begins to thunder upon the Bastion with his great Artillery; which begot so horrible and universal a dread amongst the Soldiers, that they even leaped over the Walls, or ran and hid their Heads in Cellars. Belin himself most extreamly affrighted, demanded Com∣position and surrendred the place the One and twentieth of May. Which having done maugre the Governor (named Isambert du Bois-Annebout) and without taking advice of the other Captains, he ran great hazard of his Life at Court.

This was the sixth* 1.77 place the Spaniards conquer'd in one year from the French, not so much by their own, as the Valour of Rosne and about a hundred desperate Frenchmen more, who knowing themselves utterly excluded from all pardon and fa∣vour, endeavour'd to make the King regret them, and the Spaniard consider them. Now it fortun'd happily for France that the Archduke at his return to Flanders, be∣sieging Hulst in the Country of Waes, Rosne was there kill'd in an Assault; which hapned in the Month of August. [month August.]

So many losses on the neck of one another, the Frontier laid open in four or five places, the Sea shut up, the robberles of the Soldiers, the surcharge of Tailles and Imposts, caused an incredible consternation in the minds of the People, awakened the Factions of the League, and favour'd the Contrivances of the Grandees. These well foreseeing that the too sudden establishment of the Regal Power would be the [month June.] ruine of their own, suborned the Duke of Montpensier a young and easie Prince, to propound to the King, That it would do well to give the Governments in propriety to those that held them, thereby to engage them to contribute with all their might to the defence of a State, in which they really had a share. One may well imagine that this Expedient did not over-much please the King: nevertheless he treated this [Year of our Lord 1596] Prince in such a manner, as seeming angry rather with those who had engaged him [month June.] to deliver this Message, then with him, he put him first into a confusion, and then furnish'd him with Reasons enough even to confound them likewise, if ever they made mention again of the like to him.

The Huguenots gave him no less disquiet then did the Grandees of his Kingdom; he could not grant them the Edict they craved without offending the Pope; and they [month July and Aug.] to secure themselves deliberated to chuse them a Protector, and establish an Order amongst them, which realy would have formed, as it were another State in the heart of the Kingdom. After his Conversion they look'd upon him as a Prince whose

interest was to destroy them: they interpreted all the Excuses he made for not yet being able to satisfie them, as studied Artifice, and the remembrance of things past, gave them just apprehensions for the time to come. And, indeed, they forsook him in the midst of the Storm; and held more Synods and Assemblies in these three last years, then in the thirty five precedent.

The King was labouring at that time to re-unite all the Protestants his Allies in one League against the House of Austria: these discontents of the Huguenots cast great coldness and suspicion upon their Spirits; so that the German Princes did all excuse [month September and October.] themselves, excepting the Count Palatine, and the Duke of Wirtemberg, who not∣withstanding gave him only good words. Bouillon and Sancy had much ado to engage the Queen of England, who at length made it Offensive and Defensive; The King and she obliging themselves reciprocally to send four thousand Men into eithers Country, if they were assaulted, and to make no Peace or Truce with the Spaniard, but by mutual consent. The Hollanders entred into it likewise, with great willingness and alacrity, by a Treaty made the last day of October, and promised to march into the Field upon the Frontiers of Artois or Picardy, with Ten thousand Foot, and fifteen hundred Horse.

The Kings Army was so tired with the Siege of la Fere, that he was fain to send them to refresh themselves in the Provinces, reserving only some Troops with which the Mareschal de Biron made three several irruptions into Artois. He made horrible devastation in that Country by Fire and Sword, as well in revenge of the cruel spoil [month June, July, &c.] the Archduke had made in Boulonois, after the taking of Ardres, as to teach him here∣after to make a fairer War.

In the Month of July a Comet was discover'd in the Heavens, whose light appeared sometimes pale and faint, otherwhile more clear and lively: it had a long Train that did extend towards the East and South.

Another Prodigy appeared in France at the beginning of the year; Francis de la Ramee, a young Man so called (being the name of a Gentleman with whom he had been bred in Poitou) pretended to be lawful Heir to the Crown. He said he was Son of Charles IX. and Elizabeth of Austria, and fancied that Catharine de Medicis stole him in his Cradle, sent him out of his Country, pretending he was dead, that so her dear Son Henry III. might succeed. Now being come, I know not how, out of Poiton into Vermandois, he lodg'd himself in a Peasants House who assisted him in acting this Comedy, and bare Witness of many Apparitions which this young Man pretended to have frequently seen. There was great probability this Farce [Year of our Lord 1596] was contrived and countenanced by some Grandees of the Kingdom, and perhaps they would have carried it on a great way, and perplexed the King a long time with it, had not the thrid of it been cut in time. A Counsellor of Parliament who hapned to be upon the place, having caused this pretended Prince and his Paranymph to be apprehended, they were both carried to Reims, where they were condemned, the first to the Gallows, the other to be present at the Execution. The Parliament of Paris upon his appeal confirmed the Sentence, and added that the Body of la Ramee should be burnt and the Ashes cast into the Air. This was executed in the Greve the [month March.] Eighth day of March; The Parties condemned having been first obliged to own the Imposture openly.

Those things which pained the King most were how to content the Zealous Catho∣licks, [month September and October.] and the Court of Rome, who were concerned how he would behave himself after his Absolution: to find wherewith to defray the Expences of his Armies amidst the present distractions and miseries of his People: and to redress and remedy the in∣conveniencies we have mentioned. For satisfaction touching the first point, he re∣ceived the Popes Legat with all Affection and Reverence, and took care the Prince of Conde might be instructed in the Catholick Religion. The Mother of this Prince having been justified by the Parliament of Paris, followed her Son in his Religion, as she followed him in his Fortune, and made her abjuration at Rouen, at the feet of the Legat. This was Alexander de Medicis, Cardinal and Archbishop of Florence, a Prelat who coming into France with a Pacifique Spirit, appeared as much an Enemy to all hot-headed Zealots, as a true lover of Peace and the good of this Kingdom.

For the other two points, the King could find no way more ready or effectual then to call a great Assembly of all the Kingdom: but it was only of Notables chosen out of the Grandees, Prelats, and Officers of Justice and of the Finances, or Treasury:

for that of the General Estates would have been too delatory and tedious, and then as [month November.] much as the wisest Politicians have otherwhile loved them, so much the Princes of these latter times did dread them.

This meeting was held in the great Hall of the Abby St. Ouin at Rouen; The King began the first Session on the Fourth of November with a Speech that was Pa∣thetick, Concise, and Sententious: in which they were over-joy'd to hear these Expressions truly worthy and becomming a good King, whatever motive put them into his Mouth; That he had not called them thither to follow him blindfold in what he [✚] should desire, but to take their Councils, to believe them, to pursue them, in short to put himself under their Tutelage. The Chancellor set forth the urgent necessity of Affairs, and demanded speedy assistance. The Deputies made ready their Papers* 1.78 for the Reformation of the State; and upon this occasion the Officers of the Robe and Finances, made it appear by their demeanour, that their power and interest was going to exceed all other Ranks and Orders, as they have done, even to these very times.

[Year of our Lord 1596] Many excellent Reiglements were made, and they named Commissioners to see them executed, who were to undertake it till the meeting of another the like As∣sembly, [month December.] which was to be held at the end of three years. All Orders made, in such [☜] Assemblies, for the publick good, turn quickly into Air and nothingness, while the Im∣positions, and those Taxes as oppress the Subjects, are sure to become permanent; and therefore such as were of the Kings Council believing these Commissioners were but so many Spies and Controllers of their Actions, did soon elude all their care and dili∣gence herein: but did not in the least forget most punctually to put those Orders in execution that were made for the raising of Money, to wit, the Postponing, or to say better, retrenching all Officers Wages for a year, and the Imposition of a Sol per Liver upon all Merchandize entring into any enclosed Town, excepting Wheat. The first brought in a present Supply, but the second produced much more trouble and difficulty, then Money.

[Year of our Lord 1597] Neither King Philips Body or his Mind, had vigour enough to follow his swift∣footed Fortune, or carry the prosperity of his Arms so far as possibly they might have [month January, &c.] been in the present conjunctures. As he began to languish and decay, he desired the short remainder of his days might be free from all ponderous Cares and Troubles; and besides he much longed to leave the Low-Countries, at least, to his dear Daughter Isabella Eugenia, since not able after the expence of so many Millions to obtain the Crown of France for her. He gave therefore greedy Ear to the Propositions of Ac∣commodation made to him by his Holiness, and had given long and favourable Au∣dience to the General of the Cordeliers, named Bonaventure de Calatagirone, who was come to wait on him on behalf of the Pope. He afterwards sent him to the Arch∣duke Albert, who made him go into France, and from thence he returned again to Flanders. So that the Treaty was much advanced, when an accident, of the greatest astonishment to France, interrupted it, and brought this Kingdom again into extre∣mity of danger.

Hernand* 1.79 Teillo Governor of Dourlens, (who in the Body of a Dwarf, had a more then Gigantine courage) being well informed of the ill order observed by the Inhabitants of Amiens in the guarding of their Gates, (for they would admit of no Garison) formed an Enterprize upon the Town, and having communicated it to the Arch-Dukes Council, obtained four thousand Men to put it in execution. The Tenth of March a little before Nine in the Morning while all the People were at Church, sixteen Soldiers disguised like Peasants, and commanded by a Captain named d'Ognane, enter the Gate de Montrescut, some carrying Nuts, others Aples, and the [Year of our Lord 1597] rest driving a Cart loaden with Straw. One of the first lets fall a Bag of Nuts [month March.] purposely untied to amuse the Guard, and at the same time the Cart advances upon the Bridge of the second Gate, and there stops to hinder the Port-cullis from bar∣ring up their way. Upon the Signal given, which was agreed to be the firing off a Pistol, these Soldiers fall upon the Court of Guard, and charge them nimbly. A gross of Two hundred Foot conceal'd within a Chappel about two hundred paces off, then another of a thousand more, and after these another Body of Horse who waited a quarter of a League from thence, ran with all speed to second them. There were not above seven or eight of the Guard that made resistance, the rest betaking themselves to flight, put all the City into fear and confusion; well might

the Allarm-Bell ring out, few People put themselves into a posture of defence. The Spaniards in the mean time seized upon the Church Gates, the Markets and Ramparts. The Count de Sainct Pol as much affrighted as the People, in stead of intrenching himself at some Gate, mounted on Horseback and escaped to Corbie, crying out he was going to fetch some Troops quartred within half a League of that place. Hernand Master of the Town, gave it over to the Spoil, the Inhabitants were stript to their very Shirts, and set at Ransom, excepting some that were of the Confederacy, or such as had been of the most Zealous Leaguers.

The King was in his Bed when he received this so surprizing news: he rose imme∣diately and sent for several Friends that they might comfort him. The most undaunted took France to be now in great danger when they saw Paris was become a Frontier, at one end the Duke of Mercoeur, at the other the Duke of Savoy, in the midst the Re∣liques of the old Factions endeavouring to joyn again in a Body, and the new Cabals shewing their Heads. There was but one Remedy, and that was to regain Amiens with expedition, but the Enterprize appeared very difficult; and this was certain, that if it failed, the affront would more then double the present disaster. So that the most part of the chief Officers dissuaded it, and there were even some would needs have their Protestations registred in Parliament. The Duke of Mayenne was almost the only Man of a contrary opinion, who so encouraged the King, that he [Year of our Lord 1597] gave a small Body of four thousand Men to the Mareschal de Biron to invest it towards [month March.] Artois, and to hold the Enemies still in play, and then resolved to go himself and secure the Cities on the Frontier, and give Order for all things to be prepared for the Siege.

The troublesom reliques of a Distemper which his Divertisements had brought upon him the precedent year, sent him back from the Frontiers to Paris, and kept him there almost three weeks in his Chamber. We cannot forbear to mention that during this time, the anguish of his Malady joyning with the misfortune of his Af∣fairs, did almost stagger and overcome his constancy, and forced from his heart such Sighs and such Complaints as were rather conformable to the ill state of his Condition, [month April.] then any way becoming the grandeur of his Courage; He went to his Parliament likewise, and demanded Assistance in terms which were, it seems, beneath his Dignity.

However, his Presence was not useless at Paris to hasten the Levies of Men and Money. The Provinces on this side the Loire undertook to maintain six Regiments of Foot for him; great numbers of the Nobility flocked thither after him; and because there were some yet very loath to leave their own homes, and many Malecontent, the Parliament to oblige them to come forth, made a Decree which set a Mark of Infamy upon all those that did not get on Horseback upon this urgent occasion.

For the Money, Maximilian de Betune Rosny provided it: he was become sole Sur-Intendant des Finances, Sancy and Schomberg not being able to comply with him, had quitted that and taken up the employment of the Sword again. They raised a con∣siderable Fund by voluntary Loans, and the creation of divers Offices; those in best condition at Paris Taxed themselves very liberally, as well out of fear of falling into the miseries of War again, as because the Re-imbursements were assigned upon the melioration of the Gabels, which was a good Security. There were four Counsel∣lors created in each Parliament, as many Maistres des Comptes in the Chamber of Paris, two Treasurers of France in every Court of Audit, two Esleus in all the Elections, a Trienval aux Tresoriers de L'Espargne, one at the Parties Casuelles, and so of all the Accomptables.

This latter way being extreamly chargable to the Kings Finances, by consequent to the People, there were some Counsellors of Parliament, more worthy of ancient Rome then of a Country where the love to publick good does ordinarily pass but for [Year of our Lord 1597] a Whimsey, who propounded that all the Officers of the Kingdom should contribute, [month April.] generously offering to Tax themselves, that so the Country might be deliver'd at [☞] their Expences: but the greater number were not the most generous, and Interest had the Ascendant over Honour.

From the end of March Biron was scowring about the Country towards Dourlens with some Horse, to prevent the Spaniards from conveying Ammunitions into Amiens; And though he were fewer in numbers then those of Amiens, he notwithstanding began

the Circumvalation beyond the Somme. It was forty thousand fathom in circumfe∣rence, flanked with seven strong Pentagones, and with a Bridge upon the River [month April and May.] above the Village called Longpre. All the Month of April was spent in marching of Men thither, that of May in making their Lodgments in their Quarters; so that the approaches began not till about the beginning of June.

[month June.] It was near this time the King arrived there with his whole Court, and even his Mistress. He had lodged her near himself, but was quickly forced to remove that scandal from the sight of his Soldiers, not only by their mutterings which came even to his Ears, but likewise upon the reproaches of the Mareschal de Biron; who considered not that there is nothing more dangerous then to shock the Pleasures of ones Soveraign, or to take any advantage to make him know his own weakness.

Upon the first rumour of the loss of Amiens, the remainders of the Spanish Faction would have made some stir in Paris, where King Philip still maintain'd a little private Council to encourage his Partisans. The most Zealous therefore held some meetings, to consider whether they might do him any Service in this juncture of Affairs: but one of them having discover'd a Consult of theirs in a Cabaret, there were some of them truss'd up in the Greve; and the ignominious death of those quite broke off that dangerous Correspondence, and untied the whole knot of them.

[month May.] In this juncture, the greatest part of the Lords despairing of the settlement of France, or glad of an opportunity to pretend so, an Assembly was held in Bretagne of the Nobility, in presence even of Brissac, Lieutenant for the King in those Coun∣tries, and with the knowledge, as they said, of the Dukes of Montpensier, de la Tri∣mouille, and de Bouillon: where they propounded to make a Tiers (or third) Party, under the name of Bons* 1.80 Francois, and under the Protection of the Queen of Eng∣land, as if the King had not had Strength enough to defend them, or had been wanting in Care or Courage. But the news they received that the Siege of Amiens went on more successfully then they had guessed, stifled this Proposition, and dissolved the Assembly.

Nothing less was expected from the Duke of Mercoeur, but that the Truce which was to hold but till the end of March, being expired, he would make a great Effort to Master the whole Province: nevertheless the Kings Agents had so much influence upon him, that he prolonged it to the latter end of July. Wherein he seemed not well to understand his interest, and gave others a just occasion to reproach him with what he had often told the Duke of Mayenne, That opportunities had never failed [Year of our Lord 1597] him, but he had often missed his opportunities. [month May.]

As for the Duke of Savoy, Lesdiguieres not only made Head against him, but car∣ried the War even into his own Country. He entred Morienne with Six thousand Men, gave chace to Don Salines General of the Dukes Horse, took St. John de Mo∣rienne, St. Michael, Aiguebella, and divers Castles. The Duke on his part Armed powerfully to drive him from his Territories; and there hapned many Rencounters between them, where the Valour of that Prince, and the Experience of Lesdiguieres, turned the balance of success sometimes one way, sometimes the other, till Winter came and parted the two Armies.

The Princes of Italy took France to be so much lost by the loss of Amiens, that the Duke of Florence had the confidence to think of seizing some small fragment for his share. During the greatest heat of the League, Bausset fearing lest the Spaniards, who had an Eye upon Marseilles, should seize upon the Island and Castle d'If, whereof he was Governor, had intreated that Duke to send some Forces to assist him in the keeping them. The Duke slipt not the opportunity, he sends him Five hundred Men, however Bausset still kept the Castle of If, and quarter'd them without, upon the Island. Now, one day when his Son whom he had left in his place, was gone to Marseilles, they seized upon this Castle, partly by craft, partly by force, and drove out all the French.

They pretended in the beginning (to amuse the Marseillois) that they would only hold it for the King, and defend it against all his Enemies; but when the Duke of Guise had built a Fort in the Island of Ratouneau, which lies near that of If, thereby to cover Marseilles and counter-mine them, they openly declared their in∣tention.

John de Medicis Brother of the Duke of Florence, coming thither with five Galleys, built another Fort in the Island of Pommegue, distant about a Mile from the other two, took the Frigats the Marseillois had freighted with Provisions, to Victual the Fort of Ratonneau, and even told du Vair who was sent to him, that those Islands belonged to his Brother the Duke. In effect, had not the face of the Kings Affairs been changed, he would have explained his Pretensions, and have urged that the Dutchess his Wife had a right to this Island, as being of the House of Lorrain, who believed they had so to all Provence.

The Huguenots after the Kings Conversion, made as it were a Band apart, and minded their own Interest singly, as being now disjoyned from his. They had employ'd themselves in no other thing for two years past but holding of Assemblies Politique composed of three Deputies of each Province, i. e. a Gentleman, a Mi∣nister and an Elder. They met first at Saumur, then at Loudun, afterwards at Ven∣dosme, [Year of our Lord 1597] [month July.] then again at Saumur, and lastly at Chastelleraud. From all these Places they sent Deputies to the King to beseech him he would convert the Truce which Henry III. had granted them, into an irrevocable Peace; and he amused them still with fair words, delays, and many difficulties of his own creating.

Now when they plainly perceived that the more he setled his own Affairs the less he granted to them, that besides he was perfectly well with his Holiness, and heaped his favours and caresses on the Leaguers: they imagined the coming of the Legat into France was upon some design to prejudice them, and that he was just upon making his Agreement with Spain to destroy them utterly. These apprehensions and the suggestions of la Trimouille and the Mareschal de Bouillon, had made them like to have run to their Arms three or four times: nevertheless the more moderate, and the more saint-hearted amongst them, who conjectured that when Amiens was taken, they must lie at the Kings Mercy, could not be persuaded to it; on the con∣trary joyning to their Arguments some other means they used at the same time to gain the Deputies in those Assemblies, they prevailed so far, as to possess the others with Patience, and to make them wait for the Edict he promised them.

Few of them however came to him at the Siege of Amiens, the apprehensions some malicious People buzz'd in their Pates,* 1.81 Of a Sainct Bartholomew in the Field, and the little esteem they guess'd the Court had for them, kept them at home. As to the rest, all that seemed to be most contrary to the Kings Service did on this occasion most promote it: for Biron surpassed himself, although he had no real affection for him, his own Honour call'd him to Action; The Leaguers were desirous now to be∣come the Sword and Restorers of the State, as they had been the Bucklers of Re∣ligion; and the Queen of England, though much dissatisfied, sent him four thousand Men.

[month June, July, and August.] In the Town were Five hundred Garison Soldiers, and above threescore Cannon mounted on the Ramparts: by this means the Besieged were daily at handy blows with the French, destroy'd their Works and their Batteries, stopt them upon every turn, and sometimes made them even give ground, so that it was three Months 'ere they got to the Fosse. Amongst a many Sallies, they made three very great ones, in the last of which were slain Five hundred French and thirty of their Officers. The use of Mines, which had been but little practised in France during the Civil War, was revived in this Siege: each did instantly attaque the other by these Subterrane∣ous Fires: and oft-times such were going to spring one Mine, who found another bursting out under his Feet, which blew him into the Air, or buried him quick in the Earth.

The perpetual Combats by night and day, much diminished the Besieged, sickness had cast a greater number yet upon their Beds, and their Medicaments which were [Year of our Lord 1597] stale and spoiled, in stead of healing, hastned the death of the Wounded. Besides [month July and Aug.] they were to defend themselves within against the Inhabitants, amongst whom was discover'd a great Conspiracy to have open'd one of the Gates to the Besiegers; in so much that Hernand Teillo durst make no Sallies without keeping great Guards of Horsemen in the Streets. Having therefore no more Soldiers then what was neces∣sary to withstand the Assaults, he sent the Arch-Duke word of the Condition he was in, conjuring him to make an Effort to save that place which cover'd his Low-Countries, and gave him so fair a passage into France.

[month August.] The Arch-Duke was ill seconded in this design by the King of Spain, but being enough excited by his own Honour, and not caring if he did hazard some Towns in his own Country to preserve so important a Forreign Conquest, drew together, with all diligence, an Army of Eighteen thousand Foot, and four thousand Horse, and taking his march, accompanied with the Duke of Aumale and the old Count Mansfeild who was carried in a Sedan, sent Contreras before with Nine hundred Horse to observe the Enemy. It was very dangerous to expose such a Party of Cavalry in the Field against an Army that had almost seven thousand Horse at their Command, and indeed Contreras after his departure from Dourlens, being advanced as far as Querieu within three Leagues of Amiens, was smartly repulsed: He thought in case of necessity to make his escape to Bapaume, but was overtaken by the Light Horse near the Rivolet of Encre, then by the King himself, who took three Cornets from him, and put the rest to the rout amongst the Woods, where they were left to the mercy of the merci∣less Peasants.

This Essay was but an ill presage for the Arch-Dukes Enterprize, and a worse yet was the death of Hernand Teillo, who no doubt would have bravely seconded him. [month September.] The Third of September, as he was standing upon a Ravelin ready to make a Sally, he was slain by a Musquet Shot which hit him in the Side. The Besieged by unani∣mous consent, elected in his stead Hierome Caraffa Marquiss de Montenegro, and owned him for their Governor.

Two days after Francis de l'Espinay Sainct Luc Governor of Brouage, and Great Master of the Ordnance, had the like fate. He was a Lord that for his real worth had few his equals at Court, not any for his Generosity and Wit, and the soft charms of Conversation. His Government passed to his Son: but his Office of Grand Maistre to Anthony d'Estree by the favour of Gabriella his Daughter, upon condition however that he should take some other Reward for it, and exchange it again at the Kings pleasure.

The Fifteenth of the Month the Arch-Duke parted from Dourlens with his Army in a Body: but he advancing not above two Leagues the three first days, because the Duke of Montpensier was hovering about him with the Light-Horse: the King imagined he had no design to attempt any thing by open force, but only lie hovering [Year of our Lord 1597] about his Camp to convey some Relief into the place by surprize; so that upon [month September.] the third day he went early in the Morning to a Hunting Match he had appointed. Now the Arch-Duke, whether he had notice of it, or had before so resolved, marched more Leagues in that one night and the next Morning then in the other two days, so that towards Noon he appeared upon the side of a Hill about five hundred paces beyond Longpre. His intention was to gain that Post, and afterwards make himself Master of the Bridge upon the Somme, to pass Two thousand five hundred Men into the City, whom he had expressly cull'd out, and put under the Conduct of Charles de Longueval Count de Buquoy.

At sight of this great Army, the Sutlers and Camp-Boys belonging to the Kings ran away in a fright, the out-Guards were abandoned, the Foot fell first into confu∣sion and then to a rout, neither the Constable nor other chief Commanders could re-assure them, the Dukes of Montpensier and Nevers appeared in vain on the out∣lines, to cover this disorder in the Camp, the terror spread it self still more and more thorough all the Army. The Spanish Horse already cry'd out Victory, and the Soldiers said, Come we must fall on: but the Arch-Duke knew not how to improve so fair an op∣portunity, he lost above three hours time in holding Council. In the mean while the Duke of Mayenne who guess'd his design, sent some old Soldiers and six Field∣pieces towards Longpre, and the King returning from his Sport put his Men into or∣der, and restored their courage again, though not without much difficulty.

At last, the Arch-Duke having deliberated a long time, moved towards Longpre▪ When his Men were about mid-way, the six Guns began to play upon them, and rak'd quite cross so effectually, that they took off whole Ranks together: neverthe∣less they had not above five hundred paces more to get quit of this Storm, and be out of danger, and then might easily have gained Longpre and the Bridge. But this un∣expected Slaughter discomposing him the more, because his Spies had assured him there were no Cannon near that place, he commanded them to gain the Hill that they

might be secure; which exposed them in truth much longer to the fury of the Cannon, and cost them two hundred Men in stead of fifty. His Council thought convenient that from thence he should go and Post himself at St. Sauveur, which is a quarter of a League more to the left hand on the Rivers side.

The night was spent in perpetual allarms, mean time the Duke of Mayenne, for fear of falling the next day into the same peril as before, caused the Avenues to Longpre speedily to be fortified. This proved a necessary work, for on the Morrow the Arch-Duke laid a Bridge over against St. Sauveur, and immediately endeavour'd to pass his Forces to assault Longpre; but found the French so well prepared to re∣ceive [Year of our Lord 1597] them in every part, that he durst engage no farther; From that very time he [month September.] began to consider of his retreat, and at night went to lodge at Vignancour. Nei∣ther did he remain there above four or five hours; For finding the King follow'd him with all his Army, excepting four thousand Men, whom he left in the Trenches, and that his Post was not tenable, he dislodg'd a little after midnight. If the King had been believed, he could not have got off without a Battle; There is some probability he might have gained it against an Army disordered by their hasty retreat, and then no doubt but the Conquest of the Low-Countries would have been the con∣sequence of that Victory. However his Captains considering the chance of War is ever uncertain, and that the Kingdom of France would have run too great a hazard in his Person, because in the present Condition of things, his Succession must have been very Disputable and Contentious, they restrained his forward heat and brought him back to the Siege.

The Arch-Duke being returned into Artois employ'd his Forces for the taking Monthuli•• which incommoded Ardres, then dismissed them, and retired to Arras. He there fell sick, of Grief, as it was said, for having no better succeeded in his Enter∣prize of Amiens, and for the loss, during his absence, of seven or eight places taken by Prince Maurice along the River Rhine, and in the Country of Over-Issel.

The same day he went off, the Besieged being Summoned, which was upon the Nineteenth of September, did not think convenient to stand so obstinately on a de∣fence which might have held long indeed, but had been to no purpose, and only dan∣gerous to themselves. They Capitulated therefore upon the best Conditions usually granted on the like occasions, and promised to surrender in six days, unless they were relieved within that time; They were allowed to send notice of it to the Arch-Duke, and gave Hostages for performance of the Agreement. The said Term expired, they ren∣dred the Town in the Morning of the Five and twentieth of the Month: The Con∣stable received it in the Name of the King, they going forth about Ten of the Clock the same day, carrying off together with their Bagage three hundred wound∣ed Men, and a thousand Women, whereof four hundred belonged to that City.

The King being on Horseback at the Head of his Army, with great kindness per∣mitted Montenegre and the other Captains to salute him by embracing his Knees. At Evening he made his entrance into the City, and gave the Government to Do∣minick de Vic, who finding but Eight hundred Inhabitants there in all, re-peopled it [Year of our Lord 1597] with four thousand within two years after, and obtain'd the re-establishment of all [month September.] their Priviledges, but could not prevent the raising a Citadel over their Heads, which makes their Posterity sigh to this very day, for the neglect of their great Grand∣fathers.

The King himself carried the news of the surrender of Amiens to the Arch-Duke [month October and November.] who was in Arras, went to visit him there with his whole Army, and to salute him with some Volees of Cannon; Then finding no body mov'd, he returned to Dour∣lens and invested it. But the Rains, the Myre, the scarcity of Provisions, the too great Fatigues, and the Maladies proceeding from all those inconveniencies, con∣strained them to decamp before the end of the Month of October with great damage and some shame.

Towards the end of this year the Dutchy of Ferrara, for want of Heirs Males, reverted to the Holy See by the Death of Duke Alphonso II. the last Legitimate Prince of the House of Est, and Son of Hercules II. and of Madam Renee of

France. Ferrara was of the number of those Territories which the Countess [month October, &c.] Matilda Daughter and Heiress to the eldest of the House of Est, gave to the Holy See for the sake of Pope Gregory VII. about the year 1077. Since that time the Male-off-spring of the other Brothers, bearing the Title of Marquiss d'Est, had ever enjoy'd it, not as Proprietors, but only Vicars of the Holy See, till the year 1471. that Pope Paul erected it to a Dutchy and invested Borso therewith; to whom the Emperor had also given Modena and Regio with the like Titles.

Now the Duke Alphonso II. seeing himself without Male Children, had made divers Applications to the Pope and the Emperor, to obtain the transport of his Dutchies to Cesar d'Est who was his Kinsman. The Court of Rome did not think him fit to succeed, because his Father, who was an Alphonso, was reputed but the Natural Son of Duke Alphonso I. of that name. Thus on that side he could get no ground, but he gave such vast Sums to the Emperor Rodolphus, that he granted him the transport of the Dutchy Modena and Regio, of the Principality of Carpy, and some other Territories holding of the Empire. He made account that with all these, together with the great Wealth, and the good Friends he should leave him, he might be able to maintain himself by force in the Dutchy of Ferrara. In effect, when he died, which hapned the Twenty seventh of October, Cesar be∣lieving he should be supported by the Venetians, and even the Spaniards too, got into possession, and at first stood firm against the Excommunications of Pope Cle∣ment, and against his Army which was commanded by the Cardinal Aldobrandino Legat and Nephew of his Holiness: but when he understood that the King of [Year of our Lord 1597] France, which he never did imagine, took the affirmative for the Pope, and found the dread of this great Power had cooled his Allies, and affrighted the Ferrareses, he threw down his Sword, and made his Accommodation about the end of December.

By the Treaty, he restored the Dutchy of Ferrara, to the Pope: Who left him all the free Lands, or Estate, which the House of Est had possessed there, and granted that he and the Dukes his Descendants, should have in Rome the same Rank, and the same Prerogatives as the Dukes of Ferrara had there enjoy'd.

[month November and December.] The City of Paris honour'd the Kings Victory with a Triumphant Entrance they made for him. He pass'd the whole Winter in his Louvre hearkning to Propositions of Peace, but making, however, preparations for War, employing his Intelligences to disunite the Huguenots, and above all to regulate and meliorate his Finances. As to the Peace, while he was yet before Dourlens, Villeroy on his behalf, and John Richardot on the Arch-Dukes, conferr'd together upon the Frontiers of Picardy and Artois, and had agreed together that both Kings should send their Deputies to Vervins, where the Popes Legat was to be present in quality of Mediator.

[Year of our Lord 1598] Both were equally inclined to it upon different Considerations, Henry IV. after so many satigues and pains, earnestly desired to enjoy his repose, and apprehended lest [month January.] by the continuation of a War Fortune should shew him such another slippery trick as the surpisal of Amiens, that some new Faction should start up within his Kingdom amongst the Grandees, or the Huguenots, or even in his own House, because he had no Children. As for King Philip, he found himself even dying, and saw his Son both weak and unexperienc'd; so that they were both resolved to proceed with more sincerity then is wont to be practised on such occasions.

The King for this purpose named Pompone de Bellievre, and Bruslard de Sillery, both Counsellors of State, and the latter also a President in Parliament. The Arch-Duke having powers from the King of Spain (who had contrived it thus, that so if his Deputies must give place, the shame would be the less to him) made choice of John Richardot President of the Catholick Kings Council in the Low-Countries, John Baptist Tassis Knight of the Order of St. James, and Louis Verreiken Audiencier, Prime Secretary and Treasurer of the Council of State.

[Year of our Lord 1598] Those of France arrived at Vervins the Seventh of February, those of Spain a few [month February.] days after. The French, as being at home, went to visit them first, yet would not extend their civility so far as to give them the upper-hand at their meeting. This was a great stumbling Block at their very entrance: the Legat found an Expedient to remove it. He took the higher end, as it belonged to him, placed his Nuncio at his right had, and gave the French their choice either to sit beneath the Nuncio, or right over against him. They chose the latter, and left the other to the Spaniard.

This method satisfied them all, these vaunting they had the right hand, and the other that they were scated nearest to the Legat, besides that he to whom we allow the choice hath the advantage.

They first agreed to a Cessation of Arms for four Leagues round Vervins, and safe-Conducts for their Couriers that should travel to Paris and Bruxels. The King had explained himself that he could not Treat, unless they would put things into the same condition as they were stated by the Treaty of Cateau in Cambresis, Anno 1559. and that they would comprehend his Allies: the Deputies for the Arch-Duke agreed to the first▪ but having no express Commission for the second, they were forced to send into Spain about it. A general one was sent them, but with private Orders, enjoyning them not to comprehend the Rebels of the United Provinces, whom they pretended to be still their Subjects, or else in exchange to comprehend on their side the Duke of Mercoeur, who was no more Rebel, said they, then those Pro∣vinces, as also the Duke of Savoy, who should not be obliged to restore the Mar∣quisate of Salusses.

These were two great difficulties: there were also two others; the one concerning the manner and time for restoring of places, and the other the business of Cambray: for the French demanded it should be left to its Neutrality, and that the Citadel should be razed, and the Spaniards were obstinate for holding it, because, as they pleaded, they had conquer'd it from an Usurper.

But for the two first, the Kings indulgent Fortune and the faithful Care of his Of∣ficers surmounted them. The Duke of Savoy in the beginning of February, had again taken the Field with a considerable Army, having Albigny for Lieutenant, [month February.] lately entred into his Service. With these Forces he regained Aiguebelle, and then besieged Charbonnieres, a place standing upon a high Rock at the entrance into the passage of Chamberry near St. Jean de Maurienne. Lesdiguieres sent Crequi with Twelve hundred Men to its relief; the Duke suffering him to approach, hemm'd him so dexterously in amongst the streights of those Mountains, with all his Men, that he defeated one Party of them, and compell'd the rest with their Commander, to lay down their Arms and surrender themselves, after they had lain one night in the [Year of our Lord 1598] Snow.

[month February.] This defeat had carried such a dread into Daufine and Lyonnois, where there were at that time no Forces, as it put the Duke upon a new attempt against those Pro∣vinces. Lesdiguieres himself pretended to be amazed at the blow, and perhaps might be so: but the old Fox* 1.82 having recover'd his sences, contrived a design which put a stop to all the Dukes further Conquests. This was the taking the Fort de Barraux: He attaqued it the night of the Thirteenth of March by Moon-shine, and [month March.] gained it by meer strength in less then two hours time, although the Garison had notice of the Enterprize, and waited him with their Matches ready lighted and cock'd.

The reputation of this Action was very great, though the importance of the place was not so, the Savoy Ambassador did not talk now so lowd at Vervins. How∣ever he stood stiff for the Marquisate: but the Spaniards did not so back him as they ought to have done their Masters Son in Law, but obliged him to relinquish. So that [month March and April.] as to what concerned him, they came to an Agreement,

That the Pope should be sole Judge of the Differences between him and the King; That his Holiness should decide them within one years time; That if he should happen to die before that time, there should be a three Months Truce between the Parties, during which they should make choice of some other Arbitrators: That in the interim the Duke should surrender the City of Berre in Provence, which he yet held, and that he should disown Captain la Fortune, who had seized upon Seure* 1.83 in Burgundy in his name; That the Duke should stand Neuter between the two Crowns.

As to the Duke of Mercoeur, he seeking every day new pretences and shifts to delay his Agreement, hoping the Spaniards would comprehend him amongst their Allies: the King was advised by Schomberg to draw towards Bretagne, that so his presence might wholly quell the Duke, and likewise determine the business of the Huguenots. He follow'd this good Advice, and sent Order to Brissace to begin the War, whilst he prepared for that Expedition, and appointed a Council at Paris to govern there during his absence, and Forces to guard the Frontiers against any invasion of the Arch-Dukes.

So soon as Brissac had drawn the Sword, he executed an Enterprize projected upon Dinan. The Inhabitants having barricado'd themselves against the Castle; he be∣sieged it, and took it upon Composition. The King departed from Paris in the

Month of February: The rumour of his March so terrified those Captains that held [month February.] the little places upon the Frontiers of Bretagne, as Craon and Rochefort in Anjou, Montjan in the Country of Maine, Mirabeau in Touraine, Tifauges in Poitou, and [Year of our Lord 1598] Ancenis even in Bretagne, that they brought the Keyes to him on his way. [month February.]

The Dukes astonishment was great, when he heard those places he expected should serve him as Out-works to retard the Kings Progress, were fallen in a moment, and so had left all those he held in Bretagne wholly naked, and besides much startled by their example. There being now no other Refuge for him but the Kings Clemency, he had recourse to it by the intercession of the Kings Mistress, newly made Dutchess of Beaufort, who offer'd to obtain honourable Conditions for him, provided he would bestow his only Daughter in Marriage upon her eldest Son, who by the Courtiers was called Caesar-Monsieur. He did not reject this Proposition; but his Wife (Mary [month April.] de Luxembourg-Martigues) a proud and haughty Princess, could not condescend. Her Husband notwithstanding knowing what power the Ladies had with the King, sent her before-hand, and charged her to offer the said Daughter to him, to be dis∣posed of in favour of that Prince as best pleased him.

Both of them hoped this Lure would dispose the Dame to render them the good Offices they stood in need of, and that afterwards they should find means to delay the accomplishment of their Promise, during which, time might bring forth some fa∣vourable occasion to change the Scene, or turn the Tide another way. But this Dame, as crafty as themselves, made no great haste to serve them, but on the contrary would let them know her intercession only could save them. When therefore the Dutchess of Mercoeur presented her self one Morning at the Gates of Angers, she was rudely turned back, and forced to retire to Pont de Ce: but when her Pride thus humbled, had taught her to refer her self wholly to the will of the fair Dame, she was the very same day sent for, and the King soon moved with the Tears of that obliging Sex, and very ready to grant what his Mistress re∣quested, allowed the Duke an Edict almost as honourable as he could have expected when his power was greatest.

For having taken care in the Preface of it to excuse him, though after his Recon∣ciliation with the Pope, nay, even after the coming of the Legat into France, he had not submitted to him, supposing he acted in that manner for some reasons that respected the preservation of Bretagne, which must have run the hazard of being in∣vaded by Strangers, whilst the Forces of France were employ'd upon the Frontiers of Picardy: He declared,

That he held him, and all those that had follow'd his Party, for good and faithful Subjects, restored them to their Estates and Com∣mands; Revoked all Judgments given against them; Confirmed all such as had been made by the Members of Parliament and Presidial Courts of that Party. [Year of our Lord 1598] Moreover he gave the Duke Two hundred thirty six thousand Crowns Reparations [month April.] for his Warlike Expences, and Seventeen thousand Crowns Pension; Besides this a permission to sell of the Corn that was in store to the value of Fifty thousand Crowns; The keeping of the Castles of Guingamp, Montemort, and Lamballe▪ Pass-ports for the Spaniards who lay in the River of Nantes to retire; and power to keep the Places and Forces he then had, till a Month after the Verification of this Edict;

Not to mention several other the like Conditions as those granted in the Edict for the Duke of Mayenne.

The Price of so honourable a Treaty was his Daughter, whom the King in few days betrothed to his Son Caesar. He had legitimated and enriched him with the Dutchy of Vendosine, to be by him held with the same Rights and Advantages as the preceding Dukes had enjoy'd, and with a promise to give him within four years wherewith to redeem all its Lands that had been alienated. Which the Parliament verified, without drawing any consequence for such other Lands as were of the Kings Pa∣trimony, which by the Laws of the Kingdom were re-united to the Crown from the moment he attained it. The Treaty made, the Duke of Mercoeur came to Angers to salute the King, who received him as his Sons Father in Law. The Contract for this future Marriage was sealed in the Castle belonging to the said Town, and the Fian∣cailles, or Betrothings were celebrated in the same place, with as much Pomp as if he had been a Son of France. The Cardinal de Joyeuse not disdaining to perform the Ceremony.

From Angers the King descended to Nantes, and from thence went to Renes, where the Estates of Bretagne were held. He fojourned about two Months in those two Cities, employing that time in putting every thing in good order for the quiet and se∣curity

of the Province, and collecting Twelve hundred thousand Crowns, the greatest part whereof was given him by the Estates of that Country.

Whilst he was at Nantes he finished the business of the Huguenots. Their Depu∣ties being come to him at Blois, he made them follow him thither, and had put them off till after his Treaty with the Duke of Mercoeur. That Treaty being perfected, he would yet have made some further delay, but they press'd it so home that he could scarce find any reasonable Excuse; And besides he apprehended lest their despair should in the end put them upon some undertaking that might retard the Peace with Spain, and give the Leaguers a plausible pretence to re-unite and take up Arms again. This Consideration, above any thing else, obliged him to grant them the Edict, which from the name of that Town, is called the Edict of Nantes.

[Year of our Lord 1598] It contains Ninety two Articles, which are almost the same as those in the foregoing Edicts granted to them: but it is more advantageous, in that it opens them a Door to Offices of Judicature and Finance. There were added fifty six other Articles which are called Secret, the most important being that which left them several Places of Se∣curity, besides all those they already held. This Edict is that Safe-guard under which they have lived to this very hour in security and quiet, and freely enjoy'd the Exercise of their Religion. The King durst not send it to the Parliament to be veri∣fied, till the Legat were out of the Kingdom, so that it came not thither till the fol∣lowing year.

They labour'd incessantly at Vervins about the Peace, the French did not insist so much now on Cambray, although they had not yet passed by that Article. The Arch-Duke impatient to consummate his Marriage with the Infanta Clara-Eugenia, hastned as much as possible he could the grave pace of the Spaniard, and obliged his Deputies to step over many trivial things. Had it not been for the Allies of France, the Treaty had been finished in less then three weeks. The King demanded a two Months Cessation of Arms for them, that they might send their Ambassadors, the Spaniards refused it absolutely; and upon this Contest, the violent Spirits belong∣ing to eithers Court, the chief Commanders of their Armies, and those that desired troubled Waters, did not fail to press for a Rupture with all their might and interest, but it availed nothing, the two Princes were of a contrary disposition.

In the mean time the English Ambassadors arrived at Court, which as then was at Nantes: they did not shew themselves much averse to the Peace, for the difficulties did not concern them, but the States, from whom they had Orders not to separate. Now those would have none at all: knowing too well the Peace could not be made without some prejudice to their liberty, for which they had fought almost thirty years, and without which they neither valued their Estates nor Lives, chusing rather, therefore, to hazard all then to lose the Recompence of so much Labour, Blood, and Treasure. One thing besides confirmed them yet more in this generous Resolution, which was a Dispatch they intercepted coming from the King of Spain, which gave his Deputies Order not to comprise them, unless upon Condition to restore the Roman Religion over all their Country, to reduce it to an absolute Obedience, and fill up all Offices with Catholick Magistrates.

[Year of our Lord 1598] Whereupon there were no Efforts, no Offers but they made to the King to per∣suade [month April.] him to continue the War: he was gone on too far not to finish the Treaty, and sent to his Deputies to conclude it, provided they could first obtain the Cessation of Arms for his Allies, which had been so earnestly demanded; and promised the English that he would not Ratifie it till forty days after his Deputies had Signed it.

[month May.] Now they did Sign it the Second day of May, and on the Twelfth they put it into the hands of the Legat, praying him to keep it secret till the two Months of the Cessation were expired. And yet the King made no scruple of publishing it to the Estates of Bretagne, telling them he was going into Picardy to carry the Ratification himself. In effect he went away with that design, having first given the Government of Bretagne to the little Duke of Vendosme, upon the surrender of the Duke of Mer∣coeur his Father in Law: but an indisposition befell him on his way which constrained him to return to Paris.

The Queen of England unable to prevail with him to allow one Month beyond the forty days, wrote to him of it with Reproaches, and in terms which accused him of unthankfulness. The English declaimed most outrageously in the Court of France against his proceeding, and made their Complaints come to the Ears of all the Protestant Princes, the Hollanders behaved themselves more modestly. It was

endeavour'd to satisfie both the one and the others with weighty Reason of State, and with many examples of the like, and they were often-times exhorted to enter into the same Treaty by that Door which was left open for them.

This seems to have been done only out of good manners, for they knew well enough it was not their interest to come in; and perhaps some would have been much puzled if they had been persuaded to it. However it were, the Deputies of the latter sent the King word the term of two Months was too short to Assemble the Estates of all their Provinces, and the Queen of England made him understand she would not be divided from them.

Having, as he believed, therefore satisfied in every point of that devoir he owed to his Alliance, and his Reputation, he sent his Ratification to his Deputies about the end of May, the date in Blank, with order not to fill it up till the Twelfth of June, at which time expired the forty days granted to Queen Elizabeth. That day [month May.] the Peace was proclaimed at Vervins, and afterwards in all the Cities both of France and the Low-Countries, with such lowd Expressions of Mirth and Joy as resounded thorough all the Kingdoms of Europe, and gave no less terror to the Turks, then content to the greater part of Christians. [Year of our Lord 1598]

[month June.] The same four Lords whom the Arch-Duke gave as Hostages for the restitution of Places, viz. Charles de Crouy Duke of Arschot, Francis de Mendozze Admiral of Arragon, Charles de Ligne Earl of Aremberg Knight of the Golden Fleece, and Lewis de Velasco Grand Master of the Ordnance, serving as Ambassadors with Richardot and Verreiken, brought the Ratification to the King, and Witnessed his Swearing to the Treaty in Nostre-Dame the One and twentieth of June, there being present on be∣half of the Duke of Savoy Gaspard de Geneva Marquiss de Lullins, and Reonard Ron∣cas his Secretary of State. Reciprocally the Mareschal de Biron, Billievre and Sillery, did the same for the Arch-Duke at Bruxels the Six and twentieth of the same Month; and William de Gadagne Boteon at the Duke of Savoy's, who did not Swear it till the Second day of August at Chamberry. King Philip the Second Signed the Articles in∣deed, but being prevented by Death could not Swear to them with the same Ceremo∣nies as the rest of the Princes had done.

This is the Substance of the most Essential Articles.

The Treaty was con∣cluded conformably and in approbation of that of Cateau-Cambresis; of which and the precedent ones nothing was to be innovated, but such things as should appear to derogate from this same. If any Subject of either of these two Kings should go to serve their Enemies by Sea or Land, they should be punished as Infra∣ctors and Disturbers of the Publick Peace. Such as had been forced out of their Lands, Offices and Benefices, accompting from the year 1588. should be restored, however they should not enter upon any Lands of the Kings without Letters Patents under the Great Seal. In case the King of Spain should give the Low-Countries, and the Counties of Burgundy and Charolois to the Insanta his Daughter, she and her Territories should be comprised in this Treaty, without making any new one for that purpose. The two Kings should mutually surrender what they had taken the one from the other since the year 1559. viz. the Most Christian King the County of Charolois, and the Catholick King the Cities of Calais, Ardres, Mon∣thulin, Dourlens, la Capelle, and le Catelet in Picardy, as also Blavet in Bretagne, For security whereof he should give up four Hostages (these were the above∣named.) Both the one and the other reserving all his Rights, Pretensions and Actions, to what he had not renounced, but should not pursue, or prosecute the same but only by way of amity and Justice.

(This had regard to Navarre and [Year of our Lord 1598] the Dutchy of Burgundy.) It was likewise said;

That this Treaty should be Ve∣rified, [month June.] Published, and Registred in the Court of Parliament of Paris, Chamber of Accompts, and other Parliaments; and on the same day in the Grand Council, other Councils, and Chambre des Comptes of the Low-Countries.

The Interests of the Duke of Savoy were therein treated in such manner as we have related: There was nothing mentioned of the Duke of Florence, because he pre∣tended not to be in War, and said he had seized on the Islands of Marseilles only for satisfaction of certain Sums of Money owing by the King to him, and whereof they had stopp'd or diverted the Assignments; Add that d'Ossat was gone to Florence to [month May.] determine the said difference. In effect he did decide it the Ninth day of May, upon these Conditions;

That the Duke should render the Islands of If and Pommegues, and might carry thence his Cannon, Equipage, and Ammunition. For which the King should own himself his Debter for Two hundred thousand Crowns: That

good Assignments should be given him for it, and for Security of the said Payment twelve Notables of the French whom himself should nominate.

* 1.84 Thus were extinguished to the very last Spark, not only that Civil War the League had kindled in the Bowels of France, but likewise those Firebrands which that Faction had fetched in from other Countries; And this Kingdom being now in perfect quiet, had no more to do but by gentle degrees endeavour to repair the in∣finite damage they had suffer'd, and to recruit their Strength and Forces, half con∣sumed by so many ghastly Wounds, and so great an effusion of their best Blood.

The first discharge for the People and for the Kings Coffers, was to disband all they well could of those Armies then on foot. This Cashiering having filled the Woods and High-ways with a world of Robbers, the Prevosts had Order to scowre about the Countries to suppress them; And because many of them were brave Fel∣lows whose desperate condition put them upon this last shift, and made them bloody in their own defence, the King to take away this mischief, made a Declaration the Fourth of August,

Which did forbid the use of Fire-Arms to all sorts of People, excepting his Gentsdarmes, Light-Horsemen of his Guards, his Companies d'Ordo∣nance, and all Prevosts and their Archers, enjoyning every one to run upon and ap∣prehend [Year of our Lord 1598] all that should therein transgress; allowing notwithstanding the use of [month August.] Fowling-pieces to Gentlemen for their Sports upon their own Grounds.

The same Month the King being at Monceaux, the Treaty of Marriage was con∣cluded between Madam Catharine the Kings Sister, (aged near Forty years) and Henry Duke of Bar, Son of Charles Duke of Lorrain. Several difficulties in matters of Religion had held it in debate for above two years together. The Nuptials were defer'd till the beginning of the year following, the two Parties having but little sa∣tisfaction in being made a Sacrifice by their Parents to interest of State, against the sentiments of their Consciences.

The Ecclesiastical Discipline being much neglected during the time of War, the King allowed of an Assembly of the Clergy at Paris, the Deputies having confer'd together touching their Interests, Francis de Guesle Archbishop of Tours, was enjoyned [month September.] to make him some Remonstrances. He demanded the Publication of the Council of Trent, (excepting only such Heads as might infringe the liberties of the Gallican Church, and the priviledges of Soveraign Courts:) The re-establishment of Cano∣nical Elections, for Benefices having Cure of Souls; The revocation of Briefs of Nomination to such as were not vacant; as also those for Pensions granted to Laicks on those Fonds; Full liberty for the Clergy to enjoy their Revenue without any other obligation but that of doing their Functions; The Reparation of Churches and other Sacred Places; and the due observation of those Contracts the Clergy had made with the King.

His Answer was concise, grave, and full of excellent things: he told them he took their Exhortations in good part, but he exhorted them likewise to well doing, and to concur with him towards the Reformation of Abuses; That he had not occasioned them, but that he had found them, and that they must proceed gradually, as in all things of such great importance; That hitherto they had met with nothing but fair words, but he would give them good effects, and that they should find under his grey and dusty Coat, he was all Gold within; (By this he reflected on the breach of Faith, and Luxury of his Predecessors) That to each of their demands, he would return his Answers, as speedily as he could deliberate with his Council.

King Philip II. had not the pleasure of enjoying his Peace long, nor to see the so much desired Marriage of his Daughter, he dying at the Escurial the Thirteenth of September. He was Aged Seventy and two years, whereof he had Reigned two and forty and nine Months since the abdication of his Father. Philip III. his only Son, was then but in his Twentieth year, he left him all his vast Estates, excepting the Low-Countries, and the Franche-Comte, which he gave in Dower to his dear Daughter Isabella.

[Year of our Lord 1598] It was upon Condition,

That those Provinces should return to the Crown of Spain upon default of Heirs Male or Female; That if they fell to a Daughter, [month September.] she should not Marry without the consent of the Catholick King; That upon every Mutation, the new Successor should take a new Oath to preserve the Catholick Religion, and if he departed from it he should forfeit all his right to those Pro∣vinces;

That they should have no Commerce to the East and West-Indies; That the King reserved to himself to be the Chief, of the Order of the Fleece, and to place Governors and Garisons in the Citadels of Antwerp, Ghent, and Cambray, who should Swear to him and to the Princes of the Low-Countries.

A Hectique Fever had wasted this King for above fifteen Months, when the Gout seized him most cruelly upon the Eve of St. John: these Acid Humours bred Swellings and Imposthumes which broke out first on his Knee, then in divers parts of his Body, whence issued perpetual swarms of Lice, which could be no way pre∣vented. To this was joyned a perpetual Satyriasme* 1.85 which drained all his Strength and Blood with a most dreadful Prurience. The horrible stench proceeding from his Ulcers, and those loathsom Infects which eat him to the Bones, made the very Hearts of all that did but approach him ready to faint, but yet his own did not: he endured all these Torments with so marvellous a patience, and kept his Mind and Spirit in so staid and firm a posture to his last gasp, that they could hardly judge whether they beheld in him the greater Example of Humane Misery, or of Heroick Constancy.

In this ruinous Body crumbling away thus by piecemeal, his Judgment sound and entire, disposed yet of his greatest Affairs: and at the moment of being no more, endeavour'd to extend his Dominion to the future, labouring to draw up Counsels, Advice, and Memoirs to direct the Government of his Son. Many were found after his death, of which some stole into the publick Light; Vain and ambitious Care! Princes will Reign according to their own fancies, they seldom or never will believe their Predecessors; Therefore well may they imagine their Successors will [✚] as little believe them, or follow their Instructions.

He made his Will two years before his death: by a Codicil he enjoyned his Son to have the business of Navarre well examined, and to do right to the Heirs of John d'Albret if it were theirs. He said, his Father Charles V. had Ordained him to do the same by his Will: but his vast Employments had not allowed him time to think of it. At the end of this Codicil he added a Clause which destroy'd his former Order: It was, That they should not make the said Restitution or Reward, but in case it would be no way a prejudice to the Catholick Religion, or to the [Year of our Lord 1598] Tranquility of his Estates. Wherefore this Clog? Did he think to bargain with [month September.] God Almighty? At the same instant that this remorse of Conscience press'd him to restore his Neighbours Goods, his wicked Politiques interven'd and suggested these Subterfuges to detain them; Thus he became doubly guilty, first for not [☜] doing Justice himself, and then for recommending it to his Successors upon such terms as would be sure to hinder them from doing it likewise.

Before the news of his death arrived in Flanders, the Archduke was gone thence, having deposited the Sacred Purple in the Church of Nostre-Dame de Haux within two Leagues of Bruxels, and left the Government of the Low-Countries to the Cardinal Andrea of Austria, in the name of the Infanta Isabella who had there been owned for Princess. He passed by Tirol, whence he carried Margaret Daughter of the Archduke Charles (who was dead) and the Widow, his Mother, to Ferrara. They were received very solemnly, and Pope Clement, who had been in that City from the Eighteenth of May, celebrated the Marriage of King Philip III. with Margaret, and of the Archduke with the Infanta Isabella, Albert being Proxy for the King of Spain, and the Duke of Sesse for Isabella. The new Queen and the Archduke did afterwards stay two Months in Milan, then in the Month of February of the following year, they embarqued at Genoa for Spain, where this double Marriage was Celebrated between the said Parties in the City of Valentia in the Month of April.

[month October.] A little before Mid-October, the King being at Monceaux, (an Estate which he had given to his Mistress) as he was beginning to enter upon a Diet, he fell ill of a retention of Urine attended with a higher Fever and frequent fits of fainting, which gave some apprehension that he was near his end: but the cause being re∣mov'd, he was immediately relieved, and left his Bed within two days.

His Mistress having thus seen her self so near the Precipice, did sollicite him eter∣nally to Marry her, and press'd him with the more confidence, as her tender care [month November.] and watchfulness express'd in this occasion, seemed to oblige him to make good his Promise; and really she was not unworthy of that Honour, setting aside some in∣conveniencies

might have ensued. Soon after the Cardinal de Medicis, being come to take leave for his return to Rome, the King discover'd to him the design he had to satisfie her, and intreated he would do him the good office to persuade the [month December.] Pope to dissolve his Marriage with Queen Margaret. The Legat answer'd, very coldly, that his Holiness had sent him into France for no other business but what con∣cerned the Peace, which having successfully mediated, he was now going to give an account to the Pope. The King repented he had discover'd his Heart so openly to [Year of our Lord 1598] one whom he perceived was no favourer of his design: and therefore the year after [month December.] when he sent Sillery to Rome, he enjoyned him expressly to assure that Cardinal all those fancies were dispell'd.

[Year of our Lord 1599] In the beginning of the year 1599. three or four illustrious Marriages filled the [month January, &c.] Court with Divertisements; First that of Madam Catharine the Kings Sister with the Duke of Bar, which was Celebrated on the last day of January, some while after, that of Charles Duke of Nevers with Catharine Daughter of the Duke of Mayenne, and that of Henry Son of that Duke with Henrietta Sister of Charles, and then that of Henry Duke of Montpensier and Henrietta Catharine, only Daughter of Henry Duke of Joyeuse, and Heiress of that rich House. The King the same year erected Aiguillon to a Dutchy and Pairrie in favour of the Duke of Mayennes Son.

The Duke of Bar had great repugnance for his Marriage to a Huguenot Princess, who besides was of Kindred in the third and fourth degree, and therefore stood in need of a double dispensation, the one for diversity of Religion, the other for Pa∣rentage: but the Duke his Father thinking to find great advantage in this Match, passed over all those Scruples of Conscience. The difficulty was to find a Prelat that would adventure to Celebrate this discordant Marriage: many whom they sol∣licited did flatly refuse it; the Archbishop of Rouen, Bastard Brother to the King, after a little intreaty, lent a helping hand, and tied the Nuptial Knot in the Kings Closet, and in his presence, thinking it unbecomming to deny so small a piece of Service to him who had so lately promoted him to so fair an Archbishoprick.

After the Solemnities of those Weddings were past, two unexpected changes gave the Court just cause of admiration; the one was of that same Henry Duke of Joyeuse who had newly Married his Daughter, the other of Antoinetta Sister to the defunct Duke of Longueville, and Widow of the Marquiss de Belle-Isle. The first, as we have formerly related, came out of the Capucins Covent, Anno 1592. Now being moved with his Mothers Tears, a Lady very devout, and very scrupulous, pressed by the summons of his own Conscience, peequ'd at some words utter'd by the King, and sollicited by the Popes secret Admonitions, (for he had given him dispensation to tarry abroad in the World but while the Catholick Religion should need his assi∣stance) he resolved to make good his Vow, and having sent his Mareschals Staff and blew Ribbon to the King, retired to the Capucins Covent in Paris. They were much amazed, three or four days afterwards, to see him in a Pulpit, where that Peniten∣tial Habit, and his Sermons much fuller of Zeal, then Learning, gave him more lustre in the opinions of the People, then either his Birth or Dignity had gaven him at Court.

For the Marchioness of Belle-Isle, one of the handsomest and wittiest Ladies of her time, having left Bretagne without communicating the design to any of her Relations, [Year of our Lord 1599] she went and cast her self into a Covent of Fucillantines newly instituted at Toulouze. [month May.] It was said, that a secret displeasure for that a Soldier whom she had employ'd to revenge the death of her Husband upon Kermartin, was Hanged, she not being able to obtain his Pardon, gave her so much distaste that she would never converse more with the World by whom she had been so slighted.

In the beginning of the year, Sillery being sent to Rome about the business of the Marquisate of Salusses, had Orders likewise to follicite the dissolution of the Kings Marriage. The hopes of having the Seals upon his return, was a powerful motive to make him act with all his might, for the Dutchess of Beaufort had promised she would get them for him, without any regard to the Interest of the Chancellor de de Chiverny, a good Friend to her Sister de Sourdis; believing she had done sufficiently for her by obtaining a Cardinals Hat for her eldest Son.

The first point of Sillery's Commission had not proved difficult but only for that Queen Margaret knowing very well, the King after he had repudiated her, would

Marry the Dutchess, gave notice to the Pope how for that very reason, she would never consent; And the Pope for the same cause had repugnance enough to it; For he did not see very well how he could Legitimate Children that were born in Adultery, and foresaw great troubles for the Succession of the Kingdom, for as much as the Princes of the Blood would never have agreed to it, and besides the Children that should have come afterwards, being born in lawful Wedlock, would have disputed it with the former. However the King importun'd him extreamly by his Agents, and it was to be doubted lest to go a shorter way he should make Process against Queen Margaret for Adultery, and do by her as Philip the Fair had done by his eldest Sons Wife.

[month April.] Thereupon, I cannot say what hand, (but certainly a very wicked one, although the Consequence were beneficial to the whole Nation) did not untie but cut the knot of all these difficulties. The Dutchess of Beaufort did never leave the King, and was gone with him to Fontainebleau, being big with Child: The Easter Holi∣days approaching, he desired she would, to avoid scandal, go and pass them at Paris, and lodge at Sebastian Zamets, that rich Partisan who owned himself Master of Se∣venteen hundred thousand Crowns. Now one Maundy-Thursday, this Fellow having taken a most particular care to treat her with such Viands as he knew were most agreeable to her Palate, it hapned that going to the Tenebrae* 1.86 at the Little Sainct Antoines, she fell into a Swoon; Immediately they bring her back to Zamets: but her illness increasing, she had no patience till they had removed her out of that cursed House. They convey'd her therefore to her Sister Sourdis; and there was [Year of our Lord 1599] she taken with such violent and strange Convulsions, that she died the next day. [month April.] The King who was coming from Fontainebleau, upon the news of this accident, being informed of her death at Ville-Juif, turned short back again with what grief we may imagine, but which was soon dislodged by a fresh Engagement.

After her death she appeared so hideous, and her Visage so disfigur'd, none could behold her without horror. Her Enemies from thence took an occasion to make the People believe it was the Devil had put her into that sad and dismal plight, assirming she had sold her self to him upon condition she should alone engross all the Kings fa∣vour. They made the like Story of Louysa de Budos, Wife of the Constable de Montmorency, who died this year with the same Symptomes; and true it is, there was in either of their deaths, not really the operation, but the instigation of him who hath been a Murtherer from the beginning.

The Pope believed it was a favour granted by Heaven in answer to his Prayers: so soon as he heard the news, he became very inclinable to dissolve the Marriage of Queen Margaret. This Princess keeping her self still shut up in the Castle of Ʋsson in Auvergne, having been parted from her Husband almost fourteen years, had hi∣therto denied to give her consent: but after she was acquainted with the news of this Ladies death, she sent her Petition to the King, desiring she might be permitted to Address her self to the Pope, to demand, He would pronounce the Nullity of her Marriage, since there having never been any mutual consent, but a manifest compul∣sion, besides the diversity in Religion, and Parentage in the third degree, and for that the dispensation which was necessary upon those two Heads, having never been demanded by the two Parties, nor notified in due time and form as they ought to have been, it was Null.

The King allowed her Applications to the Pope; who having read her Petition which contained these Reasons, and likewise one from the King which tended to the same purpose, named the Cardinal de Joyeuse, Horace de Monte a Neapolitan Arch∣bishop of Arles, and Gaspard Bishop of Modena Nuncio for his Holiness, to Judge of this Affair upon the place, telling them that if the Allegations were true they were to part the Married couple. These Judges having therefore examined the proofs which were produced on either side, Declared the Marriage nul and not valu∣ably [Year of our Lord 1599] contracted, and permitted the Parties to re-Marry elsewhere. The Proceedings [month April.] carried to Rome, the Pope confirmed the Sentence the more willingly as having been put in hopes the King would chuse a Wife amongst his Relations.

As soon as the Legat was gone forth of the Kingdom, the Assembly of the Hu∣guenots which still held good at Chastelleraud, pressed more instantly the Verification

of the Edict of Nantes. Besides that the thing in it self had many difficulties, the Clergy made their opposition in Parliament; and in that numerous Company there were many more for rejecting, then for receiving it. It was observed that such who had been formerly most zealous for the League, pleaded now most earnestly for the Verification; which was because they had found by experience, that in matters of Religion, any violent methods destroy much more then it can edifie. A long time were they Haranguing pro and con, upon this so important a Subject: but the King having sent for them, did in his turn Harangue them so effectually, adding the force of Authority to the power of Persuasion, that they in fine obey'd and Verified the Edict.

Many being herewith discontented, a favourable opportunity presented to stir up the People. One named James Brossier who was a Weaver of R••morantin, had a Daughter named Martha, aged Twenty years, who tormented with Vapours from the Spleen, was put into most extraordinary Motions and Postures, as Saltations, Contortions of all sorts, Cries that imitated the Voices of several Animals, foaming, and lolling out her Tongue, and sometimes speaking inwardly like the Engastromites, or Ventriloqui, in so much as it was very easie for him to make the Populace believe she was possessed. With this Get-penny, leaving his own home, he strowled about the Country under pretence of carrying her on Pilgrimage, or to find out some Exorcists that might deliver her. The Bishop of Orleans and the Canons of Clergy had hunted her out of their Territories, and Miron Bishop of Angers had sent her packing from his Diocess, guessing by many particulars he had observed, that it was only some Natural Distemper, with an addition of Studied and long practised Im∣postures [Year of our Lord 1599] : [month April.] the Father however must needs bring her to Paris, where there are al∣ways [ ☞.] so many various minded People, that nothing can be so extravagant but some will be infatuated, or for their profit will endeavour to infatuate others.

The honest Capucins seized first on this possession, and began to Exorcise her in the Church called Saincte Geneviefve. The Cardinal de Gondy Bishop of Paris was not light of belief, but by Advice of a great Assembly of Ecclesiasticks whom he called together in that Abby, chose five famous Physicians to examine what it might be. After several Scrutinies three of the five made their Report to him, that there was very little of the Devil in the Wench, but a great deal of Artifice, and indeed somewhat of a Distemper: for her Tongue was mighty red and swoln, and they did hear some kind of a ratling noise in her left Hypocondrium. A fourth, by name Hautin, would declare nothing positively, but said, according to the Senti∣ment of Fernelius, they must wait the trial at least three Months; Duret was the only Man who maintain'd she was possess'd. His great Reputation gave them the confidence to call in other Physicians; These were of his opinion, and thereupon they once more open the Scene. The People ran thither in Multitudes and with Emotion, great heats there were for and against it; and it was to be feared lest this Oracle should give some Seditious Answers, unless they made good haste to stop her Mouth. The Parliament therefore put the Possessed into the hands and guard of Lugoli Lieutenant Criminel, and the Kings Attorney in the Chastelet for twenty days together, and in the mean time appointed eleven Physicians of the most famous of that Faculty to visit her. These made their Report they could discover nothing which was above the power of Nature. The Preachers notwithstanding cry'd aloud they undertook upon the Jurisdiction of the Church, and stifled a miraculous Voice, which God had sent amongst them to convince the Hereticks. The Parliament was fain to use their Authority and impose Silence upon them; and as for Martha they gave Order to Rapin Prevost de Robe Course, to convey her back to R••morantin, and there leave her in the custody of her Father, with command she should not stir out of that Town without express leave from the Judge of the place, upon pain of Cor∣poral Punishment to either of them.

The Comedy did not end for all this: Alexander de la Rochefo••caud Abbot de Sainct Martin, and Brother of that Count de Randan who was slain at the Battle [Year of our Lord 1599] of Issoire and of Francis Bishop of Clermont afterward a Cardinal, stole away this [month April.] wretched Creature, by advice of the Bishop, as was guessed, and carried her to Avignon, then to Rome, fancying she would act better on that grand Theatre, and that he should find more credulity in that place which is the Spring head of Belief. But the Agents of France having already pre-possessed the Pope and all that Court

with the fear of offending the King, those Friends by whom he thought to be there supported, failed him, and he could meet with none that would believe a thing so contrary to their interest. Therefore finding himself mistaken, he was forced by Letters humbly to beg pardon of the King; and soon after fell sick and died of Grief, as it was said, for having gone so far to be despised. Martha and her Father forsaken of all the World, had now no other refuge but an Hospital.

The Reader will not be displeased if I mention three very great Rarities which were observed in three several Persons this year. The one was in Gaspard de Schomberg, who had served the King very successfully in his Armies and in some Ne∣gociations. He was from time to time troubled with sudden and great difficulty of breathing: coming one day from Conflans to Paris, being near St. Anthonies Gate, he was in a moment seized with this difficulty, and lost both his Respiration and Life. The Chyrurgeon that open'd him to search the Cause, found the left side of that Membrane called the Pericardium, which encompasseth the Heart, and serves as a Bellows to refresh it, was turned into a Bony Substance, so that it hin∣dred Respiration.

The second was, that in the Country of Mayne was seen a Peasant named Francis Trouillu aged Thirty five years, who had a Horn growing upon his Head, which began to appear when he was but Seven years old. It was shaped almost like that of a Ram, only the Wreathings were not spiral, but strait, and the end bowed inwards toward the Cranium. The fore-part of his Head was bald, his Beard red, and in Tufts, such as Painters bestow upon Satyrs. He retired to the Woods to hide this monstrous deformity, and wrought in the Cole-pits; The Mareschal de Laverdin going one day a Hunting, his Servants spying this Fellow who fled, ran after him, and he not uncovering himself to salute their Master, they tore off his Cap, and so discover'd his Horn. The Mareschal sent him to the King, who bestow'd him upon some body that made Money by shewing him to the People. This poor Fellow took it so much to Heart to be thus Bear-led about, and his shame exposed to the Laughter and Censures of all the World, that he soon after died.

The third Curiosity is the Daughter of a Country Smith of Conflants, a Bur∣rough upon the limits of Poitou and Limosin, who was three whole years without eating or drinking; which proceeded from a Relaxation of the Aesophage, after a [Year of our Lord 1599] great fit of Sickness, in so much as this Maid could not swallow any thing, but had a [month April.] horrible aversion for all sorts of Meats and Drinks. Neither did she void any Ex∣crements, her Belly was quite flat, there was nothing but a kind of Parchment Skin covering her Sides, she was very cold to the touch in every part of her Body, excepting near her Heart: but otherwise her Arms and Legs were pretty fleshy, her Breast plumpish, her Visage passable, Hair long and thick, walked to and fro without trouble, and did all manner of work in the Family as well as any other. Now after she had remained three years in this condition, some Physicians going thither with Orders from the King to bring her to Paris, and her Friends advising her that she might thereby avoid such trouble, to endeavour to swallow something, she forced down some Broath; which having with difficulty for the two or three first times assayed, she found good in it, and by this means open'd the Conduits of Nourishment, and by little and little brought her self to the eating of solid Viands. The like had formerly hapned Anno 825. to a Girle under the Empire of Lotaire▪ after she had been three years without swallowing any Food.

In these years a new and very odd kind of Distemper over-spread Potukia, a Province of Poland, bordering upon Hungary, whence it extended thorough all those Countries. It hath its seat in the Hair, which it twists together in one, or two Locks, and at first causes no inconvenience, but in some space suppurates and breeds an infinite of Vermine, and if they cut them off, that acid and fuliginous humour which so entangleth them, flows back upon all the parts of the Body, and begets cruel Pains, Contortions, Dislocations, Ulcers, Exostosae, and all the strangest Accidents imaginable. Physicians have given it the name of Plica, be∣cause it hath such effect upon the Hair, and that of Cirragra, as being a kind of Gout, which begins by that odd kind of weaving.

A Peace being made, the Grandees of the Kingdom were but little consider'd in the Administration of Affairs: the Council composed all of Men of the Quil, de∣sired to bring them lower that they might stand on equal ground. Those that had been of the League were so well treated as to have no just cause of complaint, but rather gave a jealousie to the others. As for the Duke of Mayenne, otherwhile their Head, being ruin'd both in his Estate and Credit, he lived meanly, and af∣fected to appear yet poorer then he was, knowing his want of Power and Riches was now his only security.

But divers of those that had served the King, taking themselves to be ill used, absented yet more from him, then he was alienated from them. The most discon∣tented were the Mareschal de Bouillon, the Duke de la Trimouille, the Constable de [Year of our Lord 1599] [month April.] Montmorency, the Duke of Montpensier; More then these yet, the Duke d'Espernon and the Mareschal de Biron. This last more bold and confident then the rest exhal'd his discontents by odious complaints, and vauntings not to be endured. He could speak well of no body but himself, which was his Eternal Theme and Entertain∣ment: He exalted himself above the greatest Captains, it was he alone that had done all; there was no Place or Dignity he did not think beneath his Merit; Nought but the Soveraignty could satisfie him, and he would Crown himself with his own hands.

Too great applause had corrupted this brave Courage, the King himself had praised him too much, had raised him too high. After the loss of Dourlens and Cambray, the Nobless and the Soldiery all cast their Eyes upon him only, as both the Sword and Buckler of the State; At his return from the Siege of Amiens he was intoxicated by the fondness of the Parisians; and when he went into Flanders to Wit∣ness the Archdukes Swearing to the Peace, the Spaniards knowing his Vanity and ill disposition, gave him such lofty Elogies, as filled his Head with Air and Vanity, and his Heart with wicked Thoughts and Sentiments.

From that time, nay even before, he sought and courted the favour of the Po∣pulace, affected for the Catholick Religion a Zeal that proceeded even to Beads and [month May and June] Confrairies, as if he would again set up that League his Sword had beaten down. This year in the Month of May, having made a Journey into Guyenne, he there re∣galed the Nobility with Feasts, Presents, and Caresses, held private Conference with such as had most Credit in the Province, and behaved himself after such a manner, that the King apprehending some Disturbance there, descended to Blois, [month June, &c.] and set a Report on Wing that he would pass on to Poitiers, thereby to prevent many who might have engaged themselves in his Contrivances. He was yet there when the news of the Duke of Savoy's Voyage obliged him to return to Fontai∣nebleau.

During his abode in that Country, Philip Hurat Chiverny Chancellor of France, who had desired leave to go and see his House of Chiverny, did there fall sick and died the Nine and twentieth day of June. He stood much upon his Nobility, and did as much affect the Quality of Earl and of Governor of Orleannois and Blesois, as that of Chancellor, which he had held twenty years. His Posterity, as almost all those that attain great Fortunes at Court, sunk in a short time.

Pompone de Bellievre succeeded him in that great Office, and at first began with two things which were most necessary, viz. a severe Edict against Duels, and a Rule that none should be admitted to the Office of Master of Requests till he had been ten years in the Soveraign Courts, or twenty in some Court Subordinate.

[Year of our Lord 1599] [month June, &c.] This new Chancellor, Villeroy Secretary of State, Sillery President in the Parlia∣ment of Paris, Jannin in that of Burgundy, and the Marquiss de Rosny Sur-Intendant of the Finances, had the greatest share in the Administration of Affairs. The last governing the Purse, had great advantage over the others; besides the King made himself more familiar with him, and consider'd him as a Creature he had raised, and one that had never held any Party but his own. And indeed, he was shaped every way to his humour, and very fit to manage that Office as he intended it should be. For besides that he was indefatigable, thrifty, and a Man of great order, he was rough in denial, impenetrable to Prayers and importunities, and with both hands greedily scraping Money into the Kings Coffers. To this purpose he received all manner of Proposals, the easiest he made benefit of in his time, and the refuse was left to glut the following Reign. He made thorough inquisition after such Money as had been mis-employ'd, and wherever that lighted he fell upon the great as boldly as

the little ones, took the hatred and blame of all denials or disappointments upon himself, stopt his Ears at their Complaints or Reproaches, not minding any other thing, but where to raise new Fonds from day to day.

Hereby did he become most necessary to the King, and got into his favour more and more. He often shewed him a just state of Receipts and Payments in every Concern distinctly; as likewise the Projects of such Expences as were to be made; and the Inventories of all the Arms, Ammunition, and Cannon in his several Places; all by Summary Abridgments, to give the more gusto in perusal and inform him without tiring him. For he knew very well that the King being of a ready and quick apprehension, could not dwell long upon any one particular, neither in Reading or Writing, nor endure any tedious Discourse or Reasoning.

Those that had managed the Revenues, or Finances, had put things in a most hor∣rible disorder and confusion, and the Expences in the Civil War had drained them so low, that it was almost impossible to remedy them by the ordinary ways. The King was charged with Six Millions of yearly Rents and Pensions, above five Millions Sa∣lary for his Officers of Justice and the Treasury, with Petitions of an infinite number of brave Soldiers, Officers, Gentlemen, and Lords, who prayed some for Rewards, others for some Benevolence and Charity, that they might at least subsist. It would there∣fore have been but reasonable if for a time they had exceeded the bounds of the com∣mon methods, to repair these Disorders, were it not that such Examples remain even after the necessity is over, and that a Tax or Charge once imposed turns to a com∣mon Right or Claim. [☜]

[Year of our Lord 1599] That they might bring the Revenues into the grand Channel of the Exchequer, or Espargne, he studied in the first place to open all the Springs from whence they were to slow, and stop up all by-leaks which made them drop aside and lose themselves. Most enormous abuses were committed upon the levying of such Moneys as were raised by extraordinary Commissions; and it was the custom of some of the Council to procure very easie Adjudications that they might share in the profit: As to the former, he order'd the Receivers to make Receipts for these as for the other; and as to the second, having found out that the Sub-farms, amounted to twice as much, as the ge∣neral Adjudication, he tied up the hands of the Principal Farmers, and caused the whole to be brought into the Treasury. As to the remainder he soon made himself so much Master of the Council for the Finances, that he retrencht all the little Tricks and Projects, and made it apparent to those grand Statesmen, that to discharge his Office there was no need of so great Politiques and Craft, but only to be diligent and laborious, and both know how to add and to substract.

The Kings clearest Revenues were alienated or engaged to the greatest Lords, he assigned their payments on the Espargne or Exchequer, and restored all these Alie∣nations to the Kings, who made them treble the value. He likewise abolish'd all those Levies they had setled for their own profit, without any other Authority but the Li∣cence of a Civil War. He also caused all such Priviledges to be revoked as had been granted for above thirty years; together with all Patents of Nobility from the said term. King Henry III. had sold a thousand in Normandy alone: and it was said, that under colour of that profusion, others had traded for above double that number. Those Gentlemen of Parchment were allowed the Exemption they had enjoy'd during all that time, for their re-imbursement. Then was the famous Priviledge called The Franchise of Chalo Sainct Mars, utterly abolished.

After these Revocations, he sent Commissioners into the Provinces to regulate the Tailes. And because the open Country was much destroy'd, he was constrained to lessen them about Six hundred thousand Crowns, and to remit all Arrears to the year 1597. which amounted to above twenty Millions. As well, it would have been im∣possible to have raised them; and then it was not so much a loss to the King, as to the Receivers who had advanced one part of it, and those Captains and Lords who had Assignments on the other. They cancell'd all the Obligations the Debtors had given to the former, and revoked the Assignments of the latter.

His design was, said he, to take off all the Tailles, to this purpose to dis-engage the Kings Demeasns, in which he labour'd very much, and so supply what more should [Year of our Lord 1599] be wanting by an Augmentation of Imposts upon Wares. These happy thoughts, whether really intended or not, were very sutable to the Kings great goodness, who

[ ✚.] in effect cherish'd his People as his Children, and was much more fearful of oppressing them, then desirous to fill his own Coffers.

Any other way but that of Arbitration would have better pleased the Duke of Savoy. He would willingly the Spaniards had undertaken his defence: and although he had already experimented at the Treaty of Vervins they had not over-much zeal for his interests, he omitted not to solicite them and to give them great Respect: but when they had made him know, they would not engage their young King in a War for love of him, he thought it might do well to inform the Pope with the Reasons he had for detention of the Marquisate. Francis d'Arconnas Count de Touzaine his Ambassador in the Court of Rome, and Sillery who was there in the same Quality for the King, gave in an Abstract of their Titles: whilst those were under examination, the King demanded as having been disseized, he should be restored before all other Proceedings; and the Duke replied that the said Maxim of Right had place between private Men, not amongst Potent Princes, as the King was, to whom if they should once adjudge the possession, he would never quit or surrender it again.

Upon this Sillery propounded an Expedient, viz. that the enjoyment should rest in the Duke till a definitive Sentence, provided he would hold it as a Feif Mouvant of Daufine. Arconnas not yielding to that, the Pope found out another, which was, that it should remain in Sequestration in his hands. The Patriarch of Constantinople (this was Calatagirone General of the Order of St. Francis, whom he had honoured with that Title) was enjoyned by him to propound it to the two Princes, and if they approved it, to demand a prolongation of the time agreed for Sentence, which was ready to expire. Both of them feigned to think well of it, and yet neither of them were really contented: for they feared lest the Pope, if he had it in his hands, should take a fancy to bestow it upon one of his Brothers Sons. Thereupon Ar∣connas, either with design to gain his friendship, or to fore-stall his Judgment, went and assured him on the behalf of his Duke, that if the Marquisate fell to his Master, he might dispose of it, to such of his Nephews as he should think fit. The Pope interpreted this Compliment a high injury to his Integrity, and from that time waved the Arbitration.

[Year of our Lord 1599] The Duke was not much troubled, he was setting other Engines at work in France by means of his Ambassadors. When he found they could not succeed to his wishes, he resolved to come himself; and because he knew his Council would not permit him to hazard thus his Person and Reputation, he order'd Roncas to write to him, that the King would be very glad to see him, though on the contrary he had told his Agents plainly, that unless he were disposed to render up the Marquisate, he would find little satisfaction in his Voyage. This Prince had so good an opinion of his own ability, and his Talent of Wit, which indeed were admirable, that he doubted not to gain the heart of the King and his Ministers by his subtil ingenuity, or over-persuade them by his Arguments and Reasons. In the Month of June was fought that famous Duel, betwixt Philipine his Bastard Brother, and the Lord de Crequy; Philipine was slain, and that sinister accident, (for he relied much upon the like presages) should have made him alter his Resolution: but another Omen seemed to promise he should reap something of his labour; which was, that in the Month of September all the Fruit-Trees in Savoy put forth their Blossoms which turned to Fruit in less time then an hour. So he parted from Chambery the first day of December with his Council, a Train of twelve hundred Horse, whereof he sent back the one half from Lyons, and great Riches in Moneys, Toys, and Jewels.

The Marriage of Queen Margaret being dissolv'd, the Kings Agents engaged him upon seeking for Mary de Medicis, Daughter to Francis in his life time Duke of Flo∣rence, [month October and November.] and Niece of Ferdinand Brother and Successor to that Francis: but in the interim his heart which was not wont to be long in freedom, was taken by the attractive Charms of Henrietta de Balsac, a pleasant, airy, witty, and engaging Virgin Lady; and indeed she came of a Race that inspired Love, for her Mother was that Mary Touchet who had been Mistress to Charles IX. and was after Married to the Lord d'Entragues, from whose Embraces this young Venus sprung. Her Parents desiring to make the best of such an opportunity, were very watchful, and kept her close, lest enjoyment should extinguish that bright flame of Love her Eyes had kindled in the Kings Breast. This she did so well second on her part, that in fine by her betwitching innocency and modesty, and by her inviting denials, she engaged him to give his promise he

would Marry her, if within that year she brought him a Son. Upon this assurance, and after a shower of Gold (worth a hundred thousand Crowns) he had his full liberty. He soon after gratified her with the Lands of Verneuil, and the Title of Marchioness.

We do not know whether for his honour we should believe he did intend to make good his word: but Sillery and the Cardinal d'Ossat, went so far on with their Treaty for Mary de Medicis, that they put it beyond his power to recall it. He therefore [Year of our Lord 1599] [month November.] sent Alincour Son of Villeroy, to Rome, under colour of returning thanks to the Pope for the justice he had done him concerning the business of his Marriage with Queen Margaret, and to acquaint him with that he desired to Contract in the House of Me∣dicis. After this Complement he intreated his Holiness to vouchsafe that Sillery and he might go to Florence to see the Princess and Negotiate that Affair, which was much more advanced then they discover'd to him.

It is incredible how much the Marchioness of Verneuil was vexed and afflicted to see her self fallen from the fairest hopes of a Crown, yet she dissembled it and hid her trouble under the borrowed countenance of content: but the Count d'Auvergne her half Brother, as much out of the Malignity of his Nature as Resentment, sought to revenge this injury, and joyned with the Malecontents we have before mentioned. These together conspir'd to coop the King up in a Prison, to rob him of his Crown, and give it to some other Prince of the Blood: Many have been of opinion the Duke of Savoy had a hand in the contrivance, or that at least having some hint of it, he had undertaken to come into France to try what advantage he might be able to reap thereby.

What ever design he had, he descended along the Rhosne by Boat to Lyons, and then from Rouane to Orleance. In this last place he was received by the Duke of Ne∣mours, upon his way betwixt that and Fontainebleau by the Mareschal de Biron, and two Leagues nearer by the Duke of Montpensier. At Pluviers he took Post a little [month December.] after mid-night, with seventy Horses in company, and arrived at Fontainebleau the Fourteenth of December about eight in the Morning, where he found the King just ready to mount his Horse to have gone and met him. After he had entertain'd him there for six days together with the Divertisements of Hunting, Gaming, and Pro∣menades, he took him to Paris upon the One and twentieth of the Month. He of∣fer'd him an Apartment in the Louvre, but the Duke giving him thanks, went and lodged at the Hostel de Nevers.

[Year of our Lord 1600] There is no Art, no Wyle of the ablest Politicks, or experienc'd Courtiers, but he made use of to succeed in his design; and this may be affirm'd, that if the end did not [month January.] answer his desires, yet his Conduct surpass'd his Reputation. He made Court to the King with great Complaisance, but without the least servility: for he accompanied his Respects with a becoming liberty, and the Submissions or Condescentions he tendred were of such a sort as did no way eclipse his Quality. One might observe a more then ordinary grace and grandeur in all his actions; He express'd a great esteem and kindness for all the Grandees of the Kingdom, gave a civil and obliging Recep∣tion [Year of our Lord 1600] to all the Kings Officers, entertained the Ladies with much wit and gallantry, and [month January.] shewed every where a Royal liberality. In his New-years-Gifts, especially, he made this Characteristique Vertue of a Prince most plainly appear, he bestowed rich Pre∣sents on the whole Court, who by the Kings permission accepted of them; and after so wonderful a profusion, which seemed to have exhausted all his Coffers, they were amazed to see him at a Ball he made, cover'd all over with Jewels, valued at above Six hundred thousand Crowns.

With all this he gained nothing of the King. Upon the very first Discourse he held with him, he found what condition his hopes were in: In the beginning he endea∣vour'd to lay open his Soul that he might gain some affiance, and after he had with much eloquence made all imaginable protestations of service and adherence, in∣treating him to receive both himself and Children into his protection, he fell a com∣plaining of the Spaniards, then propounded the Conquest of Milan and of the Em∣pire, and to make discovery of the Friends, the Intelligence, and the Means he had for that purpose. We may believe his Tongue was then guided by his Heart, for he was much picqued with the little regard the Spaniards had for his Interest at Ver∣vins; and besides his Wife, Sister to Philip III. (which was the only Link had ty'd

him to that Crown) died the foregoing year. However it were the King heard him attentively, and gave him thanks for his good will: but after all told him the restitution of the Marquisate ought to precede all those designs, and that they would consider the other Affairs when once this point was over.

Each time the Duke renew'd the charge, he was repulsed in the same manner. This inflexibility, so he called it, put him into amazement and despair, yet on his Face ap∣peared no symptomes but of inward satisfaction; as the King likewise on his part, continuing the civilities he owed his Guest, took care he should be diverted the most agreeably they possibly could. All the Grandees had the Bouquet* 1.87 to treat him each in his turn; and amongst the Singularities of France, the King led him to his Parlia∣ment, and to a hearing in the Grand Chambre, where a Cause upon a most extraor∣dinary Subject was pleaded, which gave full scope to the Clients Advocates to exer∣cise their Eloquence, as also to the Kings, his name being Lewis Servin. After the Pleading was over, the First President treated the two Princes most Magnificently at his own House.

Notwithstanding these demonstrations of a seeming amity, their humours as dif∣ferent [Year of our Lord 1600] as their Interests, maintained the discord of their minds, and so increased it, [month January.] that either of them sometimes let fall words mingled with discontent and bitterness. One day the Ambassador of Spain came to the Duke, and openly hit him in the teeth with a most bloody reproach, saying the King had assured him he was come purposely into France to persuade him to make a War upon Spain.

The Duke was offended in the highest degree with the King, but not daring to question him, designed to revenge himself upon the Mareschal de Biron (who as yet passed for) his Favourite. Being therefore one day a Hunting, he takes the Ma∣reschal aside, and begins to complain of the King in very sharp terms, with design Biron should take him up, and give him some occasion to draw his Sword. Biron, far from undertaking to justifie the King, began to rail much worse at him then the Duke, and having once let loose the reins of his impetuous Spirit, disclosed all his secrets, and made known there was already a Conspiracy formed to dethrone him. The Duke surprized and pleas'd at the same instant to hear of this which was above his hopes, immediately closed with the Party, offer'd all his assistance to the Con∣spirators, and even wrote into Spain to make them partakers of such good tidings. But perhaps they might be acquainted with it sooner then himself, and Picote have Negociated the thing with the Count de Fuentes, who was a Personal Enemy to King Henry IV. This Picote was a Native of Orleans, but an ill Frenchman, who fled to the Low-Countries; Biron had held him Prisoner at Aussonne, and there it was he first began to know him.

From this day, the Duke began to caress Biron extreamly, and to flatter his vain and ambitious humour. Knowing the too great Reputation of this Mareschal gave the King some Umbrage, he studied to praise him even to excess before his Face, on purpose to augment his jealousie, and picque him to let fall some disobliging thing against his valour and brave feats in War. In effect, he did force two or three very stinging Expressions from him, which straightway the Duke convey'd to the Mares∣chals Ears by Lafin, a double and dangerous Man, who having corrupted Biron by his flatteries, was a great Agitator in this intrigue, and made the Conditions between the Duke and the Conspirators.

After Twelfth-tide they notwithstanding went on to Treat of the Affair concerning the Marquisate, there being four Deputies on the Kings part, as many on the Dukes, the Patriarch of Constantinople also assisting: who had Orders from the Pope to use all his dexterity to dispose the King to leave that Territory to the Duke, so much he feared the Neighbourhood of the French might bring a War (perhaps Calvinism) into Italy. The Duke on his side made divers Propositions to the King, sometimes [Year of our Lord 1600] he demanded the Marquisate upon Homage for one of his Sons, then offer'd an ex∣change, [month January.] he propounded three several ones. The King would hearken to none, and persisted to have either a Sentence for Restoral, or the Sequestration in the hands of the Pope.

In fine the Duke approving neither the one nor the other, proposed to leave him the Marquisate in exchange for Bresse, comprising the City and Citadel of Bourg, Barcelon∣nete [month February.] with its Vicariat, even to Angentiere, the Valley of Sture, that of Perouse, and Pignorol with their Territories. The King accepted this offer: the Treaty was Signed the Twenty seventh of February, and they allowed the Duke three Months time to consult with the Lords his Subjects, and to have free liberty to chuse either the Re∣integrande,

or this exchange. Three or four days after he took leave of the King, who conducted him as far as Charenton, and left him the Baron de Lux, who accompa∣nied him thorough Champagne and Burgundy to the borders of Bresse.

This year, as all others which are the last of an Age in the Christian Aera, was named the Holy-year, because of the Jubile observed at Rome, with the Ceremonies his Holiness is wont to practise upon that great Solemnity. It being customary for such Ambassadors as are there to obtain Remission by offring an Almes, he from the King distributed amongst the poor two thousand pieces of Gold stamped with the Arms of France.

Amidst the great affluence of Pilgrims, whom either devotion or curiosity (for there were many Religionaries) brought to the said City, the Duke of Bar made one, but incognito. This Prince after his having lived like a kind Husband with Madam Catharine his Wife for six Months together, had suffer'd his Confessor to fill his Head with so many scruples of Conscience, that he left her, and took the opportunity of this Jubile to go and obtain his Absolution of the Pope, and a dispensation for the time to come. The Pope did flatly deny him the latter, unless Catharine would be∣come a Convert, and for the first he so terrified his timorous Conscience, that he promised never to cohabit with his Wife, but repudiate her unless she would become a Catholick. Upon this protestation he was privately restored to the Communion of the Faithful, for to have been admitted publickly, the transgression being publick, he must have undergone a Pennance that was so. Two smart words from the King would have made the Court of Rome step over all these difficulties, and joyned him again to his Wife; for want of this courage, the poor Princess did for a while live as a Widow in the midst of Marriage.

In the Spring time the King being at Fontainebleau, was Spectator, and in a man∣ner Moderator of the dispute between James Davy Du Perron Bishop of Evreux, and Philip du Plessis Mornay. This last had compos'd a large Treatise against the Mass: [Year of our Lord 1600] the gravity of the Matter, the quality of the Author, the politeness of the Language, [month May.] and the force which at first appeared in his Reasonings, and those Authorities drawn from the Fathers, to the number of above four thousand, had acquired him a great deal of Reputation; and that Reputation had been mightily increased by the feeble attaques of all those that had undertaken to refute him.

The King had great interest and reason this work should be blasted, because many suspected he maintain'd and justified the Author, who in effect had served him very successfully both with his Pen and with his Sword. Now Du-Plessis himself gave him the occasion by his temerity. Du Perron who was in his Bishoprick of Evreux, bragg'd he would produce five hundred passages in his Book which were falsely al∣ledged, maimed, or alter'd. The Friends of Du-Plessis advised him to reply that if there were any such, he would forsake them, and stand to those that were not so, of which there yet remained to the number of above three thousand five hundred, but he too fond of his own labours, summon'd Du Perron by a publick challenge to joyn with him, and set his hand to a Petition for the King to appoint Commissioners to examine and verifie the Passages in his Book Line by Line. Du Perron did not flinch from it, and the King named five, viz. for the Catholicks the President de Thou, Francis Pithou Advocate, and John Martin Reader and Phisician to the King: for the Huguenots Philip de Canaye Lord de Fresne, and President at the Chamber of Castres, and Isac Casabon Regis Professor in the Greek Tongue. He had sent for this last to be an Ornament to his University of Paris: but some years after he went into England.

It was extream imprudence in Du-Plessis to undertake a Combat where the King and all his Court were Parties, and to venture his Honour and Credit upon the Faith of his Collectors; such People being ordinarily but little exact, not caring whether their materials be good, provided they can but furnish store enough. And likewise his acquaintance knowing his Quil much more fluent then his Tongue, desiring he would rather have continued to write then adventure to discourse, dissuaded him from entring the Lists with an Adversary whose Eloquence was a Torrent, and his Memory a Prodigy. Now whether it were presumption or want of fore-sight, he either would, or could not get out of this snare.

In the beginning the Popes Nuncio was much alarmed at this Conference, however the King making him understand it did not concern the truth of the Doctrine, but only that of his Quotations; he assented to it. The day appointed upon the fourth of May, the Bishop of Evreux consigned into the hands of the Chancellor the five hundred Passages, of which they were to take a certain number every day into exa∣mination; and the very evening before the dispute, he sent nineteen to Du-Plessis, [Year of our Lord 1600] which he would impugne. This was perhaps a Stratagem to stupifie him, and take [month May.] off the edge of his wit, by engaging him to study the whole night.

The King was present at this Combat with the Chancellor, some Bishops, the Se∣cretaries of State, and six or seven Princes. They could examine but nine passages that day. Du Perron having the truth, the King and the favour of the Assembly for him, had the advantage in all: he did not only overcome but overwhelm his Adver∣sary; who much weaker, amazed, and disfavour'd, defended himself so poorly, it made the Catholicks pity and his own despise him. The Judges pronounced that in the two first passages, he had taken the objection for the solution; as for the sixth and seventh, they were not to be met with in those Authors, whence he quoted them: upon the ninth that he had mis-translated Images for Idols, and in the rest had either omitted some words that were material and necessary, or had recited them but by halves.

The night put an end to the dispute. Du Perron pursuing his advantage demanded it might be continued the next day: but his Antagonist disordred with his over-watch∣ing the night before, and to say truth, with the shame of his ill success, fell sick and retired to Paris, and from thence to Saumur, without so much as taking his farewell of the King; leaving the Field to his Enemy, and a fair Subject for triumph to the Catholicks, and confusion to those of his own Party; which was soon after for∣saken by Fresne-Canaye. Du Perron had for Crown of this Victory a Cardinals Hat.

The University eldest Daughter of our Monarchs, being like the rest of the King∣dom, extreamly disfigur'd by the War, wanted to be reformed. The King at his return to Paris gave charge thereof to Renaud de Beaune Archbishop of Bourges his great Almoner; who having advised with the Deans of the four Faculties, the most able Professors, Proctors of the Nations, Principals of Colledges and the Rector, and viwed the Statutes and Reglements made 150 years before upon the like occasion by the Cardinal d'Estouteville, changed, added, and retrenched as was thought most [month June, &c.] expedient. The Parliament allowed of those Articles, and deputed a President and three Counsellors, who caused them to be openly read in an Assembly expressly con∣vocated at the Mathurins.

The Arch-Duke Albertus going to attaque the Prince of Orange who besieged Nieuport, had at the first a notable advantage over him, regaining the Fort Albert taken by Maurice and cutting off near a thousand Hollanders in the place; After which had he but fortified himself in the passage between Ostend and Nieuport, he would have forced them to surrender at discretion, or to have taken Shipping in [Year of our Lord 1600] such disorder, as must have given him opportunity to have charged and defeated [month July.] them. His Men were almost quite spent with lassitude and hunger, for the pre∣ceding day he had marched them from Maestric at one Stage, and the greatest part had scarce eaten a bit of Bread in four and twenty hours: but the heat of this good success led him out of his Post to fall upon the Hollanders. The Fight was very bloody, being very old Soldiers on either hand, and animated by the brave example of their Chiefs. The day began to decline when the Victory inclined towards Maurice; not but that his purchase was dear enough, for it cost him twelve hundred Men, but the Arch-Duke left near four thousand upon the place, all his Cannon, and a great number of brave Captains; Amongst others Colas formerly Vice-seneschal of Montelimar, and pretended Count de la Fere.

It is observed to the honour of Maurice, that he gained this Battle over an Al∣bertus of Austria, upon the same day, viz. the second of July, as another Albertus of the same House, had three hundred years before gained a Victory over an Adol∣phus of Nassaw, in a Plain near Spire, where he deprived him both of his Empire and Life. It was said the generous Blood of Nassaw had brought forth this Prince three Ages after, to be the Avenger of the most illustrious of his Ancestors.

[Year of our Lord 1600] The intention of the Duke of Savoy was not to stand to his Treaty at Paris, he pretended to have been compell'd by a just fear of being detained: and he flat∣ter'd [month March.] himself either that the King durst not attaque him by force, for fear of be∣ing look'd upon as a Violator of the Treaty at Verwins; or if he were assaulted he should be supported by the Spaniard, whose interest it was to employ all their Power to bar up the French-mens entrance into Italy, or that, in fine, if he should leave Paris, those Seeds of Conspiracy he had sown in France would disclose themselves. In effect, the King of Spain had commanded the Count de Fuentes to furnish Monies towards it, this Count had informed himself of it's Truth by the Spanish Ambas∣sador in Swisserland, and Roncas who had discoursed with Biron, disguised like Porters, yet nevertheless he refused to advance any thing unless the Duke of Sa∣voy would give him Montmelian and two other Places for Security of the Money; The Duke could never be brought to do that, and so the Count let slip a fair Occa∣sion for his Master's advantage.

As soon as he was arrived at Bourg the Fourteenth of March, he dispatch'd a Courier to the King to give him thanks for the Honour he had received in France. Being at Chambery the Four and twentieth of May, Bruslard Brother of Sillery, and the Patriarch of Constantinople, went to Summon him either to agree to the Restitution or the Exchange, since the time drew near. He refer'd them till he [month May.] should be at Turin, and from thence sent Roncas to demand a new delay; this was to give Bely his Chancellor time to compleat his Negociation in Spain. King Philip's Council, to make him the more obstinate in the Retention of the Marqui∣sat, assured him the young Prince would come and assist him in Person at the head of Fifty thousand Men: But these were but words; for the Duke of Lerma who [month May and June.] govern'd him, being no Martial Man, would be sure not to engage him in a rup∣ture, that would have disturbed his Favour, and consumed the Revenue, which [☜] he quietly disposed of during the Peace.

The Duke's delays, and the Discourses he held of the Severity they had shewed him in France, made it plain enough that he had no desire to execute the Treaty. Wherefore the King consenting to a Prolongation till the end of July, did not however omit to advance towards Lyons, that so his approaches might both ha∣sten the said Restitution, and at the same time the Preparations for War he was making to compel him. His Council who were much divided about this Enter∣prize, detained him above Fifteen days at Moulins, where he arrived at the be∣ginning of July; and in the mean time the Billets Doux, (or Love-Tickets) from [month July.] the Marchioness of Verneuil his Mistriss, and the Intrigues of the Ministers of his Pleasures, recalled him daily to Paris. That Lady passionately desired he would be at her Labour, believing if she brought him a Son; there might be some hopes yet to persuade him to perform his Promise. He was more than a little enclin'd to return and give her Satisfaction, when the hand of Heaven, if we may say so, broke the Charm, and set this Prince at Liberty: for one day after many violent Claps of Thunder, a Flash of Lightning breaking into the Chamber of the Mar∣chioness, and passing under her Bed, she was so horribly frighted, that she was presently deliver'd of a dead Child.

The Duke thought he should find contrivances enough to amuse the King till Winter. Roncas and the Marquiss de Lullins propounded the Restitution to him, but at the same time demanded the investiture of the said Marquisat for one of the Duke Sons; This demand was no better received from their Mouths, than it had been from the Dukes at Paris; and Roncas sent back to him again, was com∣manded to let him know the King's great dissatisfaction. On the other hand, Foffeuse whom the King at the same time dispatched to the Duke to know his ut∣most resolution, brought back word, That nothing was to be done, unless they [month July.] left out of the Treaty Savignan and Pignerol.

Roncas however returning some days after, assured that his Master intended to restore the Marquisat upon the Conditions expressed in the Treaty of Paris, which he, the Marquiss de Lullins, and the Archbishop of Tarantaise Ambassador in Or∣dinary, of that Duke, gave in Writing under their Hands. Upon that the King gave Commission to Bruslard and to Janin, to Negociate with those Three con∣cerning the Articles. When they had fully setled them, Roncas who had the Se∣cret, excused himself for signing them, till he had first shew'd them to his Duke: The King allows him some days too for this; but the Duke, who desired nothing but to gain time, instead of sending Roncas back to Lyons, sent only a Courier, who carried an Order the other two should Sign, but which was only Verbal.

[Year of our Lord 1600] These Deputies after they had Signed, started up some new Difficulties to spin it out yet longer: they demanded that the King, as the most Powerful, should first commence the Restitution, he satisfied as to that by offering them Hostages. They afterwards desired him to Name the Governor he meant to send to the Marquisat, for that in the Treaty of Paris, it was said, That he should place none there that was an Enemy to the Duke. To solve this difficulty, he named N. de Poisieux le Passage, whom the Duke could not reasonably suspect, being Brother in Law to Count de la Roque his Grand Escuyer, and immediately ordered him to March with Nine hundred men to go and take Possession of the Citadel of Carmagnoles.

The Articles agreed to by the Deputies, expressed that the Duke should render it the Sixteenth of August; The King doubted not of it, he was much astonished when he was informed he refused to ratifie them, and that on the Seventh of the [month August.] Month he had plainly declared, that the most Cruel War in the World would be more honorable to him, than the Execution of so Shameful a Treaty. He was therefore forced to recal le Passage: Nevertheless the Duke did again send the Patriarch of Constantinople to Lyons, to assure him he was disposed to Surrender the Marquisat, upon certain new Conditions which he had contrived. But it was now too late to shuffle, the King quite tyred with these Dedalian intricacies, had sent to declare War, and was advanced to Gren ble. The Patriarch came to him the Fifteenth of August, most carnestly to bes••ech him in the Name of the Pope, [month August.] not to rekindle that Flame again which his Holiness had with so much care ex∣tinguished: He received no other satisfaction, but only he assured him he desired nothing but to recover his own, and sent him to confer with his Council at Lyons.

It did not seem that he had Forces sufficient to undertake this War, and that was the thing which deceived the Duke of Savoy. Indeed he began it at first with not above Seven or Eight thousand Men at most, but he had given such good Or∣ders, that this Snow-ball encreased more than one half in very short time. He divided these Forces in two Bodies, the one to enter upon Savoy towards Cham∣bery, the other to fall into Bresse; This was Commanded by the Mareschal de Biron, and the other by Lesdiguieres, a great Commander for those Mountainous Countries. Rosny's Diligence provided so well for Ammunitions and Cannon, (ha∣ving convey'd them by Water) that in the end of July he had in those Parts forty Pieces of Cannon, and wherewith to make Forty thousand shot.

And indeed he omitted nothing in this Expedition to show himself worthy the Office of Grand Master of the Ordnance, wherewith the King had newly honoured him, having also Establish'd it an Office of the Crown. Two years before he had likewise given him that of Grand-Surveyor of the High-ways, know∣ing him to be careful and orderly, and that he would take great pains in repairing and maintaining the Roads for conveniency of Carriage, which in effect he per∣formed extreamly well.

In one and the same day being the Twelfth of August, Biron took and pillag'd the City of Bourg, by forcing his way thorow one of the Gates with a Petard; and Crequy seized on that of Montmelian. The Savoisiens suspected the Count de Montmajor who Commanded in the first, did betray it; some French on the con∣trary, imagined Biron had purposely given him notice of his Enterprize that it might miscarry: for 'tis certain that the former had put himself in a posture of Defence, standing to his Arms the whole Night, as if he knew of it, but then defended himself so poorly, that they had just cause, at least, to accuse him of Cowardize.

The Duke of Savoy believed he might sleep quietly upon the Security of this Fortress, and that of Montmelian; They were both accounted impregnable, the one because it was very regular, the other for its odd situation: for it stood upon a lofty Rock, very steep on every side, with Bastions not Mine-able, a Fosse, or dry Ditch, hewn out of the quick Stone, the Ground about it the same, and cover'd with pointed Mountains which seemed accessible to none but the winged Inhabitants of the Air; so that it was thought impossible either to make any Trenches, or to raise Batteries. This place was really well enough furnished, but the Governor, who was the Marquiss de Brandis of the House de Montmajor, wanted Resolution; The other on the contrary wanted almost every thing, especially Provisions: but in recompence was provided with a Comman∣der who was very brave and resolved to all Extremities. They called him the Chevalier de Bouvens.

[Year of our Lord 1600] The taking of the City of Bourg was followed with all those of Bresse and the Country of Bugey. Grillon with a Party of the Regiment of Guards seized on the Suburbs of Chambery; The King going thither in Person, the Count de Ja∣cob, [month August.] who Commanded in the City, capitulated to Surrender within Three days if it were not relieved: The fear of being Plundred, obliged the Inhabitants to anticipate the said term, and open their Gates the very next day. Miolans and Conflans made little resistance, the Floods of Rain, and difficulty of carrying their great Guns in a Country scarce passable for Carts, defended that of Charbonnieres near Fifteen dayes: But as soon as their Cannon had batter'd it in a place which seemed a Rock and was not so, it was taken by assault the Nineteenth [month Septemb.] day of September.

After this Success Lesdiguieres push'd directly to Sainct John de Maurienne, made himself Master of all that Valley to the foot of Mount Cenis. Then en∣tring into Tarantaise, made them bring him the Keys of Briancon, Monstiers, and Sainct Jaquemont. The report of these so sudden Conquests extreamly astonished the Pope: The Spanish Ambassador solicited him most instantly that he would interpose his Authority to stop the King's Progress: both these apprehended al∣most equally, not the Ruin of the Duke of Savoy, but that the French should have Passage to enter into Italy: The Pope was therefore over-persuaded to send his Nephew the Cardinal Aldobrandin to the King in the quality of Legate, with order to use all possible means to procure an accommodation.

It was much wondred at, in the mean while, that the Duke of Savoy did not go about to resist so Puissant an Enemy, but on the contrary past his time at Turin in Dancing and making Love, as if he had rested in the bosom of a profound Peace. We cannot tell whether he relyed on the intercession of the Pope, assistance from Spain, the effect of some great Conspiracy, or the event of some vain Predictions, which assured him, That in the Month of September there should be no King in France; which proved true, for he was then in Savoy. Now when he found that all these failed him, that the Citadel of Bourg was invested, that of Montmelian formally Besieged, and the Fort Sainct Catherine block'd up, he began to awaken and draw his Forces together.

He promised himself that the Citadel of Montmelian would hold out at least Six Months, believing the Heart of Brandis as well fortified as the place. In effect, that Marquiss did at first triumph in words, as imagining they could raise no Bat∣teries to Attaque him: But when Rosny had found the way to plant them in four or five places, (for what cannot Money, Ingenuity, and Labour bring to pass?) his Bravery sunk on a sudden: He permitted his Wife to hold Conversation with the Wife of Rosny, and his Fears encreasing every hour, he capitulated the [month October.] Fourteenth of October, to Surrender the Place upon the Sixteenth of November, if it were not relieved within that time.

Upon which Design the Duke parted from Turin with Ten thousand Foot, Four thousand five hundred Arquebusiers on Horseback, and Eight hundred Mai∣sires, [month October.] passed by the Valley of Aouste, and along the little Sainct Bernard, then came and encamped at Aixme. The King went to meet him as far as Monstiers, and had fought him, but for the great Snow which fell in the Night, and made a Barricade betwixt the two Armies. The Duke needed but have made a Di∣version towards Provence: But Four thousand Spaniards (lent him by Fu∣entes) refused to go any further than Sainct Bernards, and Albigny Lieutenant General of the Duke's Army, had much ado to make them stay there to guard that Passage.

Mean time the timidity of Brandis had so infected the Courage of his Soldiers, that there was no Spirit left amongst them. For some out of fear did precipi∣tate themselves from the Rocks to escape, and the rest could scarce endure to stand under their own Arms, and wanted even the Confidence to fire upon the Enemy. Nay more, Having suffer'd the French by small Parties to enter the Place, they were found to be so numerous, as to be able to Master them, and could have turned them out. So that having suffer'd himself to be reduced to this Condition, he was forced to anticipate the term of the Capitulation, and began to dislodge upon the Ninth day of November. [month Novemb.]

In the Place were found Provisions for above Four Months, Thirty Pieces of Cannon mounted, and Amunition enough for Eight thousand shot. He talked a long time with the King in the Cloister belonging to the Dominicans, and that same Night treated Rosny and Crequy with a Supper in his own House. He after∣wards

[Year of our Lord 1600] retired into France, where his Cowardize was opprobrious even amongst the most Cowardly, he took Sanctuary at Brandis in Swisserland, and some while after was apprehended at Casal, and carried Prisoner to Turim.

The Legate would not stir from Rome till the Ambassador of Spain had promis'd him in Writing, the King his Master should agree to such Treaty as he could make, and recall his Forces if the Duke proved obstinately contrary. Passing by Milan he got the like Writing from the Count de Fuentes, and the Duke whom he saw at Turin, promised to stand to what he should think convenient. His coming did not make the French put up their Swords: the King would not see him till he was Master of Montmelian, and the Five and twentieth of November, coming to Chambery to receive him, he refused to hear any thing of an accommo∣dation [month Novemb.] or a Truce: he only permitted the Dukes Deputies, (these were Francis d'Arconnas Count de Touzaine, and René de Lucinge des Alymes, Chief Steward of his Houshold) should salute him, then sent him to confer with Villeroy, and at the same instant went to the Siege of the Fort Saincte Catherine.

This Place and the Citadel of Bourg being all the Duke had left on this side the Mountains, the King was persuaded the taking of them would reduce him to de∣mand a Peace. Bouvens who was in Bourg, stood out resolutely both against his Proffers and his Menaces: But Peter Charrüe Governor of the Fort Saincte Ga∣therine, [month Novemb.] chose rather to follow the example of Brandis, than his: for three days [month Decemb.] after the Arrival of the King, viz. the Sixth of December, he capitulated to Sur∣render within ten days.

The City of Geneva having the King so near them, sent him two Deputies to implore he would continue the same Protection to them as his Predecessors. Theo∣dore de Beze the most ancient and the most renowned of all the Ministers of that Religion, deliver'd the Message, and in few words made him a Compliment wor∣thy of his Reputation.

Biron in all this War plaid a very ambiguous part: as he was most extreamly Vain, but withal engaged with that Duke, he desired Honor for his own share, and yet ill Success to the King; so that he could not forbear doing bravely and [month Septemb.] well, nor speaking basely and ill. In the Month of September being at Pierre-Chastel in Bugey, Laffin came to him, and by his order made to Journeys two Roncas. The King, who then was at Chambery, informed of this going and coming, and being jealous of some dangerous underhand Practice, sent for him, and gave him caution to Banish that pernicious fellow from his Society. He did not regard, as he ought to have done, this good advice, on the contrary he encreased the just Suspitions they had of him: for being under such Apprehensions as those still are that in∣intend Mischief, he went no more to see the King without a great crew of despe∣rate Fellows, and always lodg'd himself in some by-place.

There were two things exasperated this haughty Spirit, and made his discon∣tent swell to a perfect Rage; the one was, the King denied him the Govern∣ment of the Citadel of Bourg, which he requested for a Friend of his, when it should be taken: The other that he had not given him the sole Command in this War, as he had formerly at the Siege of Amiens, but equal'd or rather even pre∣fer'd Lesdiguicres above him, who was a Huguenot and his Enemy. In this fury he conceived an Enterprize upon the Person of the King, but soon after had a hor∣ror for it within himself and desisted: However he did not let fall the Practises he was engaged in with the Duke, and the Conde de Fuentes. Laffin under pre∣tence [month Decemb.] of a Voyage to our Lady of Loretta, departed about the last days of the year to go and conclude the Bargain he treated first at Ywreé with the Duke and the Ambassador of Spain in that Court, then at Turin with Roncas, and afterwards with the Duke and the Count de Fuentes at Some. Picoté who came from Spain [month December.] met them, and they there explain'd themselves more fully, and cleared all Diffi∣culties.

To repeat the whole substance of this Treaty in few words, as was since dis∣cover'd, they agreed to Dismember the Kingdom, make as many Soveraignties as Provinces, and shelter all these petty Principalities under the Protection of Spain. The Duke of Savoy for his part was to have taken, if he could, Lyonnois, Dausiné and Provence, and Biron the Dutchy of Burgundy, to which the Spaniards would have joyned the Franche Comté as a Dowry for a Daughter of their Kings, or one of Savoy, whom they promised to give him in Marriage. They were be∣sides engaged to furnish him with such Prodigious Sums of Money, that he might easily have guess'd by the excess of their Promises, they never designed to perform them.

[Year of our Lord 1600] It being impossible these things should be transacted so privately, but the King must know somewhat, and take notice of it, Biron moved rather by his Fears than any remorse of Conscience, approached him in the Monastery of the Corde∣liers at Lyons, and pretending a deep and sincere Repentance, confessed that the refusal of the Government of Bourg, had fill'd his Mind with Phrenetique thoughts and fancies; but Protested they were past away like Dreams and Shadows, and that if he had a Thousand lives, he would Sacrifice them every one to obtain his Pardon. The King was touched to the very heart with a kind of secret Pleasure to see he thus confided in his Clemency, that Vertue which he cherish'd above all others: he Pardon'd him without any reserve, and assured him, That he would give him so many tokens of his Affection, he never should have any cause to prove unfaithful.

A Pardon attended with so much Goodness, ought certainly to have purged his giddy head of all those wicked Thoughts and Designs; And yet no sooner was he returned to Bourg, but he dispatched Bosco the Cousin of Roncas, to the Duke and the Count who were still at Some with Laffin. This Trade continued all the year 1601. until the Birth of the Daufin, when Biron seemed to change his Mind, and sent for Laffin to return. Now as this Traitor began to play double, Fuentes perceiving by his juggling there was no t••••sting him, thought fit to seize his Person, and likewise upon Renazé his Secretary. In effect Renazé was apprehended as he passed thorow Savoy: but Laffin who was mistrustful of every thing, went by the Grisons Country, and so avoided the Ambuscade.

After this he was highly offended that they detained his Secretary, a young Fellow who was accused of serving him for other uses less commendable than his Imployment in Writing. Which displeasure, joyned to a jealousie he conceived that the Mareschal put more confidence in the Baron de Luz than in him, was the true Motive that push'd him on to ruin him.

[month Decemb.] So soon as the Fort Saincte Catherine had capitulated, the King took Horse to go and meet his new Spouse who had staid for him Eightdays at Lyons. The Duke of Florence Uncle to this Princess, having received the King's Procuration by Belle∣garde his Master of the Horse, Married her the Fifth of October (the Cardinal Al∣dobrandin performed the Ceremony) and afterwards shewed his Magnificence and Riches in Feastings, Huntings, Carrousels, Balls, and other Divertisements usual upon the like Solemnities. The Italians have not omitted to note, as a mark of his Grandeur, that one single Comedy cost him Sixty thousand Crowns the acting.

The Galleys belonging to Florence and Malta brought the new Queen to Marseilles, where she Landed the Third of November, accompanied by the [month Novemb.] Grand Dutchess of Florence her Aunt, the Dutchess of Mantua her Sister, Don Antonio her Brother, and Virginio des Vrsins Duke of Bracciana. The Consta∣ble, the Chancellor, the Dukes of Nemours and Ventadour, with the Duke of Guise Governor of that Province, and the Cardinals de Joycuse, de Gondy, de Givry, and de Sourdis, were sent to receive her on the behalf of the King, as likewise many of the Princesses and greatest Ladies of the Court to keep her Company.

After the Consummation of the Marriage, which was performed the very same day of his Arrival, the City of Lyons honoured the Queen with the Pomp of a Magnificent Entrance. Afterwards the Nuptial Ceremonies were ce∣lebrated the Seventeenth of December in the great Church there by the Cardinal [month Decemb.] Aldobrandin. Whom (which we mention en Passant) the King permitted to exercise the Functions of Legate in his Kingdom, though his Faculties were not verified in Parliament.

The Treaty of Peace which had been begun at Chambery, was continued at Lyons between Sillery and Janin on the King's part, and Arconnas and des Alymes on the Dukes. The Legate contributing his Mediation and care to advance it, obtained a Suspension of Arms from the King for a Months time while they were in Treaty. The Pope and the Spaniards did above all things dread the French should have the Marquisat; and the Duke had likewise a great deal of inte∣rest not to suffer it, because by this means they would have had footing in the midst of his Estates, and have held him, as it were, continually blocked up in Turin; It was therefore not very difficult to make him offer Bresse in exchange. The French withall demanding Eight hundred thousand Crowns for the Expences of

[Year of our Lord 1600] the War, the Legate obliged the Deputies of Savoy to add for that consideration, Bugey and Valromey, and then also the Bailliwick of Geix, that they might have Cental, Demont, and Rocque-Sparviere: for the King affirmed that those pla∣ces were not of the Marquisat of Salusses, but of the County of Provence.

The Chancellor and Villeroy had positively promised the Legat, that none of the places taken from the Duke should be demolished, and he had sent such word to the Pope: To the prejudice of this Promise, Rosny had blown up the Fortress of Sainct Catherine by Mines, and the Inhabitants of Geneva failed not to demolish it; Hearing this News when they were ready to Sign, he was so offended that he ceased intermedling any further with the Treaty, and openly declared that he revoked all he had said.

Arconnas and des Alymes did not so hastily press him to undertake the Business anew, as judging the Citadel of Bourg was yet in a condition to hold out a long time, and in the mean while their Duke, together with the Spanish Army, would make some great Attempt to put in Relief. The Besieged suffered very much al∣ready, most of them having for at least a Month past fed upon nothing but Dogs and Horses: During the Suspension the King had allowed they should be furnished with a Hundred Loaves a day, and some Bottles of Wine: But with these refreshments they convey'd in a Report that their Deputies abusing of their faithful Constancy, did not hasten to conclude the Treaty, but trusted more to what they could yet suffer, then they did Commiserate them for what they had suffer'd already. The Besieged thought this so great a Truth, that they sent a Ticket to those Deputies, Signed by Bouvens and all their Officers, to de∣clare they could not hold above two days more, and that they should make their account accordingly.

The Necessity was not so pressing as they pretended: However the Deputies took so hot an Alarm, that they immediately besought the Legate to renew the Treaty. He would do nothing in it till they had given him a Declaration in Wri∣ting [Year of our Lord 1601] that it was upon their request, and that they would Sign all he had agreed to. [month January.] They had received Letters, indeed, from the Duke of the Eight of January, which enjoyned them to Sign when the Legate commanded it: But when all was con∣cluded, they excused themselves by reason three days afterwards another Express was come, which order'd them to defer it till the Duke had confer'd with the Count de Fuentes.

They ought, no doubt, to have follow'd the last Instructions; and yet the Legate who found all the pains he had taken likely to be lost, and himself like to receive a sensible Affront, employ'd Arguments, Intreaties, and Artifice to per∣suade them that they were bound to follow the first. The Spanish Ambassadour joyned his instances to the Legates, and the Necessity of their Master's Affairs pressed them also, for they believed the Citadel of Bourg to be lost. Yet could they find no way to reconcile the breach of this last Order with their Duty: the Patriarch found out one; which was that the Legate should give them a Promise [month January.] under his hand, To make the Duke approve of the Treaty, to free them from his Indig∣nation, and to warrant their Persons, Declaring that what they had done was out of the respect due to his Authority, and because of the rank he held in Christendom. Upon the assurance of this Writing they Signed the Treaty the Seventeenth of January: but to say the truth, this was no reason to the Duke, it was rather an offence, to own the Commands of any but himself. Therefore the Negociation being ended, Arconnas was received by him with extream coldness: Des Alymes fearing something worse, durst not go to Court, but set himself upon making his Apology; and understanding it had but the more exasperated the Duke, he changed his Soveraign, and retired to the Country bearing his own Name, called Bugey.

The Duke and the Count de Fuentes, deferr'd for some time to ratifie the Treaty; the Duke because he was willing that to oblige him to it, King Philip his Brother in Law should have recompenced him for the inequality of an ex∣change which he pretended to be very disadvantageous to himself: The second, because he ardently desired a War, hating the King's Person, and vainly promising himself he should find the Fortune de la guerre as favourable in those Parts, as for∣merly in Picardy.

The Legate, who was then gone to Avignon, took such an Alarm upon their refusal, that he rode away Post to find the Count at Milan, and e're he went dispatched a Gentleman to the King to desire he would harbour no distrust con∣cerning

his making good the Treaty, and to prolong the Suspension of Arms for [Year of our Lord 1600] Fifteen days more. The Duke of Savoy made them wait yet Seven or Eight days e're he came to Milan; and the Count being of intelligence with him, refused to Sign before that Prince had done so. But when King Philip had signified his Pleasure, and the Legate, by a wyle of an Italian Breed and Air, had reproached him that he alone hindred the Duke from Signing, had picqued him with Honor, and obliged him to decipher the whole Secret between him and the Duke, he could delay it no farther. And besides, the Duke having sent a Messenger ex∣presly to Bourg with a Token, (which was the one half of a broken piece of Gold) to know the condition of the place, upon pretence of going there to Surrender it, found it really such that the Besieged could not maintain it Three days longer, un∣less they would feed upon one another.

[month January and February.] So that he and the Count Signed and sent their Ratification to Lyons, where the Constable, Sillery, and Janin, staid to receive it. The King was gone thence Post to Paris about Fifteen days before; the Queen follow'd by easie Journeys, and arrived at the beginning of Sainct Germains Fair. Towards Spring, both of them went to Orleans to gain the Jubilé the Pope had [month May.] sent thither.

This is the Substance of the principal Articles of the Treaty. The Duke quit∣ted the Country of Bresse to the King, comprehending Bourg with its Cannon and Ammu∣nitions, Bugey, Valromey, and the Bailywick of Geix, with the River of Rosne from Geneva even to Lyons, excepting only Pont de Gressin, which he retained for the conveniency of Passage. Moreover he gave up the City, Chastellenie, and Tower of the Bridge of Chasteau-Dausin, and demolished Beche-Daufin. The King in ex∣change left him the Marquisat of Salusses, with the Cities of Cental, Demont, and Roque-Sparviere, and rendred up all the Places he had taken during this War. Both the one and the other were bound to make good the Guifts, Rewards, and Assignments made by either of them or their Predecessors upon those Lands they yeilded up.

[month March.] Bouvens went out of the Citadel of Bourg the Ninth of March. Had there been Provisions they could never have forc'd him thence: But the City being surprized on an instant, he could not transport any Stores into that place, [☜] which Demonstrates that it is more secure to lay up Stores in Citadels than in the Cities. The King gave this important Government to Peter d'Escodeca Boesse a Huguenot, and therefore the fitter to be trusted there.

In the Count de Fuentes Army were Five and twenty thousand Men, he could wil∣lingly have employ'd them against France: but the Council of Spain had designed them elsewhere. One half were sent to Flanders, the other about Mid-spring were put aboard several Galleys for some grand Enterprize against the Infidels. It was believed they [month May, June, and July.] meant to surprize Algiers, by the Assistance of Ten thousand Christian Slaves who were to be Armed upon their Landing. The Barbarians suspected it, and shut them close in their Cellars, doubly-chained. Now, whether that were the Design or not, this Fleet having roved about those Seas some time, returned into Port, much shatter'd without so much as off'ring to make any the least attempt.

A powerful Diversion of the Turkish Forces would much have amended the Affairs of the Emperor Rodolph. Sultan Amurath III. had broke the Peace with him in the year 1591. after he had made one with the Persian. 'Tis true that during the rest of his Reign he ever had the disadvantage, nor was his Son and Successor Mahomet III. more fortunate the first year of his: The Imperialists having taken Strigoniam, and Sinan his Grand Visier being most shamefully chaced by Sigismond Battory Prince of Transilvania. But the following, which was 1596. the said Sultan going in Person, gained the Fortress of Agria in the Upper Hungary, which the Turks call the IN∣EXPƲGNABLE, and won a great Battel over Mathias the Emperor's Brother, who came, too late, to the relief of that Place.

[month May, June, and July.] The Invasions of the Persians who renew'd the War with him, and the Mutinies of the Janisaries, made him lay aside his Enterprizes for some years: but having brought his Forces again that way, the Emperor not relying any more upon the Conduct of his Generals, who served him very ill, had cast his eyes upon the Duke of Mercoeur, as well because of his Courage and Quality, as because it was likely he would bring great Numbers of brave French-men with him, who otherwise weary of being idle, would

[Year of our Lord 1601] have run themselves into the Service of the United Provinces. This Duke did joyfully accept so honorable an Employment, not, however, without the King's Permission, and took with him the Count de Chaligny his Brother, a great many Volontiers, and some compleat Companies of Soldiers.

There is no Historian of those times but hath taken delight to mention the Exploits of this generous Prince; They relate the great, though fruitless, efforts, he made with only Fifteen hundred men, to raise the Siege which Ibrahim Bassa had laid to Canisa with Threescore thousand Combatants, and to draw him to give Battel; Afterwards, when he had no more Provisions, his gallant Retreat, the bravest that Europe had be∣held [month July.] in all these Wars; Then the following year 1602. the taking of Alba-Royal, and defeat of the Turks who marched to relieve that Place. After so many noble Actions, as he was returning into France for his Domestick Affairs, a Purple Feaver seized on [Year of our Lord 1602] him in the City of Nuremberg, and sent him to Triumph in Heaven the Nineteenth of February.

Now Seha Abbas King of Persia, having renew'd a War against the Turks, was persuaded by Anthony Shirley an Englishman, one of the greatest Cheats in the whole World, to seek the Alliance of the Christian Princes against their common Enemy. His Ambassador Conducted by this Anthony, saw the Emperor, the Pope, and the King of Spain; they all gave him noble Reception, and magnificent Promises, but such as had no effect. The whole Profit of this famous Embassy fell to Anthony, who stole and con∣verted to his own use the greater part of the Presents the Persian sent and designed for the Christian Princes.

Mahomet advertis'd of the great Noise it made in Europe, and that the Duke of Mercoeur with a small number of French, put his Armies to more trouble than the whole Forces of Germany had done before, dispatched an Envoy to the King, desiring him to recall that Prince, and renew the ancient Alliances between the House of France, and that of the Ottomans. This Envoy was only a simple Physitian without any Train or Attendance; not that those Barbarians are so insolent as to hold the Kings of France Inferiour to their Grandeur, but because our Kings themselves would never [✚] admit of any splendid Embassies from thence, lest it should provoke the hatred and reproach of the rest of Christendom. However the effect of this Negociation was as inconsiderable as the Minister of it.

[Year of our Lord 1601] The Treaty of Vervins did not hinder the two Kings from seeking to take their advantages of each other. The Spaniards reproached the King that he assisted the Ʋnited Provinces with Money, and that he permitted his Subjects to go into their Service with whole Troops of Horse, and compleat Regiments of Foot. As to the first he replied, That if he did send them Money, it was because he owed them a great deal: But for the second, he could not avoid making an Order to Prohibit the French from bearing Arms for those Provinces, though in effect he were very glad they disobey'd him in that point, and was as sorry and displeased with those that took Pay under the Spaniard.

On his part there was much more cause to accuse them of infidelity; He complain'd that they had sent Forces to the Duke of Savoy; that the Count de Fuentes had endeavour'd to form an Enterprize upon Marseilles; that they had debauched the Mareschal de Biron; and that they yet held intelligence with the Grandees of the Kingdom to stir up the flame of a new Civil War.

It wanted but little, being thus already exasperated at each others underhand dealings, of breaking into an open defiance, for an Affront the Spaniard put up∣on the Ambassador he had at Madrid, this was Anthony de Silly Rochepot. Some [month June.] young Gentleman belonging to his Train, amongst whom was his Nephew, quar∣relling one Evening as they were washing in the River, with some Spaniards, whom they protested were the Aggressors, kill'd two of them. The Dead being of the best Families of the Town, their Parents and their Friends so stirred up the Rabble, that they ran in multitudes to the Ambassador's House to do them∣selves justice by force. The Alcade, so they call the Town-Judge, could find no other way to appease this fury, but by going himself to the Ambassador's, and with strong hand break open the doors, and carry those Gentlemen away Priso∣ners. This was an attempt, justly deserving Punishment, to force a place which ought to be held Sacred: the King of Spain however did not do justice, but even detain'd the Prisoners when the Commotion was over, as if they had been liable to his Laws. The King therefore made loud complaint to all Christian Princes that they had violated the Rights of Nations, and the Majesty of France recalled

his Ambassador, who departed without taking leave of the King of Spain, and [Year of our Lord 1601] forbid all Commerce between his Subjects and Spain.

The People on those Frontiers did already apprehend the miseries of a Bloody War, and were the more alarmed upon a Report that the Bell at Arragon, which they hold miraculous, had rung out divers times of its own accord, which never happens, said they, without presaging some great Accident; And that upon Holy Thursday, in the Village de Cudos near Basas in Gascongne, a Woman uncov'ring her Paste, which she had wrapped in a Napkin, perceived a Bloody Cross both upon the one and the other. This was seen by great Numbers of People, and the Vicar of the Parish carried some of it to the Bishop. Which may perhaps not seem so miraculous to those that consider how amongst good Wheat there grows sometimes another worser Grain, which after its Flower is kneaded, will [☜] seem as it had been mingled with Blood.

Now the Duke of Lerma Minister of King Philip, apprehending a War as the bane of his Fortune, intreated the Pope in behalf of his Master to become the Mediator for an accommodation, and caused the Prisoners to be put into his [month August, &c.] hands. The Pope deliver'd them into the French Ambassador's at Rome, and de∣sired the King to send another Ambassador into Spain, assuring him that he should be received with as much honour as he could desire. The King thereupon sent Emery Joubert de Barraut in the stead of Rochepot; the Principal Officers went forth to meet him at his approach near any of their Cities; when he came to Court, the Grandees made him their Visits, and within three days after, he had a favo∣rable Audience.

During the heat of these Contentions, the King being gone to Calais, the Arch-Duke who besieged Ostend, greatly feared he drew near to disturb him, in his great Enterprize, and sent to Compliment him in terms as one that is afraid and intreats. The King assured him he had not the least thought of molesting him, and that he did desire to observe the Peace, provided that on the Spanish side they would do him reason.

And in truth, it was not any such thing that led him down to Calais, but the desire of Negociating at the nearest distance with the Queen of England. That Princess having some Projects to impart for the ruining of the House of Austria, longed to confer with him personally, and flatter'd her self with the hopes of an [month August.] enterview at Sea, between Dover & Calais. Biron was ordered on the King's behalf, to go and make his excuses to her for that he could not participate of that joy.

Whil'st he was preparing for this Embassy, Rosny passed into England to endea∣vour the discovery of Queen Elizabeth's thoughts. He pretended to have no or∣der to see her, but only a Curiosity to make a Voyage to London: he was soon taken notice of, as he desired, by some English Gentlemen, who carried him to the Queen; & gather'd as much of her Mind as she would let him know. Now when she found the King deprived her of the satisfaction of an enterview, which she so ardently desired, she went about Forty Miles from London; & there it was she recei∣ved Mareschal de Biron, & treated him with all the Magnificence imaginable. From thence she brought him to London, where she shewed him, perhaps designedly, the Head of the Earl of Essex, otherwhile her Favorite, planted upon the Tower, amongst those of many more English whom she had put to Death for conspiring against her.

All France, but principally the King, was in great impatience to know if what the Queen bare in her Womb, would prove the accomplishment of their earnest wishes: Knowing therefore her time drew near, he went in haste from Calais to beat her Labour. She was deliver'd at Fontainebleau, and brought forth a Son who entred upon the Stage of this World on Thursday the Seven and twentieth [month Septemb.] of September about Eleven at Night; he was named Lewis. The Father trans∣ported with joy, did the same day put his Sword into the Royal Infant's hand, according to the Custom of the Kings his Predecessors, craving the favour of Al∣mighty God that he might one day make use of it for his Glory, and the good of his Subjects. The Birth of this little Prince was preceded by an Earth-quake, a presage of those terrible Wars wherewith all Europe was to be shaken during his Reign.

Five days before, viz. The two and twentieth of the Month being the Feast of Saint Maurice, the King of Spain had a Daughter Born, to whom they gave the Names of Anna-Maria-Mauritia. Such as pretended to have Skill in judging of future times, observing that Heaven had given Birth to these two first Children of different Sexes, so near one another, did then foretel it was decreed they should

[Year of our Lord 1601] be one day joyn'd together, to produce a Prince that should in his single Person unite the Grandeur of those two most August Houses.

The Daufin made his first Entrance into Paris the Thirtieth day after his en∣trance [month October.] into the World: his Cradle was carried in a Littiere accompanied by the Dame de Montglas his Governess, and the Nurse. The Prevost des Marchands and the Eschevins, went a good way into the Fauxbourg to receive him, and made him a Harangue; the Governess replied to it.

In the Month of April a difference arose which was like to have embroiled all [month April.] Provence, between the Archbishop of Aix, (Paul Huraud de l'Hospital), and the Parliament. A Priest had forced a little Boy of Six or Seven years old: the Pa∣rents giving information, the Arch-bishops Official, or Chancellor, order'd that the Parties should proceed before him: but upon the Parents appeal, the Parlia∣ment ordained one of the King's Judges should have the hearing of it. In fine [month April.] the Priest by Sentence was Condemned to such Death as his Abomination deser∣ved. Before Execution the Parliament summon'd the Archbishop to degrade him: but as in Provence the Ecclesiasticks were wont to enjoy the same Privileges and Franchises, as those of Italy enjoy'd, the Archbishop complaining they had infringed the Liberties of the Church, excommunicated all such Councellors as had been assisting in this Prosecution, forbid any within his Diocess to administer the Sacrament to them, and sent a Brief to all the Churches containing their se∣veral Names. This Scandal was the greater as hapning to be near the time of Easter. The Parliament offended with this proceeding, cited the Archbishop, and upon default of Appearance, declared his Brief calumnuous, and his Excom∣munication null and abusive, ordained he should take it off, and enter the same in the Court Register, (or upon Record) within three days, in default whereof he should pay Ten thousand Crowns fine. In the mean time the Archbishop was ob∣stinate, to persist, and the Parliament to compel him, the People were divided into two Parties, and grew hot even to the danger of some great Commotion: Nevertheless the Parliament having order'd a seizure of the Archbishop's Tempo∣ral Estate (the only Bridle for the Clergy, when they more value their Reve∣nues than either their Duty or their Dignity) he soon complied, took off his Ex∣communication [month May.] purely and simply, and sent to his Diocesans to receive those Judges to the Communion, whom he had deprived.

[Year of our Lord 1602] The following year in the Month of March, almost the like Scandal hapned at [month March.] Bourdeaux. The Archbishop who was the Cardinal de Sourdis, a hot-brained man, had demolished an Altar in the Church Saint André his Cathedral, without communicating it to the Chapter. The Canons endeavouring to Rebuild it, were drove away somewhat too rudely by his People. The Parliament took the Cause in hand, and upon their Complaint put the Mason in Prison who had pull'd down the Altar. The Cardinal breaks the Prison doors and takes him thence. Some days after, the Parliament, assisted by the Jurats who came with a strong hand, caused the Altar to be Rebuilt. The Cardinal was so enraged, that the Sunday following, being informed the first President, (by Name Godfrey Malloüin Sessac) and the President Verdun, were hearing Mass in the Church of Sainct Pro∣ject, he went thither with his Archiepiscopal Crosier and the Holy Sacrament, and there Excommunicated them by Bell, Book and Candle. The Parliament in great wrath for the injury done to all their Body by this affront to their Head, made a Decree which enjoyned him to revoke his Censures, and to cause the same to be published in the same Church upon the Penalty of Four thousand Crowns Fine, for∣bidding all Bishops to use the like for the future to any Judges for doing their Of∣fice, upon Pain of Ten thousand Crowns. The King having received the Com∣plaints of either Parties, brought the Business before himself, and there kept it, to allay the heats on either hand.

There were divers Reglements published this year necessary to discharge the King's Debts, and make the Money circulate. Amongst others the Suppression of the Triennals created upon necessity of the Siege of Amiens, and their Re∣imbursement by the Ancient and Alternatives. They did however reserve those of the Espargne, Parties Casuelles, Extraordinaries for War, and some others. The Prohibition against Transporting Gold or Silver out of the Kingdom, or ex∣posing any more Foreign Coin, except Pistols and Reals of Spain. Another for∣bidding the wearing of Gold or Silver upon their Cloaths, or to squander away that precious Metal in guilding. The King authorized this last by his own Exam∣ple, and look'd very sowrely upon a Prince who presumed to appear before him

with that Gawdry. This Reformation did much discountenance the Gossips and [Year of our Lord 1601] Gallants, and was reckoned one of the Publick Grievances by that sort of Cat∣tle, who have no other Perfections but what they borrow from the Lace-man [✚] and the Taylor.

The most Universal cause of all the Disorders and Corruptions, sprang from Luxury; the extraordinary Taxes first brought forth and Nursed this proud and dainty Monster: tho'to say truth both of them were as yet but in the Cradle. The Contractors and Exchequer-men having abundance of Money, which for the most part cost them but the dash of a Pen, did lay it out in all manner of Vani∣ty. And most of the Gentlemen, who were picked to equal those foolish Expen∣ces, did by over-swelling and strutting burst themselves, like the Frog in the Fable; Then when they were so ruined and had nothing left to sell but their Honour, they Married with those Fellows Daughters, to get great Portions, which they could not have met with in Houses of Repute or Quality; not con∣sidering that from such corrupted Blood, nothing but a corrupt and vicious gene∣ration [☜] could proceed.

It was therefore become most necessary to repress the insolency of these Rob∣bers, and their Pillage, or unlawful Gains, that caused it. The King for that purpose establish'd a Royal Chamber, composed of Judges of known and appro∣ved integrity, selected from amongst the Masters of Requests, belonging to his Parliament, and the Cour des Aides of Paris. The People who are easily fed with vain hopes, imagined that the Gallows would soon do them Justice upon those Robbers under the specious title of Officers, and that their Spoil would be restored, at least in part, to such as had been fleeced by them: but by vertue of great Presents and Intrigues, they found out able Mediators; for some of the greatest Lords, many fair Ladies, together with the Ministers of the King's Pleasures, attaqu'd the Clemency of that good Prince with so many Engines and Importunities, that he admitted those Rascals to Composition, after the Cham∣ber, or Court had sat till the year 1604. and so punish'd them only in their Pur∣ses, and that but very lightly.

Thus the Publick, far from receiving that Satisfaction they so justly expected, had the displeasure to find this Inspection served only to secure that booty to them who had so unmercifully rifled the Kingdom. Nor could they distinguish the Innocent, few as they were, from the Guilty, since not the most wicked, but the more weak were the most roughly handled.

The Adventures of a Man who said he was Sebastian King of Portugal, miracu∣lously escaped from the hands of the Moors after the Battle in Africa, did for some years exercise the worlds Curiosity, and begot a diversity of Judgments, according as mens Minds were variously disposed. The Portugueze did easily believe it was their King, the Italians doubted it, the Spaniards treated him as a Fourbe and Magician. He told his Fable, or his History so well, and brought so many Proofs and Tokens for the truth of what he said, that they could not detect him of one Mistake. The Senate of Venice, to whom he first addressed himself in the year 1598. found all his Answers very pertinent to such questions as they put to him: but the Spanish Ambassador to that Seigneury, made so much noise, that he was laid hold on, and after he had been Prisoner there two years, condemned him to quit their Territories within Eight days. The Por∣tuguese Merchants who were then in Venice, travested him as a Jacobin to carry him to Rome about the end of the year 1600. As he passed by Florence the Grand Duke apprehended him, and fearing to offend the King of Spain, who had a Fleet upon those Coasts, put him into the hands of the Vice-Roy of Naples. The Vice-Roy having de∣tained him a while, caused him to be shaved and sent to the Galleys, who carried him in∣to Spain; where he was shut up close Prisoner in the Castle at Sainct Lucar, and there died soon after. A horrible Injustice if he were Don Sebastian, and too slight a Pu∣nishment if he were an Impostor.

Some years before, another who came from the Terceres into Portugal, acted the same Part, having gotten together Six or Seven thousand Men, created Grandees, and bestowed upon them all the Offices belonging to the Crown: The Cardinal of Austria Vice-Roy of Portugal dispersed this confused Herd of Wild Beasts, and put their Coun∣terfeit King with his principal Associates to Death.

[Year of our Lord 1602] The year 1602. found the whole Court very jocund: there was nothing but Feastings, Balls, Hunting-Matches, and great Gaming. Besides the gay Cour∣tiers [month January.]

[Year of our Lord 1602] promis'd themselves a Golden Age, upon the discovery of some Mines of [month January.] Gold, Silver, Copper, and Tin. In so much, as by an Edict, which however was not verified till June, Bellegard Grand Escuyer, or Master of the Horse, got to be made the Grand Maistre, or Superintendant of them, Beaulieu Rusé Secre∣tary of State that of Lieutenant, Beringhen first Valet de Chambre Comptroller General, and Villemareuil Councellor in Parliament the Office of President to take Cognisance of all Matters, and Causes relating to Workmen that should be therein employ'd. The Parasites did not stick to say Heaven had reserved this Happiness for the Reign of Henry the Great, and that the Earth enamour'd with his incomparable Vertues, open'd her breast to let him behold all what she had of Rich and Beautiful: but when they came to work in their Mines, the expence did much exceed the profit, so that all these metallick Treasures vanish'd in fume and vapour like Quick-silver.

The Alliance between France and the Swiss and Grisons, being expired after the Death of Henry III. the Agents for Spain had omitted no endeavours to break those People wholly off from us, and engage with them; particularly the Five petty Catholick Cantons; so that for some time past these had made one with them, and with the Duke of Savoy▪ Now the King desiring earnestly to renew with them upon the same Conditions as his Predecessors, Francis Hotman Mor∣fontaine his Ambassador in those Countries, had begun to lay some foundation for a Treaty, and would have carried it on much further, if Death had not laid his cold hands on him at Soleurre. Afterwards Emeric de Vic placed in his stead, pur∣sued his work; and about the end of the foregoing year Sillery had been sent thi∣ther expresly to put the finishing hand to it.

The greatest difficulty, was to make the Treaty of the Five little Cantons ac∣cord with what the King demanded upon the foot of the old ones. Sillery thought he had overcome it by the Promise he made of Paying them a Million of Gold for what was due upon the former account: But the delay of Payment (the most sensible of all Injuries to them) had given opportunity to the Emissaries of Spain and Savoy to cast the Seeds of Anger and Discontent into the Minds of those suspicious People; in so much, that all was breaking in pieces when the Mareschal de Biron arrived at Soleurre in the Month of January of this year 1602. with a [month January and February.] numerous Train, and a pompous Equipage.

His magnificent Expence, his Discourse wholly Martial, and the lustre of his brave Acts, whereof themselves had often been Eye-witness; had indeed a great influence upon those War-like Spirits; but it was the Arrival of the Waggons loaden with Silver that wholly won their hearts. The Alliance was then re∣new'd to last, not only during the life of the King, but during the life, also, of the Daufin. The Mareschal crowned this Festival with the Magnificence of a sump∣tuous Banquet, where he did wonders, in describing the Grandeur of the King, and the Power and Strength of France. This was not the least of his Services, but it was the last day of his Glory and good Fortune. At his return, finding that Laffin was sent for to Court, he staid in Burgundy and would not stir thence till the Month of June.

There had been granted by the Estates at Roüen a Tax of a Sol per Liuer upon such Wares as should be brought into any City, but for Three years only; the term expired, this Impost was continued with great severity; and the Partisans had hung up Papers containing the Prizes of all sorts of Goods near the Gates of [month April and May.] the Towns at their Toll-booths. Those of Guyenne and Languedoc could not endure so odious an Imposition, and which was no way due: Limoges and Ro∣chell opposed it by main strength, the rest were ready to follow the same Dance, some Emissaries running about those Countries blew up the flame; and there was danger it might put those whole Provinces into a Combustion, unless timely care were taken to prevent it. To this purpose the King went to Blois, and thence to Poitiers, and sent the President Jambeville into Limosin.

This Magistrate was very vigorous, he took the Hoods away from the Consuls of Limoges who were in Office, and caused two or three of the most Factious to suffer by the severest hand of Justice. By these means he appeased the Tumult in Limosin: as on the other side the Voyage of Rosny to Rochell, disposed the Peo∣ple of that haughty City to admit of the Impost. The Order and Paper of Prizes therefore was set up again in all the Cities: But some Months after, the King being satisfied of the Obedience of his Subjects; and moreover finding the said Impost did stand him in almost as much to Collect it, as it brought in, revo∣ked

and converted it into a moderate Subsidy; For Imposts, though they be [Year of our Lord 1602] abolished, like Wounds do ever leave some cicatrice and ill-favour'd Scar be∣hind [ ☜] them.

Whil'st the King was in Poitou, the Parliament the Chambers assembled, after a Mercuriale * 1.88, and chiefly at the instance of the President Seguier, seconded by the Examiners, ordained that all Advocates, or Attorneys, pursuant to the 161 Article of the Estates at Blois, should at the end of all their Briefs or Writings put down the particulars of all they had received for their Fees, and give a Certi∣ficate of what they had gained from their Clients for their Pleadings. He made this Decree the Thirteenth of May, upon the desire the King had to reform the gross Abuses in Law-States, and upon Complaint made to him by the Duke de Piney, of an Advocate that had demanded Fifteen hundred Crowns of him to Plead one Cause. The Advocates refusing to obey, there was a second, which enjoyned those that would not Plead, to make such Declaration to the Register, after which they were forbidden to exercise their Profession, upon peine de faux, i. e. Loss of Life and Estate.

[month May.] The Morrow after this had been pronounced in full Court, they all went by two and two out of the Chamber of Consultations to the Number of 307. and going to the Registers laid down their Caps, and declared that they obey'd. The Palace, (or Court) was dumb for Eight or Nine days: Some of the Cour∣tiers persuaded the King to leave them in that humor which they would have been weary of ••ooner than himself: But having Business of much greater weight than this, and the Brouillery beginning to look like a Commotion, he would needs determine it, and caused an Order to be dispatched which restored the Advocates to their Function, and commanded them to return to the Bar and obey the first Article. Which was only for the Formality. For the Judges themselves who made it wink'd at it, and let it fall to nothing.

It was with much reason suspected, that the Commotions in Guyenne were a Train leading to those other Mynes contrived by the Mareschal de Biron; and it looked as if at the same instant that he was to spring them, the Spaniards were prepared to give the Assault, and enter upon the Kingdom. For they had raised a numerous Army by Land, which was kept upon the Frontiers, and were fitting another for Sea under the Command of Juan de Cardonna. They gave out that the first was to be sent into Flanders: and the second to execute some Enter∣prize upon Algiers by the assistance of the King of Fez: But it was apprehen∣ded rather to be designed against Burgundy, and to surprize some Sea-port Town in Provence.

The Spaniard shewed plainly enough by his Treatment of Alexander Caretta Mar∣quiss de Final, who was comprised in the Number of the King's Allies, that he ca∣red not over-much to observe the Treaty of Verwins: for Fuentes seized upon Fi∣nal, having paid the Garrison of that place for Ten or twelve Musters that were due to them. The very Old-Age of that poor Lord, who was near upon Fourscore, and his being destitute of Children, gave him the Confidence to make this Ʋsurpation, for which the good Man never had any other Satisfaction, but only, I know not what Pen∣sion allow'd him in the Kingdom of Naples.

The fear of some terrible Event keeping the King in perpetual alarms, he came back from Poitou to Fontainebleau, that he might search into the bottom of the Conspiracy, believing that if once it were but laid open, it would not be so [month May.] dangerous. And therefore he would needs at what rate soever, have Laffin be brought before him who was privy to the whole Secret. We have told you what cause of discontent this man had against Biron; It is conjectur'd he had given notice to the King of all his Practises for a long while before this time; at least it is most certain he had thoughts of doing so; and of providing himself with Evi∣dence to verifie his Accusation.

And this they ground it upon, Biron had with his own hand written a Pro∣ject of the Conspiracy, Laffin perswaded him it was dangerous to keep it by him, and that he needed but to have a Copy. Biron gives it him to Transcribe in his presence. When he had done so, he rowls up the Original between his hands like a ball, and cast it into the Fire: but Biron not minding it further, (the negligence of a great Lord) he craftily draws it out agen, and puts it into his Pocket. So that some will needs believe this man over-whelm'd with Debts,

[Year of our Lord 1602] Crimes, and other Misfortunes, soothed the passionate Mareschal in his Designs, on purpose to make a fortune by betraying his Secrets; and that if he would, he might easily have prevailed with him to lay them all aside; especially after the Queen was deliver'd of a Son. For amongst the Letters the Mareschal had written to him, there was one that said, That since God had bestowed a Daufin upon the King, he would think no more of his former Follies, and pray'd him to return.

When Biron understood Laffin was press'd upon by the King to go to Court, he sent a Gentleman to put him in mind of his Oathes, to let him consider he had his Life and Honor in his hands, to intreat him above all things to burn all his Letters and Papers, and to rid himself of a certain Curate whom they had em∣ploy'd in some ill-favour'd Business. Laffin being come to Fountainebleau revea∣led all to the King, gave him all the Letters and Papers, and named the Conspi∣rators to him; amongst whom he involved so many Persons of Quality, even Rosny, that the King amazed at the greatness of the Peril, was for some time in much doubt whom to confide in.

His secret Council thought convenient to dissemble in respect of many of the accused, and indeed there lay no other proof against them but the Depositions of Laffin; It had been the ready way to have set all France on a flame should they have fallen upon so many great ones at once, it was safer much to allow them time to repent, than to have put them to the necessity of seeking their par∣ticular safety in a desperate general Rebellion. And therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all the Letters Laffin produc'd, they publish'd none but those which made mention of Biron on∣ly; [month May.] there were Five and twenty of them. The King gave them into the Custo∣dy of the Chancellour, who for fear they should be lost, sowed them within the lining of his Doublet.

All this was done before the King went to Poitiers. During his Voyage Peter Fougeu Descures, and then the President Janin being sent into Burgundy, labour'd to dispose Biron to come to Court. His Conscience, his Friends, those Progno∣stications wherein he put much confidence, divers ominous Presages, the pressing haste of those that would have him go, dissuaded him; On the contrary, the As∣surance which the Baron de Lux newly return'd from Court gave him, that Laffin had discovered nothing, the King's profound Dissimulation, who one day said before this Baron, that he was very glad Laffin had cleared several doubts which some had made him conceive of Biron's innocency, the shame the Mares∣chal had of shewing any fear, and giving advantage to his Enemies, the appre∣hension of being thrust out of his Government if he did not obey, and withal his Pride and his ill Fate betray'd him to the resolution of going to the King.

Before he went, he received a Ticket from a Lord, his intimate Friend, who advised him rather to go into the Franche Comté: for there was now no farther Security for him in Burgundy, the King's Agents having disposed all things there to invest him. Upon his way many more of the same Tenor were deliver'd him; At Montargis he met one so pressing that he was like to have turned back agen; nevertheless he pursued his unhappiness, and arrived at Fontainebleau the Four∣teenth [month June.] of June.

The Duke d'Espernon had sent before his coming to proffer him his Service, believing those odd Reports that flew about were but the Slanders of his Ene∣mies. [month June.] When he was at Court he did not meet with his accustomed Applause, and might well read the disposition of the Prince in the countenance of his Cour∣tiers. Wherever he went his Presence cast a damp upon their looks, few people approached him, and none could speak but with a great deal of Con∣straint: whil'st every thing pointed out the danger he was in; and if he did not understand that Language, a Note from the Countess de Roussy his Sister, spake more plainly, wishing him to get away before he was more strictly guarded.

This would perhaps have proved very difficult, so carefully was he observed: but he had no need to provide for his Safety by such shifts, the King himself of∣fer'd him a way both more certain and more honorable. He had resolved, and his Council applauded that resolution, to extend his Clemency to him, and forget all what was past, provided he would faithfully discover and unriddle the whole Practice, with all the instruments of this Conspiracy, that so by certainly [month June.] knowing from what quarter the Storm was to have fallen upon him, he might be eased of his Fears, and Jealousies that did so much disturb his rest.

[Year of our Lord 1602] He therefore made three several attempts to persuade him to own the Truth freely and sincerely: one the very same Morning he arrived at Court, having drawn him aside in a private Walk of the Garden; another after Dinner the very same day taking him into his Closet; and the third the next Morning in another private Promenade. He every time exhorted, and conjured him not to conceal those things which could not by other means be made out without ruin∣ing him, assured him of a full and real Pardon, and told him that what he desired to be informed of from his own Mouth, was not for want of other Evidence, but purely because he desired to save his Reputation, and keep the Knowledge from any but himself, of such things as must if prosecuted be so disadvantageous to him. All these endeavours were to no purpose, for he believing Laffin had kept his Faith, and thinking whatever the King hinted was but Conjecture, was so far from owning any thing, that he talked audaciously and without respect. The first time he replied, he was not come either to justifie himself, or to accuse his Friends. At the second, he made loud Complaints, was transported, demanded Justice against his Accusers, or Permission to carve his Satisfaction with his Sword. At the third it was nothing but Bravado's, Menaces, execrable Oathes, which convinced the King that he was much more susceptible to commit a Crime than to repent it. He therefore resolved to abandon him to the severity of Justice, since he refused to cast himself into the arms of Mercy, and gave Order to Vitry and Prasbin Captains of the Guards du Corps, to be in a readiness to apprehend him, and also the Count d'Auvergne, the most intimate of his Acquaintance, and Accomplices.

Before it came to this, he would needs Communicate the Proofs he had against them to his secret Council, that he might not bring People of such great impor∣tance before his Tribunal, unless there were enough to Convict them. When they had satisfied him that there was more then needed, he made yet another and last effort to draw the whole Truth of the Fact out of the mouth of the Mares∣chal. At Night about Ten of the Clock, having left off his Gaming with the Queen, he called him into his Closet, and conjured him once for all, to confess that freely of himself, which he was but too well informed of by others, passing his word that a true and ample Confession should wipe off all his Crimes, how many and enormous soever. The least token of Humility and Repentance had saved him: But he most arrogantly replied, That, this was to press an Honest man too far: So that the King touched at the same time with Sor∣row [month June.] and Indignation, left him, saying, Since you will reveal Nothing, Adieu Baron.

Going forth from thence, he was seized by Vitry, as the Count d'Auvergne was by Praslin. Both of them being kept that Night in the Castle, were the next day convey'd to Paris by Water, and lodged in the Bastille. The same day the King arrived by the Gate Sainct Marceau, the People following him with loud Accla∣mations which expressed the Joy they resented for his having discover'd so dan∣gerous a Plot.

Three days after, Biron's Relations to the number of Seven, of whom were Sainct Blancard his Brother, Salignac of the same Surname, and James Nompar Caumont la Force, coming and casting themselves at the King's feet to implore his Mercy, had for Answer, That he would leave him to the Severity of the Law. Immediately he sent a Commission to the Parliament of Paris to make his Process, and another particular one to the first President, to the President Potier, and to Fleury and Turin the two eldest Councellors of the whole Company to Examine him. His Friends presented a Petition in the Name of his Mother, desiring he might have Council allowed him, as is usual to such as are accused; But the Court denied it, grounding it upon this, That they are not allowed any in case of Treason.

In this necessity whereas he should have collected all his strength of Reason and Prudence, he shewed if ever he were Master of any, that this present trouble of Spirit had utterly confounded them: for from the moment he was Apprehended to the day of his Death, all his Discourse and Behaviour seemed to tend only to the aggravating his Crime, and loading him hourly with new Guilt. When Vitry made him Prisoner, he would needs have the King be a Persecutor, and said to those that saw him led away, Behold, Sirs, how they treat the good Catho∣licks. After his Confinement, unless at those times when he fell into perfect raving, his mouth was ever full of Reproaches, Imprecations and Rodomon∣tado's.

[Year of our Lord 1602] When they came to interrogate him, he disown'd the Project, then owned it without any necessity, denied and then confessed divers Facts, and upon this so ticklish an occasion, whereas the wisest speak but by Monosyllables, he launched into tedious Discourses, and thereby often and very much en∣tangled himself.

As to the Witnesses, he reproached them not till after he had heard their De∣positions, though he had been fore-warn'd that if he had any thing to object, it must be before-hand. Thus he owned Laffin for an Honest man and his good [month June.] Friend; Then when they had read what he deposed, he Curs'd him as the worst of all Mankind, a Sorcerer, a Traytor, and a Sodomite. Had he said this in due time, it might in some measure have weakned his Evidence. He said that if Re∣nazé had been alive he could have testified the contrary, and justified him: he did not imagine he was so near at hand, and was much amazed when they read his Deposition, and brought him to confront him. This fellow had made his escape from the Prison at Quiers with his Keepers, so opportune∣ly, one would have guess'd the Duke of Savoy was of Intelligence with the King.

The Witnesses alone Convicted him, for most of his Writings were dated [month July.] before the Pardon the King had granted him at Lyons. All things being rea∣dy, they led him to the Parliament to give Judgment: He was convey'd thither by Boat with a strong guard. The Chambers were assembled, the Chancellour presided, not one of the Dukes or Pairs were there, although they had been summon'd in due form. He defended himself somewhat better there, than he had done before his Commissioners. They gave him full liberty and time to Plead, and this time he did Plead as he had often Fought; that is, he did wonders.

All the strength of his defence consisted in an endeavour to make it out, that the Will without any Effect, or a Design without an Overt act, was not punish∣able, that his Services ought to over-poise and excuse some transports of passio∣nate and indecent words and thoughts that had no farther consequence; And above all he laid his main stress upon this, that the King had Pardon'd him in the Cordeliers at Lyons. To these Reasons and Arguments he added so lively a Representation of his brave deeds and so many Motives for Compassion, that he drew Tears from the Eyes of some of his Judges; and if they had at that instant given their Opinions, perhaps he might have found some mercy: but they having then not time enough to take all their Votes, the Busi∣ness was deferr'd till Monday, in the mean while he was remanded to the Bastille.

On Monday, while the Judges were in Consultation, an Order was brought them under the Great Seal, whereby he revoked the Pardon he had given him by word of mouth at Lyons. Some of his Ministers finding the Prisoner stood so much upon that, and apprehending his fury if he should escape, prevailed with the King to make the said Revocation, though it were a thing altogether unnecessary, and somewhat contrary to his Natural Cle∣mency.

The Judges, as one Man, gave all their Votes for his Death; They declared him Convicted of High-Treason, for Conspiracies against the Person of the King, Designs upon the State, and Treaties with the Enemies, and Condemned him to have his Head cut off in the Greve, his Estate confiscate to the King, the Dutchy of Biron to be Extinguish't, and those Lands and others, if he had any which were held of the King, reunited to the Crown. The Sentence being brought to the King, he put off the Execution till the next day, and changed the place from the Greve to that of [month July.] the Court in the Bastille. Which to his Friends was interpreted as a Favour, though it was purely an effect of the fear they had of some Commotion, not so much amongst the common People, as the Soldiery, who loved him most entirely.

Upon Tuesday the last day of July about Noon, the Chancellour with some Councellors of State and of the Parliament, went to the Bastille to put the Sen∣tence in Execution. So soon as Biron saw him he cried out, he was a Dead man, and asked if there were no Pardon. The extravagancies, and the transports he shewed in this last Scene, where his Courage ought to have shew'd its force, if he had had any, demonstrates enough, that some who dare venture into dangers with Bravery, because they have a prospect of overcoming, have not the resolu∣tion

to stare Death in the face, when there's no possibility of escaping. The [Year of our Lord 1602] Chancellour having given Order they should lead him to the Chappel, he gave [☜] himself up to Cries, to Complaints, and to Reproaches, protested his Innocen∣cy, summon'd the Chancellour to appear at the Bar of Almighty God, accused the King of Ingratitude and Injustice. After he had thus spit all his fire and ve∣nom, he fell into the other extreme: his too great love of life flatt'ring him yet with a faint beam of Hope, made him beseech his Judges to intercede once more for him, and made him even beg the favour of Ros••y, though he esteemed him his most mortal Enemy; Then when he found they all were deaf and dumb to his requests, he fell into more fury than before.

They had at first no little trouble to bring him to that condition a Criminal should be in to hear his Sentence pronounced: yet he heard it patiently enough, excepting those words which accused him of having Conspired against the Person of the King, this he could not endure, but cried out, That was False; and he per∣sisted to his very death, that he was innocent as to that point. It was a mighty laborious task the Doctors had to prepare and dispose him to his Death: he had scarce any settled intervals. They thought fit not to tye him, lest that should put him out of all his Senses. When they led him to the Scaffold, the sight of the Executioner put him into a new rage: He would not let him touch him, nor tye a Handkerchief over his Eyes, he bound it on himself, and then un∣bound it again two or three times. At last the Executioner took his time and blow so dexterously as made his Head fly off at one stroke. As it was full of Fire and Spirits, it was observed to make two Rebounds, and cast forth a much grea∣ter quantity of Blood, than came from the whole trove of his Body. His Corps [month July.] was interred in the Church of Sainct Paul, with a marvellous Confluence of People, who flocked thither from all Parts, and served for his Funeral train.

He was of a middle Stature, and for Corpulence gross enough, had black Hair beginning to turn grey, his Physiognomy cloudy and ominous, his Conversation rough, his Eyes sunk inwards, his Head little, and no doubt ill furnished with Brains: his extravagant Designs, his giddy Conduct, and the foolish Passion he had for gaming (losing in one year above Five hundred thousand Crowns) were infallible marks of it. The King bestowed the Government of Burgundy on the Daufin, and the Lieutenancy on Bellegarde during his Minority.

The Death of Biron put out all the remaining Sparkles of the Conspiracy, if any were yet alive: his Friends and Relations bemoaned his Death, but durst not murmur; his Confederates knowing he had said nothing against them, and being certain they had not written any thing, (for amongst his Papers they found no Letters but his own) reassured themselves, and that more especially because the King made as if he had no knowledge of their Practises; the King of Spain, nor Duke of Savoy dared not make any attempt now; whose Ambassa∣dors were not the last that Congratulated the King, for his having detected this Conspiracy. He let them understand he very well knew their evil Disposition towards him, but yet assured them he would not break the Peace: but he denied to grant Passage by this Bridge de Gresin to their Milan Forces, before he had tho∣rowly inform'd himself of all this grand Affair.

Their Design, as they gave out, was to pass into Flanders, nevertheless he suspected they were brought thither only to favour the Enterprize of the Mares∣chal de Biron, and apprehended when he was first taken, lest they should have exasperated his Confederates by despair. Upon this consideration, and to keep Burgundy in obedience, he had sent thither the Mareschal de Lavardin with some Forces; So that those who held the Castles of Dijon and Aussonne, after they had used threatnings four or five days talked no more but of submitting, when they perceived him in a condition to force them. The Fidelity, no less than the Cou∣rage, of this Lord, was well known to the King upon many Trials, therefore for some time past he had taken delight in bestowing the Noblest employments upon him, to eclipse the glory of Biron.

[month July.] Edme de Malain Baron de Lux, Lieutenant in the Government of this Province, acquainted with the utmost Practises of the Conspiracy, was so wise and fortu∣nate as not to lose himself: He trusted to the Mercy of the King, came to him, and disclosed all. Wherefore he Pardon'd him without any reservation, passed his Oblivion in the Parliament of Paris, and in the Parliament of Burgundy, and left him in his Command.

[Year of our Lord 1602] The Baron de Fontenelles of the House of Beaumanoir, and René de Marcc-Monibarot [month August, and Septemb.] Governor of Renes, were apprehended as Confederates with Biron. The Grand Council having a Commission to try the first, condemned him to be Drawn on a Hurdle to the Greve and there to be Broken alive upon the Wheel, and sent two or three of his People to the Gallows. The Cruelties this Gentle∣man had committed in Bretagne during the Leagne, and the obstinacy he had shewed for that Party, did not a little help to aggravate his Punishment; On the contrary, the Services which Montbarot had done the King in that same Province, did much contribute towards his justification. The Count d'Auvergne remained but Two Months in the Bastille after the Death of Biron, the King set him at Liberty, and also received him into his Favour. He had a Powerful Intercessor [month October.] in his Sister the Marchioness of Verneüil, and moreover he owned all he knew.

The Mareschal de Bouillon thought it more safe to be at large, and to justifie himself at distance; He consider'd that Rosny jealous of the too great credit he had amongst the Huguenots, did him ill offices at Court, and he had reason, had he been never so innocent, to apprehend the Indignation of the King, because at Poitiers, that Prince having told him of his Practices, he retorted again too confidently, and in such a manner as is justly accounted Criminal towards a So∣veraign. Thus, far from coming upon the King's Commands, he went and presented himself at the Cambre my-Partie of Castres, offering to justifie himself there, for he pretended they were his Natural Judges, because his Vicounty of Turenne is within the Jurisdiction of the Parliament of Toulouze, whereof the Chamber of Castres is a Member. How-ever it were, he drew from them an Act of Comparition, for which the King was very angry with them. Passing by Montpellier, he engaged the Reformed Churches of Languedoc, to write in favour of him to the King; then finding no place of Security in France, he went to Geneva, and from thence into Germany, where having perswaded the Pro∣testant [month October.] Princes of his Innocency, and craved the intercession of Queen Elizabeth, he gave his Enemies more cause to animate the King against him.

Towards the end of this year, the King discover'd how the Prince of Joinwille [month December.] had suffer'd himself to be circumvented by the Spaniards, and negociated some Contract or Colligation with them, by means of Philip d'Anglure Guyonvelle a Lord Franc-Comtois. He caused him therefore to be apprehended: but when he found there was more of Puerility and Wantonness, than Malice in his Transa∣ctions, he would not put the young Prince in Prison, he only put him into the Custody of the Duke of Guise his eldest Brother, that he might teach him more Wit.

Amidst so many Inquietudes and Alarms, the Court tasted some little joy at the reception they made for the Swiss and Grison Ambassadors who came to Paris to Swear their renewed Alliance with the Crown. They were in number Forty two, Sagner Advoyé of Berne was their Orator. They arrived at Paris the Four∣teenth of October, and stay'd there Thirteen days. The manner of their Re∣ception, their Lodging, the Feasts that were made for them, the Ceremonies they used at their Swearing the Alliance in the Church of Nostre-Dame, which was performed the Two and twentieth of October, the Presents which the King be∣stow'd on each of them, were just the very same things as we have seen these lat∣ter years upon the like occasion, and are withal more proper to fill up a Ceremo∣nial than a History.

But it is remarkable that at the Treat was given them in the Archbishoprick after they had taken the Oaths, the King who had dined apart, came into the Hall where they were sitting, accompanied by the Cardinals de Joyeuse and de Gondy, and some other Lords and presenting himself at the end of the Table without sitting, nor yet suffering any of them to rise, drank to the health of his Comperes, or Gossips, and obliged the two Cardinals to do the like. The Am∣bassadours received this Honor bare-headed, and Pledged him in the same manner.

About four or five days afterwards they took leave of him, having obtained Three things which they earnestly desired: The First for the whole Body of the Cantons, viz. A Confirmation of the Privileges that had been granted to them in France; Of the other two, the one was for the Protestant Cantons, and im∣ported, That they should not be obliged to serve against those of their own Religion: The other for the little Cantons, allowing them, to continue their Alliance with Milan and Savoy, provided it were not Prejudicial to that which they had newly made with the King.

[Year of our Lord 1602] An Edict which the Chancellour had minuted against Duels, was not yet Pub∣lished. The King receiving every day Complaints how the most generous Blood of his Nobility, (idle and punctillious) was shed in these Combats, thought himself obliged to put that Curb upon so Tragical a Fury; The Edict was Pub∣lished in the Month of June. It forbad all the King's Subjects from making any Duels, or Challenges, as well within, as out of the Kingdom, under pain of the Pu∣nishment inflicted for High-Treason, viz. Death and Confiscation, as well for the Se∣conds, as for the principal Parties concerned: Ordained that Process should be made to the memory of those that should happen to be Slain in those Combats; Enjoyned the Con∣nestable and Mareschals of France, to cause such to be brought before them as had any [month June.] quarrel, and to order Reparations for the Injury; to which the Parties were to acquiesce, otherwise to incur the uttermost Displeasure of the King, and to be Banished both from the Court, and the Province.

Complaint was made that Strangers melted down the Gold and Silver, and carried it out of France, and that the manner of counting by Crowns encreased Luxury; because it cost no more to say Crowns than Livers. Upon this pretence some of the Council, by Motives not well understood, persuaded the King to raise the price of Moneys▪ so that the Gold Grown which was at Sixty Sols, was raised in value to Sixty and five; the Franc's* 1.89 which were worth Twenty Sols, to One and twenty and four Deniers; the quart d'Escus of Fifteen Sols, mounted to Six∣teen; and the Testons of Fourteen and a half, to Fifteen and a half. It was likewise ordained, That from that time forward they should account by Livers, as was used before the year 1578. when King Henry III▪ ordained they should rec∣kon by Crowns.

Those who had given this advice, desiring to have it Authorized, the King sent for the Chief of the Four Soveraign Companies, of the Chambers des Monoyes, and the principal Bourgeois and Merchants to come to the Louvre to have their Opinions. All excepting those of the Monoyes found great inconveniencies in the said Change or Alteration: Nevertheless, those that had given that Coun∣cil, persuaded the King to pass by all those Reasons to the contrary, and to force the Parliament by divers express Commands to verifie it, without having any re∣gard to the Remonstrances made by them: whom they would not allow to speak, but only to deliver what they did object in Writing.

The Preparation made by the Duke of Savoy, was for an Attempt upon Geneva. Albigny his Lieutenant General on this side the Alps, and Governor of Savoy, had the first Conceptions of it; Bernoliere Governor of Bonne perfected the De∣sign. The first chose Twelve hundred Men to execute the same on the Night of the Two and twentieth of December, led them to the foot of the Wall between [month Decemb.] the Porte-Neuve and that of la Monnoye, made them plant their Ladders which were of a marvellous Structure, and saw Three hundred Soldiers get up well Armed, and provided with good Hatchets, Pincers and Hammers; this was a∣bout two hours after Midnight. Bernoliere, who managed the whole Design, ha∣ving surprized the Sentinel, forced the Word from him, then kill'd him, and stood in his place; he did the same to the next that came the Rounds, but im∣prudently suffer'd a Boy that carried the Lauthorn to escape. The Lad ran to give the Alarm to the Court of Guard, and the whole Town: who but for this had remained in a profound quiet, resting upon the Faith of their first Syndic of the Guard, named Blondel, who was afterwards proved to be of intelligence with the Undertakers.

They had designed not to stir till just at break of day, but now finding they were discover'd, they resolved to begin the Execution. They therefore divided themselves into two Parties, went to gain the one the Porte-Neuve (or New-Gate) and the other that of the Tartaise, and of these last part of them believing the Town was already their own, broke into the Houses and fell a Plundring. The first did Petard the inward Gate: but it hapned that the Petard was not in a readiness to break open the second; that soon after their Petardier, or Gun∣ner, was Slain, and a Burgher cut the Rope which held the Port-Cullis, and made it slide down. Then was the time they should have made use of their Hatchets: But their Astonishment made them forget they had any such In∣struments.

In the mean time the Inhabitants having taken up their Arms, and gotten into a Body, came to attaque them. The Savoisiens who were gone to the Tartaise Gate, rejoyn with those at the New-Gate; This Gate is taken and retaken

[Year of our Lord 1602] three several times, Bernoliere is laid dead upon the spot; these that were with∣out do not succour them as they ought to have done, by giving hot and false Alarms at the other Gates. In fine, their great Numbers over-whelm the Sa∣voisiens, about some Fifty of them are cut off, the rest run to their Ladders; the Cannon from an opposite Bastion had batter'd them in pieces, they leap from top to bottom of the Fossez, where most of them are knock'd on the Head, and even many of those that had not been within the City. Attignac and the other Chiefs, to the number of Thirteen, defend themselves so valiantly they obtain a Capitulation with their Swords in hand: But, as you shall find, their valour re∣served them but to a more ignoble Fate.

The Duke of Savoy believed the Success so certain, that he parted from Turin four dayes before, and was come to Pont d'Estrambieres, which is within a League of Geneva. We may guess what his displeasure was, when upon his Arrival he heard Albigny Sounding a Retreat; Wherefore he returned the very next day over the Mountains in post-haste, leaving his Forces in the Countries of Foucigny, Chablais, and Ternier, and sent dispatches to the Neighbouring Princes, especially to the Swiss, to justifie his Action.

He had three colours for it; The First, That Geneva was not comprised in the Treaty of Vervins; Neither was it indeed expressed by Name: but the King maintain'd that it was included under the Name of the Allies of the Swiss. The Second, That the Inhabitants of Geneva refused to Pay him the Duties and Im∣posts for what they possessed in some Parts of the Countries subject to him, and this was true. The Third, That Lesdeguieres had contrived a Design to seize upon their City, and that he only endeavour'd to prevent him, as being more equitable it should fall into the hands of their Natural Lord, then into a Stran∣gers and an Hereticks.

The Day come, they held a Council in the Town-Hall how to dispose of their Prisoners: the wisest were of opinion to keep them as Hostages in case the Duke should have a mind to Besiege their City: but the common Rabble, and the Wi∣dows [month Decemb.] of those Citizens that had been Slain in the Attaque, made such Out-cries, that they resolved to treat them as Robbers. They therefore Strangled those that were alive, then cut off the Heads of them and Threescore more that were dead; planted them upon the Walls, and cast their Bodies into the Rhosne.

They make mention of a Damoisselle Wife of Sonnas one of the said Thirteen Officers, that had Seven Children by him, and was great with the Eighth, who having resolved neither to eat nor drink till she had once more kissed her dear Husband, and the Magistrates having refused to let her have his Head, she sat her self just opposite to the place where they had planted it, and kept her Eyes ever fixt upon that dismal Object of her Love, and her Dispair, till Death depri∣ved her both of her Sight and Life.

It hapned after some good distance of time, that Blondel Syndic of the Guards was accused by certain Persons of having had intelligence with Albigny: but they being of the Scum of the People, his Authority was enough alone to inva∣lidate their Testimony; so that the Business had rested there, if himself, to his Misfortune, had not push'd it on too far, by contending to have them punished as Calumniators. The necessity of a Self defence, drove them to search out for Proofs; They alledged that he had sent Letters to d'Albigny by a Savoyard Pea∣sant. The difficulty was to meet with this Fellow, three years were spent be∣fore they could get a sight of him; so soon as he appeared Blondel made him Pri∣soner, and had put him down into a Dungeon. He thought by his very rough handling to force him to be willing to ••leer him: But finding he persisted in the Truth, he suborn'd the Goaler, who strangled him in the Dungeon, and left the Rope about his Neck, as if the poor wretch had exercised that Cruelty upon himself. The truth of the Fact being discover'd by Inspe∣ction of the Place and Circumstances, Blondel and the Goaler were broke upon the Wheel; The first before he died, owning his Correspondence with the Savoyards.

[Year of our Lord 1603] The News of this Enterprize being carried into Swisserland and France, the [month January, February, &c.] Canton of Bearn immediately concern'd themselves for the defence of Geneva, the King assured them of his Protection, and a Thousand or Twelve hundred Hu∣guenots put themselves into the Place to defend it in case it were attaqued. This People turbulent and proud of the Support of the Protestants and that of France, gave themselves up to their resentments, and began a War against the Duke of

Savoy: but with much more Fury than either Force or Success. Now the King, [Year of our Lord 1603] whatever kindness he bare to Geneva, had an interest to make up an Accommo∣dation: For if it went farther, he knew himself obliged to assist the Huguenots, and joyn all the Protestant Party together, which would mightily have shock'd the Pope, whom he more dreaded than all the Powers upon Earth. For this rea∣son he gave Order to Emery de Vic his Ambassador with the Swiss, to come to Geneva and dispose them to Peace, and at the same time declared to the Duke of Savoy who armed to Besiege that City, that if he proceeded any further he must concern himself.

The consideration and weight of so great a Power, put a full stop to their Motions on either hand, and brought them to a Peace. The Cantons of Glaris, Soleure, Scaffhauss••n, Basil, and Appenzel, the least interessed of the Thirteen, undertook to manage it. It was first begun at Remilly, and finished at Saint Ju∣lian's near Geneva the One and twentieth of July, and ratified by the Duke the Five and twentieth. The Treaty contained, That they should mutually restore the Places which had been taken; That the Immunities and Exemptions which those of Ge∣neva enjoy'd for what they Possessed in the Territories of the Duke, should be Confirmed: That the Duke should not draw any Forces together, raise any Fortifications, nor keep any Garrisons, within four Leagues of their City; and that it was declared to be com∣prized in the Treaty of Vervins.

The Court passed the Winter after their wonted manner: Dancing, Gaming, Feasts, Balls, and Comedies, especially those of the Italians, were their daily Divertisements. In the beginning of March, the King took a journey to Mets, [month January and February.] carrying the Queen along with him, who on the two and twentieth of the pre∣ceding November, was delivered of her first Daughter. The chief Motive of this Voyage was to discover what practices the Duke of Bouillon might possibly have contrived with the Protestants of Germany, and secure the City of Mets, which being at that time in great combustion, might have sided with some other [month March.] Party.

The Duke of Espernon having been settled in that important Government by King Henry III. had left the Lieutenancy both of that City and Country in the hands of a Gentleman named Mont-Cassin his Kinsman, and that of the Citadel to Sobole of the House of Cominges, who had been bred as his Page. Soon after having recalled Mont-Cassin near his person, he bestowed both those employ∣ments on the second; he invited a younger Brother to come into that Country, a man violent and covetous, and who soon gained the full sway over him. Now the Elder Sobole having brought some assistance to the King at the Siege of Laon, got of him, as the reward for his Services the promise of these Lieutenancies, his Master being then in Provence and in disfavour at Court with this new power, playing Rex, he begins to treat the Inhabitants scurvily, and enraged that the Duke seemed to justifie their complaints, and foment their discontents, he by the advice of his younger Brother, Accused the principal Citizens and Officers of Justice, of having intelligence with Mansfeld Governor of Luxembourg; upon this Information several were imprison'd, and had been put to the Rack. But, in fine, the business being brought before the Parliament, their innocency and the calumny of Soboles were cleerly made known. Then the Duke makes no difficulty of espousing the quarrel of the oppressed, so that they barricade them∣selves to besiege Soboles in the Citadel. This Mutiny proved the loss of the two ingrateful Brothers: but the Duke got nothing but the pleasure of a revenge. For the King making hast to treat with them, pressed it so home, that before his Arrival they Surrendred the place into his hands, without making the least ad∣vantage to themselves. He settled Francis de Montigny la Grange Lieutenant for the King over that Country and that City, and Arquien his Elder Brother in the Citadel, under the Government notwithstanding of the Duke D'Espernon; who feigned to be very well satisfied, though he fore-saw he should have no power in those parts so long as the King lived.

Ever since the Kings absolution at the Court of Rome, the Jesuits had missed no opportunity of employing the Popes intercession, with all their art and indu∣stry to sollicite their re-establishment, pretending it was one of the secret con∣ditions which had been opposed at his absolution. But the imprudent conduct of some of their Society in England, at Venice, and in the lesser Cantons of Swiz∣zerland, having brought complaints against them to Rome, the Pope grew some∣what cold in the pursu••e of it. Now as the King was passing by Verdun, the

[Year of our Lord 1603] Rector and Fathers of the Colledge in that City, incouraged by la Varenne, pre∣sented themselves to request of him that the Decree of the Parliament of Paris, which forbid the French to send any of their Children to study in the Jesuits Colledges, might not extend to theirs. The King having returned them a very Gracious Answer, they thought it a fit time to try a little further. Their Provincial named Armand, and three or four of his, came to Mets, and chusing the week of the Passion of our Lord, most proper to stir up mercy and compas∣sion in a Christian Soul, got into the Kings Closset upon Holy-Thursday after noon, and fell down at his feet. The good Prince soon raized them agen, and gave them a full Audience. The Provincial who was Spokes-man, insinuates himself, by extolling of his Victories and his Clemency, then endeavour'd to justifie his Society from the common reproaches of their Enemies, and afterwards conclu∣ded by conjuring and imploring his Royal Clemency by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ to shew mercy towards them, and to do it in such sort, that this fa∣vour might depend on nothing but his own goodness, that it might be wholly from him alone, and that they might have no obligation but to himself.

They had put down their harangue in writing: after he had heard it with all possible humanity, he took it out of their hands as if to read it with more atten∣tion. The Monday following having called them a second time into his Closet, he gave them his positive word for their being restored, commanded the Provincial to come to him at Paris and to bring Father Cotton, then embraced him and all his Compagnons, in token he freely forgave them for the time past, and would make use of them for the time to come.

While he was at Mets, he received some Letters the Prince Palatine had written in favour of the Duke of Bouillon his Brother in Law. In the same place some German Princes came to Compliment him, particularly Maurice Land∣grave of Hesse, N. de Bavaria Duke of Newburg, the Duke of Deux-Ponts of the same House, and John George of Brandenburg, who disputed the Bishoprick of Strasburg with Charles Cardinal of Lorrain ever since the year 1592. the first ha∣ving been Elected by the Protestants at Strasburgh, and the second by the Catho∣licks at Saverne. The Emperor had often endeavour'd to bring them to an agree∣ment, but could never effect it. The King rather suspended then decided the controversy; by sharing the Revenue between the two Contenders: but the fol∣lowing year it was absolutely and finally determined by the mediation of Frede∣rick Duke of Wirtemberg, upon these conditions, amongst many others, That John George of Brandenburg should entirely yield up the Bishoprick to the Cardinal de Lorrain, for an hundred and thirty thousand Crowns of Gold ready Money, and that the City and Baillywike of Ober••agh should remain in the hands of Frederic, re∣deemable at the end of thirty years by the Cardinal or his Successors, for the sum of four hundred thousand Crowns.

From Mets the King went to Nancy to visit the Dutchess of Bar his Sister, and to give her the satisfaction of seeing a Balet danced which was of her own invention; for such things are not to be counted the least important Affairs of the Court. It was likewise, as some would have it, further to convince the Duke of Bar of his scruples concerning that Marriage, and to let him know that the devoir of Man towards his Wife being founded both on a natural and a di∣vine right, ought to be more regarded then humane prohibitions. However it was, within some few Months after, the Dutchess believed she was with Child.

The King had designed a longer stay upon those Frontiers, that he might draw the German Princes to him, by making himself a friendly Mediator of their differences, reconciling as much as possible the Protestants with the Catholicks, re-uniting in one common League, those that apprehended they might be op∣pressed [month April.] by the grandeur of the House of Austria, and scattering Money amongst the Captains and Officers. But the News he received that Elizabeth Queen of England was at the Agony, made him suddenly leave that place to return to Paris.

This Princess so much exalted by the Protestants, and made so black by the zealous Catholicks, was in truth worthy of immortal praise for the grandeur of her courage, her marvellous prudence, the rare qualities of her mind, and above all that tender love [☞] wherewith she cherished her people, a vertue which may well cover all the other Vices in a Soveraign: but her reputation will be for ever stained with the Blood of a Queen her Cousin, which she spilt upon a Scaffold, and with that of a great number of Catholicks

her Subjects, whom she exposed to cruel deaths. This severity, notwithstanding pro∣ceeded [Year of our Lord 1603] not so much from her own temper as the Instances of her Counsellors. Who by reason of the frequent Conspiracies, hatched by an indiscreet and unwarrantable zeal [month April.] against her person, had specious opportunities to involve the innocent with the guilty, and to encrease her hatred to that Religion by the hainousness of those attempts. She died the fourth of April about four in the morning, Aged sixty nine years and six months, of which She had Reigned forty five and more.

On her Death-Bed she gave Letters written with her own hands, and sealed with her own Seal, to Robert Cecil High Treasurer and Secretary, with Command he should open them so soon as she expir'd. Now whether by these writings she had declared James Steward King of Scotland her Successor, or had left the liberty of Election to her Subjects, as the last mark of her affection, the Lords, the Bishops, those of the Privy-Council to the late Queen, with a great number of the Nobility, and the Major and Sheriffs of London, being on the same day assembled early in the Morning at the Guild-Hall, Elected that Prince for their King; and so speedily, that they Proclaim∣ed him by eight of the Clock; whereof sending him notice to Edinburg, he came to Lon∣don the seventeenth day of May.

It concerned France to take care in time to secure the Alliance with this new King, for that hitherto his correspondence and interests had been with the Spa∣niard, his whole Council held that byass, the inclinations of his Wife Anne of Denmark, who had much influence over him, were turned towards them, and it was not to be doubted but that the Catholicks, who were numerous in England, and even all the people, because of the advantage of Trade, much more consi∣derable from Spain then France, would use all their endeavours to oblige him to Treat with King Philip. It was therefore thought fit to send Rosny on the Em∣bassy: [month May.] for it was believed that he being of the Protestant Religion, his mediation would be the more acceptable, and that they would look upon him as a Minister who knew the Kings greatest secrets; besides that his words would have the greater influence upon King James's Counsellors, because he had the Purse where∣with to guild his Arguments and make them the more efficacious.

He had order to demand of that Prince, first the continuation of his Amity, and Alliances with the King; afterwards to sound whether he would incline to assist the United Provinces against the Spaniards. If he did not do it frankly to proceed warily, and not discover the private designs of the King against the House of Austria: but if he did find him disposed, to lay open the Methods whereby to destroy that grandeur, and reduce it within the limits of Spain only, and their Hereditary Countries in Germany; For this purpose to make a League [month May.] wherein should enter the Kings of Denmark and Sweden, who should first attaque the Low-Countries and then the Indies, to be shared amongst the Confederates; and to set up at the same time a potent Caball in Germany to take the Imperial Crown from him. He was also commanded, if he found the overtures favourable, to de∣sire that King to put a stop to the English Piracies, who since the Peace of Ver∣vins, under colour of a War with Spain, had taken for above Three Millions be∣longing to the French; As likewise to demand that the French who Traded in England, might enjoy the same Privileges and Franchises as the English en∣joy'd in France, by the Treaty made between King Charles IX. and Queen Eliza∣beth, Anno 1572.

[month June.] His whole Negociation is to be seen at length in his Memoirs, and how he brought back a Treaty into France made the Five and twentieth of June, by which, the Prince promised in his own Name, and Rosny in the Name of the King; of which he made great use, though he had no express Commission for it, to re∣new and strengthen the Ancient, and never interrupted Alliances between France and Scotland, and those between the late Queen Elizabeth and King Henry IV. That a League should be concluded between the two Kings, for the Defence of their respective Kingdoms, Persons, and Subjects, and of their Allies: Especially of the United Provin∣ces, whom they should forthwith assist with Powerful Succours, which should be raised in England, but pay'd by the King of France, the one half in Deduction for what he might be indebted to the English; That if either the one or the other were Attaqued by the Spaniard, his Allie should assist him with a Land Army, or a Fleet of Ships, at the choice of him who should be so Assaulted, which should consist, at the least, of Six Thousand fighting Men; That if both should at the same time be Assailed, or should

[Year of our Lord 1603] become Assailants, each on his part should make War upon the Common Enemy: Henry with Twenty thousand Men, whom he should send into the Low-Countries, and a con∣siderable number of Galleys and other Vessels into the Mediterraneum. And James with a Body of Six thousand Men by Land, and two strong Fleets which he should send the one upon the Coasts of Spain, the other towards the Indies.

Before this Treaty the King had been greatly afflicted with a Retention of Urine, caused, as was said, by an Excrescence stopping up that Channel. The Danger was so eminent, that believing he should die, he had begun to dispose of the Government during the Minority of his Son.

When he was Cured, he applied himself as before to his Buildings, and in procuring Money to be more plentiful and of a quicker Circulation in his King∣dom, thereby to make his Subsidies flow in both more abundantly and more rea∣dily. Trade appearing to him to be one of the most certain means and wayes [month June.] leading to that end, it was the Ardent desire of his Heart to make it grow and flourish, having the foregoing year erected a Chamber or Council for that end, composed of Officers belonging to his Parliament, the Chamber des Comptes, and the Cour des Aides. And because he was not Potent enough at Sea, and by that way the Expence was great, and the Profit a long time and very uncertain in its coming, he thought to succeed better and sooner by Home-Manufactures. There∣fore he set up of divers sorts; Tapestries of the richest Fabrick in the Faux-Bourg Sainct Marceau, by means of divers excellent Artists whom he invited thither from Flanders: Guilt-Leather Hangings in the Faux-Bourg Sainct Honorē and Sainct Jacques; Mills to work and cleave Iron with ease, and to cut the same in∣to several pieces, which were Built on the River of Estampes; Gaases and thinn Linnen Cloath at Mantes upon the Seine; Pot-works for coarse and fine Earthen Wares of all sorts at Paris, Nevers, and Brisambourg in Saintonge: Glass-houses for Chrystaline in imitation of the Venetians, at Paris, and Nevers. (There had been formerly some at Sainct Germains en Laye in the Reign of Henry II. but the Wars had extinguisht the Furnaces.) Cloath and Serges; Stuffs and Silks in divers Parts of the Kingdom, and several other things.

The Manufacture of Silks was that which took most with the generality, and promised the greatest Profit. The use of it first began in the East even with the beginning of the Persian Monarchy; The Romans having penetrated those Coun∣tries by their Conquests, could easily have brought away the Art and Use of it, but despised it, fearing to render themselves effeminate by those softer Garments, much fitter for tender amorous Youths and Women, than the more rough and martial Men. Afterwards their Courage growing indeed effeminate, they suf∣fer'd it to be introduced in the lesser Asia and in Greece, about the time of the Empire of Justinian. Then towards the year 1130. it made a step into Sicilia and Calabria, by means of Roger King of Cicilia, who upon his return from an Expedition to the Holy-Land, having taken Athens, Corinth and Thebes, trans∣ported all such as wrought in Silk to Panormus. Of them the Sicilians learned to breed up those Worms that make the Silk, to Spin, and Weave it, and afterwards brought the Art into Italy and Spain.

From Italy it came first into the hottest Parts of France, as Provence, the Comtat of Avignon, and Languedoc; Francis I. setled it in Touraine, thinking to make great Profit by it. Nevertheless it was not common in France for a long time, for King Henry II. was the first who wore Silk Stockings at his Sister's Wedding. [month June.] Yet till those Troubles hapned, which turned the whole Kingdom upside-down (under the Reigns of Charles IX, and Henry III. the Courtiers did not use much Silk, but after that the very Citizens began to wear it frequently. For 'tis a most certain Observation, that Pride and Luxury does never spread so much as during Publick Calamities; For which I can guess at no other reason, but that it is a Curse from Heaven which ever comes hand in hand with the Plague of Ci∣vil War.

Now King Henry IV. believing this Manufacture might in like manner be set up at Paris, treated with certain Undertakers who Built several places in the Tuilleries, the Castle of Madrid, and at Fontainebleau, to breed Silk-Worms, (they sending every year into Spain for the Eggs) and gave order for the plant∣ing great Numbers of white Mullberry-Trees, and raising Nurseries of them in all the adjacent Parishes, the Leaves of those Trees serving as Pasture for those pre∣cious Worms or Catterpillers.

[Year of our Lord 1603] In the year 1599. he had by Edict Prohibited all Foreign Manufactures, as well of Silk, as Gold, Silver, pure or mixt, at the request of the Merchants of Tours, who pretended to make quantities sufficient to furnish the whole Kingdom. But as those kind of Establishments accommodate only the Undertakers, and incom∣mode all others, it was soon found, that this Project ruined the City of Lyons, which may justly be called the Golden Gate of France, destroy'd their Fairs, and withal diminished the Customs by one half. These Considerations tendred to the King, as he was never obstinate to prefer his absolute Authority to evident Reason and Demonstration, he made no scruple to revoke it.

In the Month of June, Ferdinand de Velasco Constable of Castille passed thorow France on his way to England to finish that Treaty of Peace with King James, which Taxis the Ambassador in Ordinary from Spain had begun. I shall here ob∣serve, that he concluded it about the middle of June in the following year: to the great regret of the King of France, who knew by this what he was to hope for from King James, a Prince heedless and timorous, a Philosopher in words, yet having nothing but the meen of a Soldier: And who withal was not yet so well setled in England, as to venture or dare to shock any one of his Neigh∣bours.

[month May, June, July, &c.] Divers things caused great inquietudes in the King; There were some which troubled his Divertisements, and others that tended to the disturbance of his Kingdom. The Jealousies the Queen his Wife had of his Amours; the Malice of his Mistresses, especially the Marchioness de Verneuil; the heats of the Count de Soissons, which many times broke out upon Points of Honor, for the most part rather imaginary then real, and the Insolency's of the Duke d'Espernon were of the first sort. The procedure of the zealous Catholicks, who sought by oblique Methods to engage him to ruin the Huguenots, as on the opposite the Discontents of the Huguenots who endeavour'd to Cantonize that they might not be taken un∣provided, were of the second.

We shall Discourse of the two first Points hereafter. As for the Count de Soissons, being already much offended for that Rosny had refused to allow him a certain Impost upon Linnen-Cloath, which he begg'd of the King, the false Re∣ports made to him by the Marchioness of Verneuil, push'd him on to such an ex∣tremity of resentment: that he talked of nothing but to be revenged by the Death of Rosny; and although the King did openly enough take part with this last, he could never allay the Count's Passion, but by obliging Rosny to disown by a Publick Writing, what he was accused to have spoken of the Count, and offer to fight any Man that durst maintain the contrary.

The Brave Grillon had suffer'd himself to be persuaded to lay down his Com∣mand of Mestre de Camp in the Regiment of Guards, the Duke of Espernon Collonel of the French Infantry, took it to be his Right to Nominate; the King would retrench that Right, and had destin'd it for Crequy Son-in-Law to Lesdi∣guieres. Espernon after having made all his efforts by Intrigues and by Remon∣strances, to maintain his pretended Right, retired Male-content to Angoulesme: Nevertheless being informed the King threatned to follow him, he was ad∣vised to submit to his Pleasure: When the King saw he acquiesced obediently, he did him Justice; for he order'd Crequy to wait upon him in that Country, to make Oath to him, and to take his Attach on his Provisions.

However he reserved the disposal of that Office, and the like in all other the old Bodies: but would have them be subject to the same Devoirs towards their Collonel: That when two Companies hapned to be vacant in the Regiment, he would fill up one by Nomination of the Collonel, who should not be installed, nor take place, but from the day they had given their Oaths to that Officer, and taken his Attache: That as for the like Officers in other Regiments, the Col∣lonel should Nominate, and he choose Captains out of those so named; and as to the Lieutenants, Ensign-Collonels, Sergeant-Majors, and their Ayds, Prevosts, Mareschaux de Logis, and other Officers, he should dispose of such by his sole Au∣thority. Which raised his Power above that of Princes, and almost in a condi∣tion to make Head against the King himself.

[month June.] In the Council his Ministers animated with Zeal against the Huguenots, and too much persuaded of the Spanish Grandeur, endeavour'd to divide the King from the Protestants, to reduce him to an entire submission to the Pope, to bring in the Jesuits, and to unite him with Spain and Rome, thereby to extirpate Calvinisme from all his Territories. Taxis Ambassadour from the Catholick King, offer'd

[Year of our Lord 1603] him all the Forces of Spain for that purpose, representing that the Huguenots were the greatest Enemies to his Person, and often had sollicited King Philip to help them to dethrone him. He was, indeed, but too well informed that the Chiefs of the Huguenots, as Bouillon, la Trimouille his Brother in Law, Du Plessis-Mornay, Lesdiguieres, and some Gentlemen that were his Domesticks, but had quitted him when he went to Mass, and almost all the Protestant Ministers, had no more that Love for him which otherwhile they had shown, but sighed after some other Protector. He could not, how-ever, resolve to treat those as Ene∣mies who had so tenderly nursed and bred him up, and had Sacrificed every thing for his sake; and he consider'd withal, that if he could have forgot their emi∣nent Services, he must thereby have alienated from him all the Protestant Prin∣ces, and have remained alone exposed to the Mercy of the same Power and Per∣sons that had formed the League, which was what they desired. He chose there∣fore rather to restrain the hatred of particulars, without designing, or indeed daring, to fall upon the whole Body of them.

The Duke de la Trimouille was he who discovering himself with most Confi∣dence, rendred himself the most Criminal, not so much by Actions, as by his Discourses. His Strength lay in Poitou, where he had his Estate and Friends; The King to destroy his Credit and his Intelligences, thought fit to give the Go∣vernment to Rosny; And to this effect, knowing that Malicorne and the Mares∣chal de Laverdin, who had the Reversion the one after the other, were content [month Novemb.] to part with it, and that they even offer'd it him for some of his Children, he gave them Twenty thousand Crowns reward, that he might bestow it on his Super-Intendant.

A little while before, about the beginning of October, the Huguenots had held a [month October.] Synod at Gap in Daufiné, where they made several Reiglements for their Eccle∣siastical Discipline. Amongst others, That the Word of God should be the sole foundation of their Theology and their Sermons; That those Scholastick Di∣sputes wont to be used in their Synods, should be sent back to their Schools; That they should have no Effigies upon their Tombs, nor Coats of Arms or Escutions in their Temples. They likewise ordained many things for the main∣tenance and good order of their Colleges and Academies, and for the instituting of Seminaries and Libraries in each Province.

One of their main ends, was to conciliate the Lutherans with the Zuinglians and Calvinists: for the first were a more bitter Enemy to these than to the Ca∣tholicks themselves: they invited therefore some Doctors of the Palatinat who were Calvinists, and some others from divers Parts of Germany who were Luthe∣rans [month Novemb.] to come thither. After they had heard them all, they thought there could be no better way to suppress and silence the Discords between them, than by turning the Heat and Hatred of both Parties against the Pope, whom they knew to be their common Foe. With this Prospect, the more Factious caused it to be decreed that from thenceforward it should be one Article of Faith amongst them, That the Pope was the Anti-Christ, and in that quality should be inserted in their Confession, which should be sent and recommended to all the Protestant Churches in Christendom.

The Minister Ferrier, possessed with an impious and turbulent Ambition, was chief Promoter of it. The more Prudent amongst them, even the great Scaliger, condemned this Decree, as the monstrous Product of a violent Cabal, and ac∣knowledged that the Name of Anti-Christ could no way be suteable or appro∣priate to Clement VIII. who was very moderate towards those of their Religion. The Pope's Nuncio and the whole Clergy of France were moved and provoked at it as became them, and carried their Complaints to the King; who thought him∣self more concerned and affronted yet than they, as by consequence reproaching him that he worshipped the Beast, and which was more, cut him out very dange∣rous work at Rome. He therefore made use of all his Authority, and all the in∣terest he had in those of greatest Credit amongst the Huguenot Party, to get them to abolish the said Decree; But not being able to persuade them to annul it, he did however so order things that it remained (unexecuted, and) only in the Heads of those that forged it. Four years after, viz. in Anno 1607. the Factious brought it again above-board, and got it confirmed in their Assembly at Rochell; And for the second time, also, he hindred the effect of it.

After his Voyage of Mets, the Jesuits earnestly sollicited to be recalled: they had grand intrigues at Court, they had very potent friends there, who urged

that none but they were capable to instruct youth, and to convert the Hugue∣nots. [Year of our Lord 1603] Father Cotton who never forsook the Court but preached there with great applause summon'd the King day by day to make good his promise, the Nuncio press'd him on behalf of his Holiness, Villeroy and Sillery joyned their good Of∣fices, but their most prevalent Sollicitor was William Fouquet la Varenne, Comp∣troller General of the Post-Office, who from the meanest imployments of the Kings House, had raised himself to the Cabinet or Closet, by those complaisan∣ces and Ministeries, which are the most agreeable to the great ones. This dex∣trous Courtier had a huge fancy to enrich and illustrate la Flesche the place of his Nativity, and whereof the King had given him the Government: he had alrea∣dy set up a Presidial, an Election, and a Salt-work, all of a new Creation: the Crown of his desires was now to see a Colledge of Jesuits Established there; to this end the King had given him his Palace, had assigned eleven thousand Crowns of Revenue, and vast Sums of ready Money to build and to maintain it; and gave order that his heart and that of his Queen, and of all his Successors should be buried in their Church there.

When his intentions on this Subject were made known, there was not one in all the Council that durst open his lips against it. He therefore gave them an Edict for their re-establishment, Which confirmed them in those Houses from whence they had not been expell'd, restored them to those of Lyons and Dijon, and to all that belonged to them; yet not without several conditions very necessary, but which time or favour have easily abolished.

[month September October, and November.] This Edict being not brought to the Parliament till some few dayes before the vacations, which begin on the eighth of September, the Company put off the bu∣siness till after Sainct Martins day, that it might be considered at more leisure. The Chambers Assembled ordered to make most humble remonstrances to the King, to let him know the justice and necessity of that Decree or Act, by which they had banished the Society. The Month of December being pass'd whilst they were drawing it up, André Huraud de Maisse who had a Vote in Parliament, [month Decemb.] went thither from the King to hasten them, and to let them understand, he would have them to do it by word of Mouth, and not in Writing, (contrary to what he had desired of them in the Money-business.) Upon Christmas Eve the Deputies being admitted into the Kings Closet, Achilles de Harlay first President spake for them.

The weight of his reasons supported by the dignity of so grave a Magistrate, and with the force of his Eloquence, were enough to have convinced the King, had he not been absolutely fixed in his resolution: but as he gave Audience to those Gentlemen only to make the Restoration of the Society the more authen∣tique, he was not at all moved. After his giving thanks to the Members of Par∣liament, with his accustomed benignity, for the care they shewed of the com∣mon good, and for the security of his person, he replied, that he had well foreseen and considered all those objections, and inconveniencies which they laid before him: but that they must trust him with the care of providing against those, and desired that his Edict might be verified without any modification. The Officers belonging to the King did notwithstanding delay the dispatch of it, and essay'd to put some stop to the verification: but the King having sent for them treated them with rough Language, and enjoyned them to set about it that very day; they were therefore forced to obey.

[Year of our Lord 1604] Thus the ignominy of the Jesuits banishment, served to heighten the glory of their return, and to procure them a more noble establishment; For in lieu of [month January.] ten or twelve Colledges which they had before, in a short time they got eight or nine additional ones in the best Cities of the Kingdom, as invited with great civility by divers, and admitted into others by force of Orders and Inter∣est of Friends; they now saw themselves installed in a Royal Palace, which they made their most sumptuous Colledge; And that condition in the Edict which obliged them, to have always attending upon the King one of their Society, a Frenchman, and sufficiently authorized amongst them, to serve him as a Preacher, or Chaplain, and to be responsible for the actions of the Com∣pany, instead of blemishing, as those imagin'd who had thrust it in, proved to them the greatest honour they possibly could desire, for it impowred them to give Confessors to the King.

Father Cotton was the first of theirs that held that place: all honest people did mightily rejoyce, imagining he could shew no connivence for the

[Year of our Lord 1604] Kings amours, but that he would make use together with his mildness and pru∣dence, of the power of his Ministery, which certainly was most necessary to cure him of an infirmity that was become habitual. He did not want for quali∣ties proper to make him successful either within the sphear of the Court or of the wider World: his circumspection, his complaisance, and dexterity to lay hold of time and opportunities, did soon insinuate into the Kings favour, and oft-times into his very bosom and most retired thoughts.

[Year of our Lord 1605] I shall say once for all the Credit of these Jesuits was so great at Court, that the following year they prevailed to have that Pyramid demolished, upon one face whereof was engraved the Sentence of Chastels Condemnation, and their Banishment, and on the other three divers Inscriptions in Verse and Prose very byting and very injurious to them. To take away the Brand-mark from the fore∣head of the Society, they must pull down that Monument which taught men to curse that hellish Parricide. It was desired it might have been done by a Decree of Parliament: but when they found the Sentiments of that great Company were quite contrary, they did it without further application to them: tho not without giving the World a just occasion to speak variously concerning it. In the place of that Pyramid they made a Conduit or Fountain, all whose streams of Water though cleer and plentiful shall never be able to wash away the memory of so horrid a Crime.

[Year of our Lord 1604] At the beginning of the year, the death of Madam Catherine Dutchess of [month February.] Bar, interrupted the divertisements of the Court, and cloathed it in Mourning. A tumor in her Womb, (which her Physicians, Flatterers, and Ignorants affirmed to be a true conception and treated her accordingly) made her lose her life the thirteenth day of February in the City of Nancy. To be reconciled with her Husband, she had divers times suffer'd disputes of Religion between some of the Catholick Doctors and her Ministers, but with no other success then what the like Conferences are wont to produce, viz. to make the truth more obscure. She had also given some hopes that she should be instructed: not withstanding she obstinately persisted in her first belief to her very death.

[month March and April.] The secret consultations and resolutions of the Council of France were known to the Council of Spain, almost as soon as they were taken, the King was mighti∣ly troubled at it, and knew not at whose door to lay the blame; the discovery of the Treachery of Nicholas l'Hoste, brought it to light. This was a young Clerk of Villeroy's, whom his Master employ'd in deciphering Letters and dispatches. He was Son of one his Domesticks, and his own Godson; he bred him up in his own house, and for his first employment placed him with Rochepot whilst he was Ambassador in Spain. In that Country a Frenchman named Rasis a Native of Bourdeaux, (who for his having been too hot a Leaguer, could not attain the Kings permission to remain in France, and therefore was retired to Madrid) corrupted and prevail'd with him to accept a Pension of twelve hundred Crowns to betray the secrets of his Master; and after his return into France he continued to earn it by the same infidelity. Now Rasis at length finding they neglected to pay him his own allowance discover'd this intrigue to Barraut the French Am∣bassador: Barraut assured him of a good reward, and to get a par∣don for him; In effect they sent him one immediately: but when he found it was Signed by Villeroy, he judged it would not be safe for him to stay any long∣er in Spain, and desired to be gone at soonest. The Ambassador therefore lent him Money and his Secretary to conduct him into France.

His fears were just, for so soon as the Council of Spain knew of their depar∣ture, they gave notice of it to their Ambassador in France, by an express Cour∣rier, who got thither two dayes before them. They did not find Villeroy at Paris, but at a house of his own name on his way to Fontainbleau where the Court was. He did not think fit to send presently to apprehend l'Hoste who was yet at Paris, till he had first spoken to the King; the next day l'Hoste came to Fon∣tainebleau, but as soon as he spied Rasis he immediately slunk away, the Spanish Am∣bassador having appointed a Flemming to conduct him to the Low-Countries by Champagne.

The Provost des Mareschaux hastens to overtake them, and pursues him so [month May.] Close, that the unfortunate fellow had not time to get into the Ferry-boat, hard by la Ferté: but hearing the noise of Horses, (it was in the night) ventures to wade cross the Marne and was drowned. It is not known whether by chance or dispair, or whether his Guide played him that fly trick, to prevent the disco∣very

of his Accomplices. His Body was brought to Paris, the Parliament made [Year of our Lord 1604] his Process, and Condemned him to be drawn by four Horses in Gréve, which was Executed the nineteenth of May. Such as were Enemies to Villeroy rejoy∣ced at this misfortune: they would willingly have charged his Servants fault on him, but not daring to Accuse him of infidelity, they taxed him with negligence. The King was for some days a little reserved towards him, however considering his great and real grief, and the necessity of his Services, instead of adding to his affliction, he took part with him, and had the generosity to console him.

The Council of Spain were in dispair for that the French passed in great num∣bers to the Service of the Hollanders, and every year the King furnished those Provinces with six hundred thousand Livers in ready Money. These succours had put King Philip to so great an expence, that not knowing where to get any more Cash, he laid an Impost of thirty per Cent. upon all Goods imported into his Dominions, or exported thence. The King could not suffer such exaction, which en∣riched his Enemies to the loss of his Subjects: he prohibited all Commerce to the Low-Countries and Spain; and observing that the appetite of gain tempted the Merchants, who for the most part value no other Soveraign but their Interest, to infringe his Laws, he added great penalties to it. This was to begin a rupture, the Spaniard set a good face upon it, as if they much desired it: but under-hand sollicited the Popes mediation: who put an end to this dispute by perswading them to take off the new impost o•• the one hand, and the prohibition on the other.

Not daring openly to revenge himself upon the King, he endeavoured at least to contrive some private means to perplex and displease him. Taxis, his Ambas∣sador, had concern'd himself in the intrigues of the Morchioness de Vernevil; Balthazar de Suniga, who succeeded him, follow'd his Foot-steps, and held secret correspondence with five or six Italians who absolutely governed the Queen, particularly Conchino Conchini a noble Florentine, and Leonora Galigay, a Bed-Chamber woman to that Princess, whom Conchini had Married. She was the homeliest Creature about the Court, and of very abject birth: but that great Empire she had over her Mistress, repaired all the defects both of her person and condition.

The King as weak in his passions and domestick Affairs, as valiant and rough in War, had neither the heart to reduce his Wife to obedience, nor to rid his hands of his Mistresses, who were cause of all his Domestick broils. Those lit∣tle Italian people, to render themselves more necessary, exasperated the spirits they should have allay'd, and by the malignity of their Reports and Councils en∣creased the Queens discontents; so that instead of reclaiming the King by allu∣ring Caresses (for he would be flattered) and endeavouring to regain his affe∣ction with the same Arts others made use of to steal it from her, she made him loath her Society with her Eternal grumblings and bitter reproaches. This con∣test betwixt Man and Wife was the perpetual business of the Court; their Con∣fidents were no less busily employ'd in these Negociations, then the Council was in the most important Affairs of State; and this disorder lasted as long as their Marriage, being sometimes quieted and laid asleep for a few days, then wak'd and rouz'd agen by fresh occasions, and accordingly as those Boutefeux thought fit.

[month March, April, &c.] The Marchioness, on her part crafty and coquette, used all her artifice to main∣tain those fewds, which maintain'd her felicity. Amongst her Jests with which she made the King merry, she often mixed some insolencies against the Queen, and upon divers occasions would make her self her equal, spake meanly of her extraction, and then would counterfeit the Gate, her gestures, and her way of speaking. These offences did so much heighten the resentments of this Princess, that she with outragious Language threatned a severe Revenge; the Marchioness having reason therefore to apprehend more then a bare affront: and withal displeased with the King for not taking her part, made use of an ar∣tifice common enough amongst those Female Politicians when designing to revive a dying passion: She feigned to be touched with a remorse of Conscience and Christian sorrow: the fear of God, said she, would suffer her no more to think of what was past but only to do penance for it, and that of her own life, and Childrens forbid her to see the King in private. She went yet farther, and beg∣ged leave of him to seek a Sanctuary out of the Kingdom for her and hers.

This Artifice had not at first its effect: for the Holy time of Easter approach∣ing, he was resolved to take her at her word, and to give her leave to retire in∣to England, where she might have the Duke of Lenox her neer Kinsman to sup∣port

[Year of our Lord 1604] her, but not to carry her Children. As to the rest, to qualifie the Queens discontent, he desired she should surrender up the Promise of Marriage he had given her, and with which she made so much noise, shewing it to any one that had the curiosity to see it. His intreaties were not prevalent enough, he was obliged to make use of his Authority, together with Twenty thousand Crowns in Money, and the hopes of a Mareschal's Staff for the Father. Upon which Con∣ditions she deliver'd it in the presence of some Princes and Lords, who verified, and witnessed in Writing that it was the Original.

After all this, the Queen being satisfied, and the Marchioness appearing no more, the Tempest seemed to be allay'd, when the King discover'd that En∣tragues, Father of the said Lady, and the Count d'Auvergne had contrived a dan∣gerous design with King Philip's Ambassador; It was to convey the Marchioness into Spain with her Children; which was negociated with Balthazar de Suniga, Ambassador from the Catholick King, by the management of a certain Englislr Gentleman named Morgan. It was reported, whether true, or false, how the Count d'Auvergne having acquainted the Spaniards with the Promise of Marriage the King had given the Marchioness, had made a seoret Treaty with them; by which King Philip promised his assistance, to set her Son in the Throne: And to that purpose would furnish them with Five hundred thousand Livers in Money, and order the Forces he had in Catalogne to March, and second the Party who were to Cantonize in Guyenne and Languedoc. Nay▪ much more was mention'd, [month June, &c.] but few believed it, as that the Count had framed an Attempt upon the Life of the King, and that he was to dispatch him when he came to visit the Marchioness, then seize upon the Daufin.

Now after the Death of l'Hoste, the Count finding the Intrigue began to be discover'd, retired into Auvergne, upon pretence of a Quarrel which hapned to him at Court: The Business being taken into Deliberation by the Council, some gave their Opinions he ought to be treated like the Mareschal de Biron; but the King would by no means proceed after that manner: The example would have been of Consequence to his Bastards; So that the Constable, and the Duke de Ven∣tadour, the former, Father in Law to the Count, and the other his Brother [month July.] in Law, found it no difficult matter to get a Pardon for the Life of that wretched Man, upon condition however that he should Travel three years in the Levant.

When he thought himself out of Danger, he offer'd the King, if he would he pleased to give him his full Liberty, to continue his Correspondence with the Spaniards that he might discover all their Secrets, and give him a true account thereof. The King seemed to confide in his Promises, soon discover'd that he neither kept Faith with him nor his Enemies, but juggled with both. There∣upon he Commands him to Court: The Count excuses it, till he had his full and authentick Pardon; they sent it to him, but with this Clause, That he should come to the King: He could not find in his heart, to relye upon the word of a Prince whom he had so often deceived; so that the King resolved he should be Appre∣hended [month July.] in Auvergne. The Count stood much upon his guard, and thought there was no Man in the world able to surprize him being so well fore-warn'd; Not∣withstanding Nerestan, and the Baron of Eurre, having inticed him into the Field to be present at the Muster of a Company of Gens-d'armes belonging to the Duke of Vendosme, surrounded and dismounted him, and took him in such man∣ner [month Septemb. &c.] as is at length related by the Historians of those times.

At the same time Entragues and his Wife were seized in their House at Male∣sherbes, and the Marchioness in her Hostel at Paris. The Count was brought to the Bastille, and Entragues to the Conciergerie, or Common-Goal of Paris. It was necessary that all the world might see and know the Spaniards still maintained Factions in France: The King therefore commanded his Parlia∣ment to proceed against these Criminals: The event we shall shew in the next years Transactions.

Another Faction also did much discompose the King's Thoughts. He could not deny the Hugenots leave to Assemble at Chastelle••ant: and it was to be feared the Intrigues of the Mareschal de Bouillon, and Credit of the Duke de la Trimouille [month May.] and du Plessis Mornay should put them upon Resolutions contrary to his will and interest. But Rhosny under colour of going to take Possession of his Govern∣ment of Poiton, broke their measures▪ And la Trimouille falling into Convul∣sions, and then languishing, died some while after, Aged not above Four and Thirty

years. He was a Noble-man of great Courage, and of most eminent Qualities; [Year of our Lord 1604] but not of such as suited with a Monarchick state.

The King diverted himself, amidst all these Intrigues, with Buildings and other such like Occupations, when his leisure would give him leave, as tended to the improvement of his Kingdom. King Henry III. had begun the Pont-Neuf, ha∣ving built two Arches, and brought the Pyles for the rest above the Water mark, Henry IV. finish'd it, so that People began to pass over about the end of the pre∣ceding year. He carried on the Works also of the Louver Galleries, the Castles Sainct Germain en Laye, Fontainebleau, and Monceaux, which last he had bestow'd upon his Wife. After his Example, all the Great and the Rich fell to Building; the City of Paris was visibly enlarged and embellished: The Hospital Sainct Lewis was Erected, for such as were infected with the Plague. Some private people un∣dertook the Place, (or Square) Royal: and others offer'd to make a much finer one in the Marese du Temple.

They likewise offer'd at many Projects, to make several Rivers Navigable which either had never yet been so, of else were now choaked up; and to open a Communication between the greatest, by means of the lesser lying nearest toge∣ther with some new Channels where it should be necessary, to carry it from the [month May.] one to the other. They proffer'd to joyn the Seine to the Loire, the Loire to the Soane, and the Garonne with the Aude, which falls into the Mediterraneum, neer Narbonne: The Conjunction of these two last would have made that of the two Seas.

As for that of the Seine and the Loire, Rhosny undertook it, drawing a Chan∣nel from Briare, which lies on the Seine, to Chastillon, above Montargis, upon the River Loin, and falls into the Seine at Moret. In this Channel they Collected all the Waters of the adjacent Rivolets, designing to make Two and thirty Slu∣ces to retain, and let them go by flashes, when needful to convey their Boats. He Expended above Three hundred thousand Crowns, but the change of Govern∣ment made this design to miscarry, though very much advanc'd. It was, a long while after, taken up again, and compleated at last.

In the Month of October, a new Phenomena was observed in the Heavens, which appeared four Months together. It was at first taken for the Planet Venus, because although it exceeded all the other Stars in Magnitude and Splendour, yet had it no Tail but Observation soon found it was different from that Planet, for they both appeared at the same time. John Kepler a very Learned Mathematician, wrote a Treatise of its Motion, according to the Rules of Astronomy, without troubling himself or the World, to no purpose, like the Judicial Prognosticators; who upon this Appa∣rition, and the Conjunctions and Oppositions of some other Planets hapning this year, and such as were to happen the year following, made, as is usual, divers strange and terrible Predictions.

[month March, &c.] There was for about two Months an extream Scarcity in Languedoc, and which would have caused a horrible Famine had they not been furnished with Wheat from Champagne and Burgundy by the Rivers of Soane and the Rhône. The Plague also raged in several Provinces of France; the soregoing year it had afforded Death a most plentiful Harvest in England.

When the Plague was ceased in those Countries, King James hold his first Parliament in London, to whom having made a Gracious and Royal Speech concerning the happy Union of the two Kingdoms, the Affection he had for his Subjects, the Laws and Re∣gulations they were to make, he desired of his Parliament, and they granted it, That from thence forward the Kingdoms of England and Scotland should be joyned into one Body, under the Denomination of GREAT BRITAIN, otherwhile used by the Ro∣mans: Whereupon was Coined that Medal, bearing this Inscription, HENRICUS ROSAS, REGNA JACOBUS. His Speech was full of excellent things, amongst others, That he did not believe, as Flatterers would fain persuade their Princes, that God bestowed Kingdoms upon Men to satisfie their unruly Lusts, and Pleasures, but to take care of the Peace and Welfare of the People; That the Head was made for the Body, not the Body for the Head: The Prince for the People, not the Peo∣ple for the Prince.

[month March, &c.] The Subtil Scholiasts have so great an itch to bring every thing into Dispute, that some Jesuits moved this year three Questions at Rome which begot great Contentions in

[Year of our Lord 1604] that Court, and greater Scandal thorow-out all Christendom: The First, That it was not an Article of Faith to believe that Clement VIII. was Pope; which so enraged the Holy Father, as without the Intercession of the Spanish Ambassador, the Society had been in great Danger. The Second, That Sacramental Confession might be made by Letter. The Third was, The Novell Opinion of Molina, the Spanish Jesuit, touching Grace, of which we shall perhaps, make mention elsewhere. I call it Novell, because that Author vaunted himself the Inventor of it, as a thing wholly unknown to the Ancient Fathers, who by this, said he, might have avoided a great deal of Em∣baras, had they lighted on the Notion. The Jesuits for Self-Preservation were forc'd to renounce the two First; which notwithstanding were rather stifled, than Con∣demned: but they maintain'd the Third, with all their force, against the Domi∣nicans. These attaqu'd it as an Opinion which destroy'd that of their Saint Tho∣mas, and even that of Saint Augustin which hath been received and allowed by all the Latine Church.

By too eager an endeavour to encrease the King's Revenue, the Super-Inten∣dant brought such disorder into the State, as can never be made worse but by the continuation of it. Formerly, the Offices of Judicature and of the Treasury might be resigned, but the Resignee was to live Forty days after, otherwise the King was to provide one. Now Rhosny considering that the King made no be∣nefit upon such Vacancies by Death, but was obliged to bestow them at the im∣portunity of Courtiers, he bethought him of a way to bring great Emoluments to the Exchequer. Which was, to secure the Office to the Wife and Heirs of those that were in Possession, provided they would yearly pay the Sixtieth Denier of that Finance, or Revenue, those Offices had been valued at; in Default whereof they should upon their Death revert to the Profit of the King. This was called, in Exchequer∣terms the Droict Annuel: The Vulgar named it, La Paulete, from the Name of Paulet the first Contractor: In some Provinces they gave it that of La Palote, because the Officers there had to do with one named Palot, who undertook it af∣ter Paulet. This favour was first granted but for Nine years, but it has been renewed for the said term, from time to time to this very day.

Unless stark Blind, they might with half an Eye foresee that this Edict would consequently and necessarily perpetuate the Sale of Offices, besides the impossibi∣lity of reducing them, (as they ought) to their ancient Number; That it would raise the prizes of them to that monstrous excess as we have by Experience known. That it would make those that held them less dependant on the King, [month Decemb.] as tied only by their Purse-Strings; That it would make their Children become Careless, Ignorant, Unjust, and Proud, as being certain to enjoy the Offices of their Fathers; That it would bar the way to Honor against People of Quality or Merit; and open it to People of no Birth, Capacity, or Honor; to Solicitors, Pedling-Merchants, and Excise-men; That it would excite a violent appetite after Riches, the only means now to attain Imployments, and by the same consequence a contempt of Virtue, as only fit to be the compagnon of Poverty: And, which indeed is the greatest of all these Mischiefs, it would at once take away all future hope of recovering satisfaction for any Injustice, or Oppression done, since they must certainly have the Successors of those very Men to be their Judges, who had oppressed them.

And indeed no one Court throughout the Kingdom, (while they had nothing in their Prospect but the good of the Nation) did much incline to accept of it: So that they only read and published a Declaration in form of an Edict, at the Court of Chancery in the year 1605. But when particular Men, (making re∣flexions) considered their Families would receive vast advantages, they consented to the publick loss, for their own private Gain; which perhaps in time may not prove altogether so much as they had flatter'd themselves withall. The Chancel∣lor Believre kept the said Declaration in his hands for some Months, and did not then pass it, till he was in danger of losing the Seals for it; which he could not hold much longer however, for Sillery's interest forced them out of his Pos∣session.

Men of upright Honesty could have wished that instead of this odd kind of Establishment, they would rather have taken away not only the Sale of Offices, but likewise all Salaries, Wages, Spices, and Presents, without leaving any other Emoluments but the Honor of the Magistracy, and hopes of future Rewards for their long, or their eminent Services in the due Administration of Justice.

This Method, said they (besides that it would have produced the advantages con∣trary [Year of our Lord 1604] to those inconveniences which are pointed at above in the Establishment of the Paulete) would have been of vast Profit to the King, by casing or discharging his Coffers of the Wages to so many Officers: It would have reduced the Char∣ges to a very small Sum, and have discharged the publick of huge Burthens, be∣sides the Plague of tedious Sutes in Law. For there could have been hone but Men of Integrity and Probity, that would have undertaken those Offices thus denuded of Profit, and such Magistrates being totally disinteressed, and not in a possibility of getting by delays, would most certainly have endeavour'd to do speedy and impartial Justice, and retrench those Formalities, and little quirks and shifts by the severe Punishment of litigious Pettifoggers: And there was no [month Decemb.] need to fear but that amongst such huge numbers of Learned Men, wherewith France then flourished and abounded, even amongst the Gentry and the richer sort, there would have been enough willing to undertake those Offices gratis, and who till their Prince should have thought fit to reward their Vertue and Diligence otherwise would have satisfied themselves with the pleasure of well doing, and the real delight of being commended, respected, honoured and by all ingenious Per∣sons highly applauded: a Motive which alone does daily prompt the more brave and generous to venture their Estates and Lives, and wherewith the best go∣verned States have ever rewarded the Noblest Actions, rather than with Mo∣ney, which renders Judges covetous and mercenaries, proud and voluptuous, unjust and oppressors.

We must not step out of this year 1604. without briefly mentioning the Siege of Ostend, which never shall be forgotten. It lasted Three years and Seventy eight dayes, during which time it was the School and Cock-Pit of all that were the bravest Warriours in Christendom, the exercise of the best Ingeniers, and most dextrous In∣ventors of Machines, and the Spectacle of the curious and inquisitive who flocked thi∣ther from all Parts, and gazed at the sight as on a Miracle. The Arch-Duke be∣gan it the Fifth of July in the year 1601. The renowned Ambrose Spinola put an end to it the Twentieth day of September in this year 1604. having had the honor to reduce the place to a Capitulation.

It had the advantage of receiving daily Supplies by Sea; so that when ever the Gar∣rison was tyred, they could send them out, and take a Recruit of all fresh Soldiers in their stead. By this means the Besieged disputed their ground foot by foot, and did not Surrender till they had no more Earth left to cover themselves. When the Spaniards were come in, and found the Walls beaten quite down by the Cannon, the Earth all torn up with their Mines, and nothing remaining but Rubbish and Ruine, they were but little satisfied for having bought so dear a little heap of Dust and Sand, (or rather a place of Burial) which cost them above Ten Millions of Money, Seventy thousand Men, and Three hundred thousand Cannon-Shot; not reck'ning the Cities of Rhimbergue, Grave, Sluce, Ardembourg, with the Forts of Issendre and Cadsant, taken by Count Maurice, whil'st they were pelting at this Siege.

In these times, there hapned a not able Change in the Kingdom of Sweden. The King Gustavus Eric-son had set up the Confession of Ausburg in the place of the Ca∣tholick Religion, and bred his two Sons in that Profession, namely John who succeeded him, and Charles Duke of Sudermania. John maintained the same, yet notwith∣standing, whether he were not fully satisfied, or were over-persuaded by his Wife [Year of our Lord From the year 1602. until the year 1604.] who was a Catholick, he cansed Sigismond his Eldest Son to be bred up in that Religion. Besides this Sigismond, he had also another Son named John Sigis∣mond was Elected King of Poland in the year 1587. during the Life of his Father, and went into that Country; the Second remained in Sweden: Now, when King John died in Anno 1592. he by Will, either real or supposed, left the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden to his Brother Charles: this Prince making good use of the Assistance of the Lutherans, to Exclude his Nephew, and get into the Throne himself, managed his Design so Prudently, that he had the Government of the said Kingdom settled upon him by the Estates, Anno 1595. and afterwards obliged them to take the Crown from the Sigismonds, Anno 1599. And, in fine, after a War of some years, to place it upon his Head: Which was done this year 1604. Sigismond not being ever able to wrest it from him again; so that after his Death it descended to the Great Gustavus his Son, and to his Heirs.

[Year of our Lord 1605] During the Balls and Mascarades which since the Peace ever began the year, [month January and February.] they went on with the Process against the Count d'Auvergne, and his Compli∣ces with the more diligence, because the Queen seemed to be a Party, the King not to exasperate her, shewed no less heat then she, and the Parliament made all the dispatch they possibly could. But the intentions of all three were very different, for the Queens were to chastize a Mistress of the Kings, that hereafter such as succeeded might dread her anger; as for the Parliament such as minded Court∣ship, more then to unriddle the hearts of Kings, thought they did great service by proceeding with all severity; and as for the King, he had no mind to dis∣grace his Mistress, for fear of distasting those by whom he expected to be obli∣ged; he only desired a thundring Arrest, (or Decree) might pull down that haughty spirit and make her readily submit, who of late treated him like a meer stranger, and to his enjoyment opposed the fear of God, and the prohibi∣tions of her Confessor.

The Count d'Auvergne was Examined three times; the King having given notice to the Parliament, by his Attorney-General, that they ought to have no regard to his pardon, nor that Brevet he had granted him. Entragues, the Mar∣chioness his Daughter, and Morgan were likewise interrogated; the Count laid all upon the Marchioness his Sister, believing the King could never find in his heart to ruine her: he cast all the reproaches on her he possibly could express, and she upon him. Entragues on the contrary did wholly acquit her, and took all upon himself, chusing rather to hazard three or four years of a languishing remainder of life (for he was above seventy three years of age) then to put his dear Daughter in danger of losing her head with ignominy.

The business was carried on with such heat, that the first day of February there was an Arrest, (or Act) which condemned the Count, Entragues and [month February.] Morgan to be beheaded in Greve; and the Marchioness to be reclused in a Nun∣nery at Beaumont near Tours, till more ample Information concerning her. The Queen received much joy, yet reaped not all the advantage she expected from this grand Arrest: for the King acquainted the Court, by his procurer, or Sol∣licitor General, that he desired the Sentence might be suspended till he had made a more narrow inspection. When therefore he had humbled the haughty Marchio∣ness by so terrible a Decree, he began to show favour that he might obtain some from her, and caused an instrument to be passed under the Great Seal, which was verified in Parliament the three and twentieth of March, giving her liberty to [month March.] retire to her house of Vernueil.

After all this there were some people in Parliament so unacquainted with intri∣gues of this nature that they importun'd him for leave to pronounce Judgment: but he eluded their pursuits by divers delays; and at length by other instruments commuted the punishment of the Count, and of Entragues, to a perpetual imprison∣ment, and then restored them to all their honours and estates, though not to their [month Septemb.] Offices and Commands. Soon after he allotted Entragues his house of Malesherbes for his Prison: and as for Morgan he only banished him the Kingdom for ever. Seven Months being pass'd, and no new proofs coming in against the Marchio∣ness, for indeed who could have taken the pains to produce any? the King gave her a Writing of the sixteenth of December which declared her perfectly innocent, and imposed perpetual silence on his Sollicitor General touching that Fact.

The Count d'Auvergne being the most dangerous, was therefore handled the worst, they left him in the Bastille, where he remained twelve years, without any other consolation then what he received from good and ingenious Books, the faithful compagnons for all Ages, fortunes and places.

During these amorous intrigues, which were managed as grand Affairs of State, the King began to engage in affection with Jaquelina de Bueil, whom he made Countess of Moret; yet nevertheless he soon after recalled the Marchio∣ness, whose charming humour and conversation ever seasoned with pleasant rail∣leries, and picquant reflexions upon the other Court Ladies, did most agreeably divert his mind, from the too intense thoughts of his Affairs, and vexations cau∣sed by the ill humors of his Wife: but on the other hand, it begot new Brou∣illeries every hour with her, as also frequent punctillio's between the other Lords and Ladies of this Court: a Subject much more worthy and fit for a Romance, then such a Chronicle, but which have occasion'd the most considerable Events in the Court of France since the Reign of Francis I.

[Year of our Lord 1605] As to the business of Ladies, I must note, that Queen Margaret having often earnestly desired permission to come to Paris, especially after she knew the [month August.] Queen was the Mother of several Children, failed not, that she might merit that favour, to concern her self very much in discovering the contrivances of the Count d'Auvergne, whereof she gave punctual accounts to the King: so that, in fine, he resolved to grant her request. She arrived then at Paris in the Month of August; and they assigned her the Castle of Madrid in the Bois de Boulog∣ne to lodge in. She staid there six weeks, thence removed her Lodging to the Hostel de Sens: but there, an odd accident hapning to one of her Minions who was killed in the boot of her Coach, by a young Gentleman, in dispair be∣cause that Gallant had ruined his Family as to the favour they had from that Princess: She quitted that unfortunate Hostel, and purchased another in the Faux∣bourg Sainct Germain, near the River and the Pré au Clerc, where she began a great foundation of Buildings and Gardening.

There it was she kept her little Court the remainder of her days, odly inter∣mixing voluptuousness with devotion, the love of Learning with that of Vanity, Christian Charity and Injustice: for as she had the Ambition to be often seen at Church, to converse with learned men, and to bestow the Tythe of her Reve∣nues upon Friers and Monks, she also took a pride in fresh Galanteries, inventing new divertisements, and never paying her just Debts.

Pope Clement VIII. by diving too far into the profound questions concerning Grace, which have no bounds nor bottom, did by the study thereof, as it was said, so over-heat his Brain, as kindled a Feavor in his Blood, whereof he dyed the third day of [month March.] March. There were two Factions in the Conclave, that of the Aldobrandines, and another of the Montaltes. The Cardinal de Joyeuse, having made himself head of the French Cardinals, and of some other indifferent ones, mated them both so well, with this flying party, that he disposed them to Elect the Cardinal Alexander de Medi∣cis, [month April.] who would needs be named Leo XI. this was upon the first day of April. They made Bon-fires for joy at the Court of France, and all over the Kingdom in considera∣tion of the Queen; but the news of his death extinguish'd them as soon almost as•• they were lighted, for he survived but five and twenty days. The regret was by so much the more sensible, as their joy had been short liv'd, and he had raised their hopes and expe∣ctations. Then the two Parties renewed their intrigues in the Conclave with more heat and application then before: the Cardinal de Joyeuse by his prudent conduct calmed them a second time. They having on either part made use of all the little policies and stratagems employ'd in the like cases, he contrived it so, that the plurality of Votes [month May.] fell upon the Cardinal Camillo Borgheze; who was Elected the sixteenth day of May, and took the name of Paul V.

Whilst all Italy had both their Eyes and Hearts attentively fixed upon these Cabals, Peter Gusman de Toledo, Count de Fuentes, Governor of Milan, thought this a proper time to forge his Chains intended for them, and would needs make an Essay of his grand design, first on the Petty Princes bordering upon his Government, then upon the Grisons. He commanded the President and Treasurers of Milan to summon the first [month May, June &c.] to attend them, to do homage, as feudataries of the Dutchy, and to hear themselves condemned to restore the Lands they had there usurped. He first of all Attaqu'd the Malespines, as being the feeblest: but they failed not to call upon the Princes of Christen∣dom to assist them, and to make the World acquainted by their Apologies, that if this Claim of the Spaniard were allowed of, there was no Potentate in Italy could be exempt, neither the Dukes of Parma or Modena, the Genoese or the Venetians, the Duke of Tuscany, nor even the Holy See: insomuch as by their lowd out-cryes, they made him let go his hold.

As to the Grisons, the Condé being angry at the new League was made between them and the Seigneory of Venice, he put forth Edicts which broke their Commerce with Milan, without which it is impossible for those Leagues to subsist; and to quell them ab∣solutely, he built a Fort called by his own name, upon a high Rock which commanded the entrance into the Val-Teline, and the Valley of Chiavenna, to serve not only as a bri∣dle to those people, and stir up the Valtelines against them, who being all Catholicks disdained that Protestants should Lord it over them; but also to have free passage and communication with Tyrol, and other hereditary Countries belonging to the House of Austria.

The Swiss, whose resolutions are slow and heavy, did not bestir themselves so soon as they ought, to have broken this uneasie Curb, which gave a check to the whole body

[Year of our Lord 1605] of their Leagues: the Fort was complated, with five great Royal Bastions, and the Spanish Faction so encreased amongst the Grisons, as caused most pernicious divisions, and made them run great hazard of their liberty.

It was impossible but the remembrance of so many injuries the King received from the Spaniard, and so many Conspiracies, which by their instigation had been formed against his person, must give him some resentment: he verily believed too, that his life would be more secure in an open War, then such a treacherous and insidious Peace: wherefore, his thoughts both day and night were rowling on the means to destroy that House much more an Enemy to his particular per∣son, yet, then to the Kingdom of France. But, as he was guilty of that fault [month May, June, &c.] incident to the tender hearted, not to be able to conceal his thoughts from wo∣men, he had communicated this design to his Wife; who having at that very time a too strict correspondence with the Spaniards, did eternally bait and im∣portune him to wave it, and enter into a League with them, and with the Pope. But far from yielding to her, he re-allied himself with the Protestant Princes, and was endeavouring to draw the Duke of Savoy and the Duke of Bavaria to Club in the design, promising the first to help him in Conquering the Kingdom of Lombardy; and the second to assist him with Money and Credit to make his Interest to attain the Empire, when Rodolphe, who was already old, should cease to live. These negociations lasted three or four years before he could succeed.

Having such vast designs, he notwithstanding was at prodigious expences in building, Gaming and Mistresses. Such as imagine that all the Actions of Princes tend to some certain concealed ends, would have it, that he was glad to find his example made the Grandees run upon those Rocks, so that being wholly taken up with vain amusements, softned by dalliance, and impoverished by excessive expence, they could neither spare the time, nor means to contrive any Brouille∣ries. It is very certain that many of them lost so much at play, they were not in a condition, had they intended it, to make any considerable disturbance.

I have heard it affirm'd that a refined Italian, having bought up all the Dice that were in Paris, and furnished the Shops with false ones made for his purpose, fell in with the Court Gamesters, and knowing exactly which would run high or low, made a prodigious gain, which he shared with Persons of the highest Qua∣lity.

However it were, the huge Sums the King expended in these three Articles, (not including those he employ'd on other more necessary ones) those which he had issued out for the payment of his debts, and redeeming part of his demeas∣nes, and those also which he collected and heaped up for the carrying on the pro∣jects he had conceived, could not possibly be raised without grinding his people, whatever care and Methods he took. Besides, he was too easie in granting, to his Courtiers and Ladies, either new Monopolies, or new Imposts, and made Gifts that were of profit to particulars, but which tended to the general ruine. Moreover, the Nobility, and old Commanders, were discontented in their minds to see him by little and little reduce the Companies d'Ordonnance, and the old Regiments to so narrow a condition; and instead of keeping those old bodies full and compleat, he gave Pensions to above twelve hundred men, who most com∣monly were chosen rather upon recommendation then for their merit. The Car∣dinal d'Ossat had otherwhile taken the liberty to presage, that these discontents would become universal, and one day break forth into some great disorders.

Some Sparks of it were to be seen in the Provinces of Quercy, Perigord, and Limosin: The Servants of the Duke of Biron, furiously bent to revenge the [month June, July and August.] death of their Master, employed all sorts of means 〈◊〉〈◊〉 render the Kings person odious and contemptible, and to stir up the people against the pretended violence of the Government. The friends of the Mareschal de Bouillon, whether they had orders from him, or acted by their own proper motions, believing he would own them if they succeeded, made divers Assemblies of the Nobility, and gave earnest Money for the levying of Soldiers, but in such pitiful Sums, that it plain∣ly appeared this advance-money came out of some little private Purse only. And yet to give life to their Partisans, they every hour reported some forged news of the Mareschal, sometimes affirming that if they held together but till the Month of October, some great matters would be done in favour of him: another while that they should find him in France sooner then his friends imagined, or

his Enemies desired: Then, that the reason of his stay was but to bring such [Year of our Lord 1605] Forces with him from Germany, as would be able to enter into the very heart of the Kingdom, and bide Battel in the open Field.

Besides all these Rumours which at so great a distance made the Rebellion ap∣pear a hundred times more formidable than it really was, the King had frequent notice, that the Spaniards held Intelligence, and had Designs upon the most im∣portant Frontier places, as Toulon, Marseilles, Narbonne, Bayonne, and upon Blaye. He apprehended also lest the whole Party of the Reformed Religion should embrace the Mareschals defence, and by the Directions of so able and knowing a Person should be inclined to form a separate Republick in the King∣dom: for they talked of setting up Councils in each Province, of not admitting such as were Officers of the Kings to any Consultations that concerned the Good old Cause, to make Orders and Regulations for raising of Men and Moneys, and to make Leagues with Strangers. To these Dangers he opposed the Cares of Rhosny, who having had Interest and Credit enough to preside in their Assembly of Chastelleraut, stifled all Motions of Affairs of that Nature, and besides mightily qualified the hottest amongst them, by presenting to them on the behalf of the King, a Brevet dated the Eight of August, which prolonged their holding the Places of Security for Three years.

When all was out of danger on that Side, the King prepar'd himself about the end of August, to take a Journey into the Provinces where the Fire was kindling; and to clear the way before him, he order'd Ten Companies of the Regiment of [month September October, and November.] Guards, and Four or Five Troops of Horse to March, Commanded by the Duke of Espernon, with two Masters of Requests, John Jacques de Mesme Roissy, and Raimond Vertueil Fueillas; The first went to take Information in Limosin; the second in Quercy, but caused all the Prisoners to be brought to Limoges.

Bouillon's Friends could never have believed they durst have attaqued his Ca∣stles, because they were comprised amongst those places of Security granted to them of the Religion: they were much startled when they found that conside∣ration could not protect them. Bouillon being informed of it, sent them Orders to Surrender upon the King's first Demand.

As to themselves, the wisest preferring a timely retreat before an obstinate stay, withdrew; some, as Rignac and Vassignac to Sedan, others to other places of Safety: Many had recourse to the King's Clemency, and purchased their Pardon by discovering the whole Series of the Conspiracy, the Cities they were to have Surprized, the Places where they were to be Armed, those that had pro∣mised to declare for them, and many more Particulars, which being thorowly examined, had little other foundation, but their own credulity and foolish ima∣ginations. Nor was any thing produced in Writing against the Duke of Bouillon, nothing appearing but the Evidence of such people whose profligate reputation destroy'd the Credit of what they would have asserted.

The more Unfortunate fell into the hands of Justice. Roissy made their Process, assisted by Ten Councellors of the Presidial. Five or Six paid down their Heads, which were planted over the Gates of Limoges, the Bodies burnt, and their Ashes dispersed in the Air. Some others were hung up in Effi∣gie: But these Executions were not till after the King had been gone a Month; who seeing the Fire was put out, returned to Paris towards the end of November.

As he was going to Limosin, being at Orleans, he took the Seals from the Chan∣cellour de Bellieure, to give them to Sillery, but still left him the honor to be Chief of the Council, a sorry Comfort for so great a Disgrace, and which gave Bellieure occasion to say, That a Chancellour without the Seals, is a Body without a Soul.

At Paris the King met with new cause of disquiet, the Business of the City [month Novemb.] Rents, and the Demands of the Assembly of the Clergy. As for the first, he had of a long time resolved to Suppress those Rents, or Revenues, for the crea∣tion whereof no Money had been given, and to redeem such as had been purcha∣sed at a mean price. To this purpose he had named Commissioners, who were the Presidents de Thou, Nicolai, and Calignon, a Master of Accompts, and a Trea∣surer of France: and in the manner these did proceed, none could have just cause of Complaint. But when he had named others, and it appeared by their ma∣nagement, the Council had a design either to destroy, or much lessen that Fond which was the clearest subsistence of many Families in Paris, the interessed, who

[Year of our Lord 1605] were numerous, had recourse to the Prevost des Marchands, he being as it were their Guardian.

This was Francis Miron, a man of Courage and Probity, and who had no other interest but his Duty and the Honor of his Office; He took up the Business with some heat, spake very resolutely in the Town-Hall, and wrote to the King who was then at Fontainebleau. Those of the Council who had a Pique against him for his great resolution, too stiff in their opinion, imputed as a Crime that he should mention Nero in some Discourse of his, and insisted much with the King to have him apprehended. The Bourgeois were ready to take up Arms in defence of their Magistrate, although he protested he would rather chuse to die, than be an occasion of the least disorder.

It was a great happiness for the City of Paris to have so good and so wise a King as Henry: who having in other occasions thorowly tried the Fidelity and Candour of Miron, and it being withal his Method to give People time to calm and cool themselves, and repent of their rashness, he would not push things on to extremity, which must have engaged him to severe Chastisements; So that the Tenants referring themselves wholly to this good natur'd Landlord, and Miron having explained himself with all the Respect and Humility due from a Loyal Subject to his Soveraign, he stopt all further proceeding touching their Rents.

As to the rest, Paris does owe this acknowledgment to the honor of Miron, that in his Office of Lientenant Civil, and of Prevost des Marchands, they never had a Magistrate so exact in settling of the City Government, their Markets, and what else was necessary, or that so warmly espoused the Peoples interest, or took more pains and care about the Revenue and Rights belonging to them, to clear their Debts, keep up that Splendour becoming the Capital City of the Kingdom, as also to beautifie, and furnish it with things that were at once an Ornament and of Publick Advantage. The several Streets enlarged, many new Paved and made shelving to convey away the Dirt and Water, Eight or Nine stately Con∣duits or Fountains, still casting forth their plentiful Streams, the River im∣proved with Wharffs, Keys, and watering places, divers little Bridges in places convenient, a new Gate at the Tournelle, that of the Temple repair'd and open'd, after it's having been shut up above Forty years, will be lasting marks and tokens of it to all Posterity. But there was nothing so noble as the Front of the Town-Hall, which seemed to have been left imperfect for Two and seventy years space, to give this Magistrate an opportunity of making it the Monument of his Fame, and to exercise his Generosity by employing all the Profits of his Offices to put it into that condition wherein we behold it to this very day.

As to the Assembly of the Clergy, that Body having recovered much force and vigour, the Complaints and Demands they had to make to the King were very great. Hierosme de Villars, Archbishop of Vienne presented the Assemblies Papers to him, and was the Mouth of the whole Assembly; He made a long discourse upon those vexations the Church suffer'd on all hands, the infamous Trade of Benefices, Simoniacal Bargains, Pensions paid to Lay-men, and frequent Appeals, as gross abuses. He said, the cause of all those Disorders was the refusal, they had hi∣therto met with, for Publishing the Council of Trent; That it was strange the King∣doms of the Earth, which are but as the baser Elements of the Terrestrial Globe, should substract and withdraw themselves from the benign Influence of the Church, which is the Coelestial World; That the things which pass away on the wings of Time should hinder the Fruits of an Eternal duration; That they should make Divine Reason stoop and truckle to Humane Policies, and, if we may so express it, subject God, in a manner, to the Wills of Men.

As to the Reception of the Council of Trent, the King would not be Positive, That it could not quadrare with the Reasons of State, and the Liberties of the Gal∣lican Church; On the contrary he declared that he desired it as much as they, and was very sorry it met with so great Difficulties: That he would spare neither his Life, nor Crown for the Honour and Exaltation of the Church. And as con∣cerning Simonies, &c. they must lay the blame upon those that practis'd it, not upon him, for he made no Trade of Bishopricks, like the Favorites of his Predecessors, but bestow'd them gratis, and upon Persons of Merit.

He afterwards, at leisure, made distinct replies to all their Papers, and amongst other things granted them by an Edict, the liberty of redeeming such things as

formerly belonged to them, and had been sold for little or nothing without due [Year of our Lord 1605] form or the Solemnities thereto requisite. They were not satisfied with this, but must have another to empower them to redeem in what manner soever they had been sold; Yet the Parliament put in this Modification, or Proviso, That it should not extend to the prejudice of any who had been in Possession Forty years upon a legal Title.

There hapned this year Three Eclipses two of the Moon; The first upon the Four and twentieth of March, the second the Seventeenth of September; and one of the Sun the Second day of October: It began about One of the Clock afternoon, and for two whole hours caused such a darkness, that it seemed as it were Night; the disk of that great Luminary being totally obscured by the Moon which appeared black, and edged with a circle of light quite round.

[month Decemb.]

The Astrologers after their wonted manner Predicted it would have most terrible Effects: If the Fougade in England had not failed, they would have made the world believe that this Phenomena did Prognosticate it. Some English Catho∣licks accustomed to contrive Conspiracies during the Reign of Queen Elizabeth, being much incensed against King James, for that though at his first coming he had given them fair hopes of enjoying greater liberty than ever in their Reli∣gion, yet did now keep as severe a hand over them as any before, Plotted to destroy both him and all the most eminent of the Kingdom by a Blow, the ve∣ry thoughts whereof begets a horror. Robert Catesby, and Thomas Percy were the principal Authors. These knowing the Parliament was to Sit at Westmin∣ster, hired the Neighbouring Houses, and then some Cellars under the very place of their Meeting, filled them with Barrels of Gun-Powder which they cover'd with Coals and Faggots, and intended to set Fire thereto when the Houses of Parliament were Assembled, and so blow up the King with all his Lords and Commons there attending. One of the Conspirators could not for∣bear writing a Letter to a Gentleman his Friend, but in a Counterfeit hand, and without any Name, conjuring him not to meet there in Parliament for some days. This Gentleman Communicates his notice to a couple of the Lords be∣longing to the Privy Council, who made their Report of it to the King, there∣by to discharge their Duty. They took it to be a piece of Raillery on purpose to affright and scoff at them: but the King was not of their Opinion, and judged by the terms of the Letter, (which said, That it should be a terrible Blow; and the Danger past as soon as you can burn this Letter,) that this must be some Execution by Fire. It was therefore thought necessary to search into all the Cellars and the neighbouring Houses; the first time nothing was discover'd, but the great quantity of Woods and Coals giving some suspition, they returned agen the second time, (this was the Night preceding the Day the Parliament was to Assemble, viz. the Fifth day of November.) They then perceived one of Percy's Men at the Door, named Faukes; he had been observed there before, and his Countenance was now Agast; they seized him therefore, and finding him provided with Match to give fire to the Train, he boldly owned the Design.

The Conspirators who were retired into the Country till the Fougade had taken Effect, hearing it was discover'd, dispersed several ways, to draw their Friends together, and make the People rise; but they were so roughly handled, that some were slain, others taken, and the rest in great Numbers forced to quit the Kingdom. Most of these last got over to Calais, where the King had [Year of our Lord 1606] commanded the Governor to give them shelter, those that governed his Con∣science [month January.] having first persuaded him it was a meer Persecution contrived by the Ministers of State against those of the Catholick Religion.

The last day of January, Eight of the Chief Conspirators suffer'd, in Lon∣don, the Punishment inflicted on such as are found Guilty of High-Treason. Not one of them accused the Priests, or Friers, being bound not to discover them by terrible Oaths; yet King James caused diligent Search to be made for them, especially the Jesuits. Two of those Fathers had made their Escape, viz. [month January, February, &c.] Garnet, and Hall, with a Boy that served them, to the Castle called Abington belonging to a Gentleman; the People hid them in the Tunnel of a Chimney, and fed them with Broath convey'd to them by a long Pipe: But the Searchers having turned out all the Domesticks of the Family, and left a strong Guard

[Year of our Lord 1606] there, the poor wretches were fain to produce themselves. They were brought to London; the Boy, whether in dispair, or for fear he should by force oftor∣tures discover his Masters Secrets, ript open his own Belly with a Knife, where∣of he died before he could be examined.

King James was persuaded that Garnet knew every particular of the Plot, as being an intimate Confident of Catesby's; but would not put him to the [month February, &c.] Rack: for he had rather his Confession should be free and voluntary than have the reproach of being extorted, for Compulsion would have rendred it suspe∣cted. He therefore made use of Moderation and Craft, instead of Severities and the Rack: They allowed him much liberty in Prison, and suborn'd a Fellow who feigning himself a Catholick, spake so much, till he made him both speak and write. They permitted him to converse even with his Compagnon Hall; and from their Discourse, which was over-heard by two Witnesses who lay conceal'd, they got full proof for his Condemnation. He died as a Martyr, notwithstanding, and passed for such in the opinion of the English Ca∣tholicks. His Apologist writing also four years after, affirm'd that a Gentle∣man who was present at his Death, desiring to have of his Reliques, having [month May.] gather'd up some few Straws which he saw stained with his Gore, found Garnet's Picture traced in lines of Blood upon one of them; which was at that time kept by a Lady as a most precious and wonderful Relique.

The Pope fully justified himself from the reproach of this horrible attempt, and shewed by good literal Proofs, that he had forbid the English to ma•••• use of any such Bloody ways. The Jesuits labour'd also on their part to make Fa∣ther Garnet's innocency appear: And King Henry IV. whose honor was much concerned in their Conduct, since he had recalled them, sent Father Coton to the English Ambassadour, to assure him the Society had no hand in that Con∣spiracy, and that if some particular Members of theirs were concerned, they disowned and detested them. There was however another Jesuit in England named Oldcorne, who maintain'd that the said Enterprize was good and laudable, and for so doing was Condemned and Executed as Garnet had been.

[Year of our Lord 1605] In France, about the end of the fore-going year, was discover'd the Treason [month December.] of John d'Alagon de Merargues, a Gentleman of Provence, but originally by his Ancestors of the Kingdom of Naples, whence King René had brought his great, great, great Grandfather. The resemblance of his Surname had infected him with the vanity to believe he was of the House of Arragon; and upon that score it came into his head to make himself a Fortune by the Spaniards; to deserve which, by some Signal action, he had undertaken to bring the Spaniards into Marseilles. The Office of Procureur Syndic of that Country, and his great Alli∣ances by Marriage, his Wife being related to the Duke of Montpensier and the House of Joyeuse, rendred him very considerable; the Command of two Gal∣leys maintained for the King's Service seemed to facilitate the means to make him Master of the Harbour or Port; and the Office of Viguier, which he was assured of for the next year now at hand, gave him great Power over the City. He had notwithstanding so few Instruments for so great a Design, that he communicated it to a Slave belonging to one of his Galleys, whom he would needs employ in it: the Slave discover'd it to the Duke of Guise, and the Duke of Guise sent notice of it to the Court.

Merargues going thither soon after about some Affairs of the Province, la Varenne had order to observe him, and acquitted himself so well, that one evening slipping into his House, with a Prevost, he surprized him while he was entertain∣ing B••uneau Secretary to the Spanish Ambassadour with his Design. They seized upon both, and searching them, found a Writing tied under Bruneau's Gar∣ter, which decypher'd the whole Mystery. Bruneau was Imprisoned in the Bastille, Merargues in the Chastelet, and from thence transfer'd to the Conciergerie.

The Spanish Ambassadour made great noise at the detention of his Secretary; he spake of it as a high injury to the Dignity of his Master, an Affront to all Crowned Heads, and a violation of the Security due to every Ambassadour. [month Decemb.] Going to the King to redemand himb, he was at first but ill received. Sometimes he talked high, as representing a great Monarch; then chang'd his tone into a softer note, as knowing his Secretary ran the hazard of being put upon the Rack. The King, without appearing overmuch concern'd, shewed him what Crime his

Secretary had committed; and made him sensible that such who debauched and [Year of our Lord 1606] corrupted his Subjects to commit Treason against his State, were those that vio∣lated the Rights of People, not he who only secur'd a man that had so visibly abused it. The Ambassador having no reply to make to so just a reproach, fell upon great Complaints, and instanced that the King sent Men and Money to maintain the Hollanders, and had attempted to stir up the Morisco's in Spain; whereof there was proof, said he, in the Confessions of divers Criminals that had suffer'd Death in those Countries.

To the first point, the King made the same answer he had formerly given up∣on the same Subject: To the second, he said, it was an Artifice of the Council of Spain, who by the extremity of Tortures had forced those Suppositions from the mouths of some unhappy wretches, Executed for other Crimes, or had thrust them into their forged Wills and Testaments, thereby to have matter to recri∣minate with some appearance of Truth. After divers Replications on either part, the King assured the Ambassador that his Secretary should have no wrong done to him, and that he would send him the whole result of the Process, to see whether he would own it, or not. [month Decemb.]

During all this Month, the Entertainment of the Politicians in their Conver∣sations, and the subject of their Writings, was to discuss to what Latitude this Security of Ambassadors and their Servants did extend, and in what cases they ought to be subjected to the justice of that Country, wherein they did reside. In the mean while the two Prisoners were interrogated, the Secretary confessed all, and when they had clearly Convicted him, and gotten sufficient proof from him to Convict Merargues, the King forbad the Parliament to proceed any further with him, and some few days after sent him back to the Ambassador with a Co∣py of the whole Process. But as for Merargues, they went thorow with him; for an Arrest, or Sentence, of the Nineteenth of the Month made him lose his Head in Greve, and Condemned his Body to be cut in four Quarters, which they set up over the four principal Gates of Paris, and sent his Head to Marseilles, to be there planted upon one of their Gates.

[month February.] Amidst the Divertisements of the Court, to whom the Birth of a second Son of France administred new cause of Festivity, the King was seriously minded to restore the Duke of Bouillon upon his entire and not conditioned submission. It was nigh upon four years he had been out of the Kingdom, and by his Apologies, Negociations, and the intercession of divers Princes of his Religion, had contend∣ed with the King, not as to his Duty, which, he said, he was ever ready to pay, but his Innocency and Honor which he was obliged to maintain. In effect, they could not Convict him of any Conspiracy, not even of the last, though there was some reason to suspect him guilty of all. The King knew he had stopt his ears at the instant Sollicitations of the Spaniards: He remembred the eminent Ser∣vices he had rendred him in his most pressing Necessities, and he desired he might do him more yet hereafter in the shock he intended to give the House of Austria. On the other hand, he well knew, that this Mareschal, so long as he was absent from Court, would ever keep the Huguenot Party in suspition; and it somewhat concerned his Honor to make all Europe see, they being well informed of this Affair, that it was not without good ground he had so used him. Now the on∣ly way to satisfie together, both his Reputation, and his Clemency, was to en∣gage him to come and crave his Pardon, and Surrender his City of Sedan into his hands which he would needs have in his Power, at least for some days, that the whole world might understand the Mareschal held both his Life and Fortune from his Bounty.

The Mareschal did at length resolve to acknowledge he had failed, he named his faults however, Imprudence and Precipitation, rather than Infidelity; And though he expressed an impatient desire to wait upon the King, yet he excused his coming, till all those Clouds and Foggs of Crimes wherewith he had been charged, were utterly dispersed, it being as shameful for a Master to make use of any Servant, while under such ill-favour'd Circumstances, as for the Servant to have been wanting in his Fidelity due to so great a Monarch. He apprehended no hurt from the King, but only from the Counsels of Sully: for as he believed him his Capital Ene∣my, he imagined he would persuade the King to keep Sedan, and that the apparent Benefit of the State would excuse and cover the Venial Sin of breaking his word.

[Year of our Lord 1606] Him whom we have hitherto named Rosny, shall be henceforward called the [month February.] Duke of Sully, because at the beginning of this year, the King honour'd him with the Title of Duke and Pair, which he annexed to the Lands of Sully purchased by this Lord since his favour. The Letters Patents were sealed the Nineteenth of February, and verified the last day of the Month in Parliament; whither the new Duke went to be received, accompanied as one who had both the King's Trea∣sury and favour to befriend him, and invite them.

The Business was brought to that pass, that the King finding himself in Ho∣nor absolutely engaged to have Sedan, and the Mareschal obstinately bent not to be dis-seized, nothing remained but force that could determine the Controversie. In the Council, Villeroy and Sully were of different Sentiments concerning this Enterprize: Sully openly persuaded the King to go in Person to Sedan; Villeroy endeavour'd to hinder it, but by more private ways: To this end he made the difficulties appear very great, the Consequences worse, the place impregnable, the Mareschal's Correspondence both without and within the Kingdom very dan∣gerous: He represented how all the Huguenot Party was ready to rise, all Germany ready to take up Arms, all England to put to Sea to support it, that he had nume∣rous Levies in Swisserland and the Low-Countries who would begin their March upon the first beat of Drum.

But the King slighted all these Apparitions as vain and airy Fantosmes, and if [month April.] they had been real Bodies, he ought to have hastned to prevent them. When he was gotten to Donchery, which is within a League of Sedan, with his Forces, and had himself taken a view of the place, the Mareschal who had still kept his Ne∣gociation on foot, demanded to confer with Villeroy, before Sully arrived. It had never been his design to come to the Swords point with his King, but only to make use of his Wits, and retard his March by suggesting many Dangers and things he neither would or indeed could do. On the other hand Villeroy had all the desire imaginable to conclude the Treaty, that he might ravish the honour of this Expedition from Sully.

So that upon the second Conference he had with the Mareschal, he brought him to agree, To Surrender the Place to the King, and to consent that he should keep a Go∣vernor and a Garrison there during the space of four years: The King on his side fully Pardon'd him, for all that he could ever have done or said to that day, without any Reservation, whereof he caused Letters of Abolition to be expedited, and sent them to be verified in Parliament, dispensing with his Personal Appearance, and many other customary Forms.

The next day being the last of April, the Mareschal relying on the credit of Villeroy, and the Protection of the Queen, who was willing to gain so knowing and so Potent a Lord, came to wait on the King at Donchery in the Morning, asked his Pardon, and took a new Oath of Fidelity to him. The following Thurs∣day, [month April.] the Courrier having brought back the Letters of Abolition verified in Par∣liament, the King made his entrance into Sedan, and setled Netancourt his Go∣vernor there. This done he returned to Paris, where he would needs be received as Triumphant, with the noise of all the Cannon in the Arsenal. The Mares∣chal de Bouillon came soon after; and the world much admired to see him the very first day as much in the King's favour, and in his most familiar Conversations, as he had been before his absenting.

At the same time, the King went to Sedan, the most furious Winds, that ever yet were heard of, agitated the Air and Sea, not only in France, but also in England, the Low-Countries, and Germany; In the Campagne, it forced back not only those that travell'd on foot, but even Horses, threw several often on the ground; put Carts and Coaches to a full stop, tore up the strongest Trees by the Roots, beat down Towers and Steeples, whose Coverings and Walls buried great numbers of People under their ruines. At Paris, so long as this Tempest lasted, which was all Saturday, Easter-Sunday, and Monday, the Tyles, Stacks of Chimneys, nay the very Rafters of the Houses flew about the Streets, and killed or maimed above Seventy Persons. This Storm did, as it were, threaten to tear up the very Foundations of the Earth, and force the vast Element of Waters out of its Natural Bed, to cause a second deluge, af∣ter it had caused infinite Shipwracks in the securest Harbours.

In the Month of June, the King coming from Saint Germains to Paris, by Coach, [Year of our Lord 1606] wherein were the Queen his Wife, the Princess of Co••ty, the Duke of Mont∣pensier, [month June.] and the Duke of Vendosme, and designing to cross the Seine at Port Nully, one of his Horses, instead of going into the Ferry-boat (for as then there was no Bridge) stray'd into the Water, and drew the Coach after him into a place very deep. The Gentlemen that follow'd on Horseback, threw themselves instantly into the River, and happily saved the King, and then all the rest of his Company. The Queen was in the greatest Danger, la Chasteigneraye drew her forth, and for this good Service deserved to be Captain of her Guard some while after. The Marchioness de Verneuil, as she was wont, play'd with her Wit maliciously upon this Adventure, and told the King, that if she had been there, she would have cryed out, The Queen Drinks *; which re-inflamed the Queens resentments, and caused new Picqueerings.

Queen Catherine de Medicis had given the Counties of Auvergne and of Lara∣guais to Charles, Natural Son of her Son King Charles IX. Queen Margaret pretended that she could not do it, because that by the Contract of Marriage with Henry II. those Lands had been substituted to the Children that should proceed from it, of whom none were remaining but her self.

[month June.] So that taking advantage of the disgrace of Charles, she had waged Law with him to retrieve it; and even Six years before the Parliament of Toulouze had pro∣nounced in her favour for the County of Lauraguais. This favourable Prejudi∣cation, and the Juncture of Affairs invited her to bring the like Action before the Parliament of Paris for the County of Auvergne, and with the like success: for by a Decree in March they adjudged it to her. Immediately she made a Present of the said Lands to the Daufin, by absolute Deed of Gift executed while living, upon condition they should be united to the Crown for ever, and not alie∣nated, [month March.] but she reserved the Profits to her self, which the King purchased by a large Pension.

The Court enjoying a perfect repose, now celebrated the Ceremonial Baptism of the Daufin, and the two Daughters of France: for the Essential Baptism was administred immediately after their Birth. They had made Magnificent Prepa∣rations at the Louvre for this Ceremony, but the Plague beginning to Infect Paris about the end of June, and spreading much in July and August, obliged the King to transfer it to Fontainebleau. It was there performed upon Holy-Cross Day, in the Court de L'Ovale, where they erected an Amphitheater, as having no place spacious enough within Doors to contain all their Pomp. The Cardinal de Gondy [month Septemb.] was the Minister; they began with the second Daughter, who was the youngest of the three Children. She was named Catherine, and for God-father had the Duke of Lorrain, the Dutchess of Tuscany for her Godmother, represented by Don John de Medicis. The Eldest Daughter had no Godfather, only a Godmother who was the Arch-Dutchess Clara Isabella Eugenia: Madam d'Angoulesme repre∣sented her, and gave the Name of Elizabeth to the Child. At the Baptism of the Daufin, the Cardinal de Joyeuse stood Godfather for Pope Paul V. who for this purpose had declared him Legat in France during three Months. The Dutchess of Mantoua Sister to the Queen, was Godmother. She being invited to come expresly into France, the Queen prevailed she might take place of the Prin∣cesses of the Blood; a Novelty not very pleasing to the French, nor to the King himself.

On the day which preceded that of this Ceremony, a light appeared towards the Western Quarter of the Heavens, which expanding by little and little, cast forth as it were long flashes towards the South, and the East with most admirable swiftness. After these Fusées, which lasted near a quarter of an hour, appeared divers Chariots of Fire which seemed to shock one the other, and wherein they fancied to discern some appearances of Lances, Pikes and Arms which darted them. This Spectacle ended not till about Midnight, and by a cleer Light which made the whole Hemisphear seem to sparkle, then insensibly decay'd in half an hours time. But two days after, about the same hour as at first, all of a sudden a great Light appeared in the Air, towards the West, as if to light the Scene, and give the Spectators the Pleasure of a Combat, wherewith the Demons of the Air, if we may believe so, would entertain the Court, and out-vie their Divertise∣ments. For they formed, as it were, Regiments of Horse and Foot charging with impetuosity; some tumbled off their Horses, and others trampled under∣foot, many Musquets and Pistols discharged at each other, the Fire and Smoak

[Year of our Lord 1606] were visible, nothing was wanting but the report, others laid hands on and grappled together, and did not quit their hold till one was overthrown. This imaginary Battel lasted above an hour, then vanish'd in a moment.

In the general (Abolition, or) Pardon which the Financiers had been con∣strain'd to purchase to deliver themselves from the pursuit of the Chamber-Royal, the Crime of Forgery had been excepted, as it should ever be. Some In∣formers, People of no Credit nor Habitation, and indeed owning themselves for Counterfeits, imagined that this Exception would be of advantage to frighten the said Officers and make them befriend and stand by them in all their villanious Cheats. They first felt their Pulses several times thinking to squeeze somewhat from them, but they were hugely deceived; those Harpies whose greatest plea∣sure [☞] is in flaying the rest of Mankind, stand in less fear of Death, and would sooner suffer it themselves, than lose one single hair of their head. When these Rascals perceived they slighted and scoffed at their menaces, they insisted so far on it to the King, and promis'd him such Mountains of Gold upon this in∣spection, that he set up a Chamber, or Court of Justice, to proceed against such as should be accused of Forgery.

This Court, to give the greater terror, began with such severity as filled the Houses with Garrisons, the Market-places with Gibbets and Effigies, and Fo∣reign Countries with Run-aways who went to voluntary Banishment: but the most guilty having timely got their Necks out of the Collar, and carried sub∣sistence enough along with them to wait till the Torrent were past, began to treat at that safe distance, and employ'd part of their Spoil and Theft to gain Friends and Protectors; who by divers methods allay'd the heat of their Prosecutions, and spun things out to great length, well knowing the King was soon weary and easily gave over, when he once met with the like difficulties. Just so did it fall out, and when they heard him begin to complain of the great cry and little wool, the Queen Mother implored his Mercy for these wretches, and at the same time they offer'd to redeem themselves, and bid up to Six hundred thousand Crowns. The Richer sort advanced the whole Sum, but re-imbursed themselves doubly by those Taxes the Court allowed them upon the little ones, who had but pilfer'd; [☞] In so much, as Honest men were of Opinion these greater Sponges ought to have been squeezed again, and the Taxers a second time Taxed.

Before the year ended, the Marriage of Eleonora Sister of the young Prince of Conde was compleated with Philip Eldest Son of William Prince of Orange and Earl of Nassaw. He was sent Prisoner into Spain by Duke d'Alva in the year 1568. and having remained there divers years, recover'd his liberty by renoun∣cing the Protestant Religion. In the mean time Blacons, a Huguenot Gentleman, had got possession of the Government of Orange, with design, said he, to keep it for him: and in effect, Anno 1599. knowing he was at Genoa with the Arch-Duke Albert, and the new Queen of Spain, he went thither to carry the Keys of the place to him, and invite him to come and take possession, as he did; yet did he not leave it intirely at his disposal, for fear, said he, lest the Prince being a Catholick should misuse the inhabitants, who were not so. Now the King, in favour of the said Princes Marriage with Eleonora, compelled Blacons to restore that Principallity to him, and also confirmed its independance by very express Letters Patents.

[Year of our Lord 1607] We have but few things to collect in this year 1607. unless some perhaps de∣sire we should observe, that the King pursued his wonted pleasures of Love, Gaming and Hunting: That he had at certain times his fits of the Gout, and observed to dyet himself as he was wont to do every year.

That upon the Popes request he sent the Order of the Holy-Ghost to Alincourt his Ambassador at Rome, to conferr it with all possible Solemnity on Duke Sforza, and the Duke de Saint Gemini of the House of the Ʋrsins, dispensing them from the obligation of making proof of their Nobility, as the Pope had dispensed him from the Statute of that Order, which prohibits the conferring it upon Strangers.

That he had a Second Son born the Sixteenth of April, who bare the Title of Duke of Orleans, and dyed four years after, before the Ceremonies of Bap∣tisme. [month May.]

That in the Month of May, a Chiaux brought him a Compliment and Let∣ters from the Grand Signior Mahomet.

That in the Month of July he re-united all his own particular demeasnes to the Crown of France.

[Year of our Lord 1607] That on the twenty sixth of September, a Comet appeared, whose long and large Train did point directly to the Sun, it being of the magnitude of Jupiter, and the colour of Saturn. It's motion at first was so swift, as in few days, with∣in its own Circle which was very great, it ran nine degrees and more: this velocity diminishing dayly together with its magnitude, it disappeared at the end of October.

That the grand Master of Maltha sent a Bone of the Foot of Sainct Euphemia, Virgin and Martyr, to the Doctors of the Sorbonne, who otherwhile had cho∣sen her for their Patroness; and that the University went in a Body to the Tem∣ple, where the Ambassador of the Order lodged to receive that Sacred Trea∣sure.

That as to the concerns of one named la Motthe, who was accused of being an accessary in the Murther of Francis de Montmorency Halot, committed by the Marquiss d'Allegre at Vernon in the year 1593. and who had obtained Letters of abolition from the King, and for his greater Security, had lifted up the Shrine* 1.90 of Sanict Romain at Rouen, there was great dispute before the Kings Council about this Priviledge, by some Advocates of Parliament, who to speak truth, were but little skill'd in the antiquities of France. The Grand Council gave an Act to the Kings Ministers of this opposition that had been made as to the allowance of the said Priviledge: and then by a Decree of the six and twentieth of March 1608. (having regard to the Kings pardon) banish'd the accused for nine years from Court, as also from Normandy, and Picardy, and condemned him to some reparations, and to some Amende, or Fine. The King made likewise this Modification, or Proviso, in the Priviledge of Sainct Romains for the future. That whomsoever the Chapter should nominate to lift or take up the said Shrine should be bound to take out Letters of Pardon under the Great Seal, that so this favour might be derived indeed from the Prince, and proceed in a judicial order.

We shall pass by these things and many others the like, to observe the man∣agement of two very important Affairs without doors, wherein the Kings Au∣thority and Prudence had the best share; I mean the difference between the Pope and the Seigneory of Venice, and the Truce between the Spaniards and the States of the United-Provinces. As to the first, His Holiness complained for that the Seigneory [Year of our Lord From 1605, to 1606.] had put a certain Canon to death convicted of ravishing a Girl of Eleven years old, and then cutting her Throat; for that they detained two other Ecclesiastiques in Prison, a Canon and an Abbot; the first for having inchiostré, that is to say, besmear'd a door, (belonging to a Kinswoman of his) with Ink (which is the highest affront in those Countries) because she had refused to consent to his infamous desires: The second because he was Accused of incest with his own Sister, of Assassinates, Poysonings, Robbery on the High-ways, Magick, and of many other Crimes.

He was offended yet more at three or four Decrees made by them against the honour and the liberty of the Church. By one in 1602. they had excluded the Lords Spiri∣tual, under what title or pretence soever, from the right of emphyteutique prelation. By a second of the year 1603. they had forbidden the building of any Church, Con∣vent, or Hospital, without permission of the Senate, upon pain of banishment for such as transgress'd, and confiscation of the Ground and Edifice. By a third of the year 1605. they extended that Decree made (first only for the City of Venice) in the year 1536. to all the Cities and Territories under their obedience; viz. That no Ec∣clesiastique should be allowed, to leave, bequeath, or engage any Goods to the Church, and if it were found that they possessed any of that sort, the said Goods should be distrained, and the value restored to whom it should belong. To which was added, That henceforward none should give any Estate in Lands to the Clergy, nor to the Religious Orders, without the consent of the Senate, who would allow of it upon good consideration, still keeping and observing the same solemnities as are observed upon the alienation of the publick demeasnes▪

The two first Decrees were made in the time of Clement VIII. the third was re∣new'd during the vacancy of the Holy See. Paul V. declared to the Ambassador of the Seigneory, That he would have this last to be abolished; The Ambassador having [Year of our Lord 1605] written thereof to the Senate, received for answer to his Holiness, That the said Decree contained nothing that was contrary to the Ecclesiastical Liberty; that it respected on∣ly [Year of our Lord 1606] the Seculars, over whom the Republick had a Sovereign Power; That it was not just that such Lands as maintained the Subjects of the State, and was to bear the Charg∣es, should fall into Mortmain; and that the Senate had ordained nothing therein but

[Year of our Lord 1607] what the Emperors Valentinian, and Charlemain, the Kings of France, from Saint Lewis even to Henry III. Edward III. King of England; the Emperor Charles V. and several others most Christian Princes had ordained in the like matters.

But the Pope, very far from taking these reasons for currant payment demanded moreover that they should deliver up the Prisoners to him; and sent two Briefs to his Nuncio, for Martin Grimani Duke of the Seigneory, which ordained him to do both the one and the other, under pain of Excommunication, and interdiction. When these Briefs arrived at Venice, the Duke was in his agony, so that they deferr'd the open∣ing of them till the Election of a new one, who was Leonard Donati. Ʋnder the Au∣thority of this Duke, the Senate made answer to the Pope;

That they could find nothing in the Decree, nor in their own conduct that did any way deviate from the respect they owed to the Holy See, or which was not of the rights of their Soveraignty in temporals.

At the same time they nominated Duodi Am∣bassador Extraordinary, to go and declare the reasons for their so doing to his Holi∣ness.

In the mean time, he from France, (it was Fresne Canaye) and the Cardinal Delfini, made use of all their skill to allay the Popes indignation: but on the one side the Cardinals of the Spanish Faction, and on the other, the Catholick Kings Ambas∣sador, Ferdinand Paceco Duke d'Ascalona, puff't him up and heated him with specious motives of Religion and Honour. The Cardinals did this to cast the good man into some Embarass, hoping the troubles of such a perplexed business would shorten his days. As for the Duke of Ascalona, he sought to revenge himself for some resentment he had against the Venetians, and thought hereby to give his Master an opportunity that might signalize his power in Italy.

The extraordinary Ambassador from the Seigniory coming too late, sound all things in a flame; and notwithstanding all the respects he could tender to the Cardinals, and all the Arguments and Reasons he could urge, he saw some time after, a Bull posted up in the publick places of Rome, declaring that the Duke, and the Senate, had by their un∣dertakings against the Authority of the Holy See, the rights of the Church, and the priviledges of the Ecclesiastiques, incurred those Censures contained in the Holy Ca∣nons, the Councils, and the Constitutions of the Popes, ordained them to deliver up the Prisoners into the hands of his Nuncio, declared their Decrees null and invalid, enjoyn∣ed they should revoke them, raze and tear them out of their Archives and Registries, and cause it to be proclaimed throughout all their Territories, that they had abolished them, and this within four and twenty days which he allowed as the utmost time. And in case they obeyed not, he declared Excommunicate them, their Abettors, Counsellors, and Adherents; And if after the four and twenty days prefixed, they did abide the Excom∣munication with stubbornness, then he aggravated the Sentence, and subjected the City and State of Venice to interdiction. This made Duodi retire from thence without taking his leave of the Pope, bringing along with him Nani the Ambassador in Ordinary from the Seigneory.

[month May, &c.] This thundring Bull was sent to all the Bishops within the Territories of the Seigneory to publish it: the number of those that obey'd was the lesser, the Senate had taken such good order there that this great flash of Lightning could set no part on fire: divine Ser∣vice went on still in the open Churches, and the Sacraments were administred as before. The Ancient Religious Orders stood firm, but most of the new ones quitted that Coun∣try, particularly the Capucins, and the Jesuits, both very strictly tyed to his Holiness interest: the latter having likewise somewhat to clear before him concerning the great Affair of the point of Grace, with the Dominicans; wherein they ran no less hazard, should they miscarry, then to be charged with temerity and errour.

[month June, July &c.] Whilst both parties were thinking to arm, the one to attaque, and the other to defend themselves, their men of Learning began the War by divers writings which they sent picqueering abroad. The most Signal that appeared on the Theatre for the Republick, were Pol Soave of the Order of the Servites, (vulgarly called Fra Paolo) John Marsile a Neapolitan, Doctor in Theology, and Fulgentius of the same fraternity with Pol Soave: on the opposite Cardinal Bellarmine, and the Cardinal Baronius ap∣peared the most zealous defenders of his Holiness. After these had dealt the heaviest blows, a confused multitude of meaner Authors tilted at one another; the meanest Law∣yers and Canonists presuming according to the party they espoused either to restrain or extend the Authority of the Pope beneath or above the Council and Canons; and to dis∣course of the power of Princes, and the boundaries of their Dominion.

It was to be feared lest a more dangerous shock should follow; the Pope drew his Forces together in the Dutchy of Spoleta, and had given the general Command of them

to Rainutio Farnese, Duke of Parma. He had promis'd himself to make his Cen∣sures [Year of our Lord 1606] more biting with the sharp edge of his Sword: and at first breath'd nothing but Battels and Sieges; but these were old mens flashes, which grew cold and drooping as soon as he began to feel the burt•••••• of the expence, the cares attending so great an enterprize, and the perple••ity he had run himself into.

The two most potent Princes of Christendom, the Kings of France and Spain outvied each other in offering their Assistance, but he perceived plainly that they at the same time treated with the Venetians, and designed only to make an accommodation and gain the honour and credit to themselves. The Spaniard had sent him a very obliging Let∣ter, and dispatched Francis de Castro Ambassador extraordinary to Venice. The King of France also dealt with his Holiness by Alincour his Ambassador in Ordinary, and towards the end of the year ordered the Cardinal de Joyeuse to go to the Venetians to Negociate the Treaty which was already much advanced by Fresne Canaye his Am∣bassador in Ordinary.

[Year of our Lord 1607] The Cardinal found nothing so difficult as the re-establishment of the Jesuits, the Se∣nate perswaded they had not only animated the Pope to lay the interdiction, but also [month January.] stirred every stone and tried all possible means to debauch the people, and the other reli∣gious Orders, had caused information against them touching other Criminal matters, and, as if they had been Convicted, banished them from all their Territories by a solemn Decree. Wherefore they stood stifly upon it, not to open the Door again for their re∣admittance; at least, till such time as by a deportment wholly contrary to the former they had taken away all just cause of suspicion and jealousie.

[month February.] As to the rest of the conditions, they soon agreed upon them. The Senate made a Vote to resign the Prisoners, and not execute their Decrees, till both Parties were sa∣tisfied therein; to revoke all their Edicts made against the Interdiction, and recall all the Religious Orders that had retired themselves, excepting the Jesuits. Recipro∣cally the Pope passed his word, to take off the Censures; and receive the Seigneury into his paternal affection. Joyeuse and d'Alincourt, Procurators for the King in this mediation, promised to subscribe to these conditions, and to become security to his Ho∣liness for performance: and his Holiness, upon the receipt of this writing from their hands, was to give Joyeuse power to take off the Censures.

[month March.] The Cardinal de Joyeuse went post to Rome with these Articles. The day after his Arrival, which was the Eighteenth of March, the Pope having admitted him to Audience, did again make great Efforts, at least in appearance, for the restoration of the Jesuits: for it concern'd him in honour not to forsake them visibly, since they had been expell'd for his quarrel. The Cardinal did as good as undertake to obtain this point, if they would leave the business absolutely to his management; but the Pope did not think that convenient. The Cardinal du Perron who was then at that Court upon some other account, employ'd his Eloquence to perswade him, he ought not to break off the agreement for the Jesuits sakes, since their return was not positively denied but only de∣ferred. The Pope pretended to yield to his ponderous reasons: but it appeared at last, that Du Perron's was a needless debate on that point; since the Spaniards, as was af∣ter known, bad secretly obtained of his Holiness, that he would make no further instance but for fashion-sake only; whereof they failed not to give the Senate Notice.

They had had all the share they could desire in the secret inward managing of this Affair▪ but they endeavour'd likewise to have the outward publick transacting. The French would never suffer et; which proved none of the least difficulties in the compleat∣ing it. For these Urafty Politicians resolving to have a hand in't, or to break it, sometimes demanded, that the taking off the Censures should be done at Rome, other∣while essay'd to have some new Clause added to the Popes Brief: Then again they en∣deavour'd to perswade, they ought to oblige those Bishops that had not obey'd, to come to Rome and defire absolution of his Holiness. None of these succeeding, they try'd to allarme him, by spreading a report; the Senate would protest against the surrender of the Prisoners: but the Cardinal de Joyeuse secur'd him from that apprehension. Ha∣ving made all these attempts in vain, they demanded that the Cardinal Sapate who had zealously stickled for the interests of his Holiness, might be associated with the Cardi∣nal de Joyeuse for the executing of the Brief: But Joyeuse told them plainly, he would sooner leave all as it was, then suffer any other whoever he were, to partake this ho∣nour with him.

[month April.] Wherefore, thus was their Affair determined. After the Cardinal was returned to Venice, and had consulted with the Seigneory, they appointed the one and twentieth of April for the Action. In the morning, of that day, before any other thing was done, the two P••••soners were brought to the Dukes House, and theredeliver'd into the

[Year of our Lord 1607] hands of a Doctor Commissioned by his Holiness for that purpose, in the presence of se∣veral Witnesses. That done the Cardinal entred alone into the Senate; when he had been there some time, they called in two Witnesses, before whom he caused the Brief of in∣terdiction, and Excommunication to be read, by a Herauld: After which he gave abso∣lution in due form, with the sign of the Cross, to the Senate, and to all those that had incurr'd the said Censures. An Act thereof was drawn up and signed by the Wit∣nesses then present.

The Ceremony being over, and the Gates open'd, the Count de Castro Ambassador of Spain, came to congratulate the Senate upon their reconciliation with the Holy Fa∣ther; and the Cardinal went to celebrate Mass pontifically, in the Patriarchal Church, where were present the Senate, and the Count de Castro, the people flocking thither from all parts with incredible▪ joy: Those Bishops that had not submitted to the Censures, recei∣ved absolution likewise; but whilst they were in dispute about the Conditions with those whom the Pope had preposed for this Affair, they wholly abstained from Celebrating, and thus in effect, submitted to the interdict after all.

The Senate honoured such as had written in their defence with good Pensions, and took them into their protection: but their whole power and care was not enough to secure Fra Paolo from the malice of some Assassines, who having watched him a long time, sur∣prized him one day as he was returning to his Monastery, and wounded him in several places with a Stiletto, but such care was taken in the cure that he recovered. After∣wards he hung up the Stiletto before an Altar in the Church belonging to his Convent with this inscription, Dei Filio liberatori: not so much perhaps to Consecrate his ac∣knowledgment to God, as to immortalize the horror of that Assassinate, and stir up the publick hatred against those who were believed to be the Authors.

I come now to the Truce between the Ʋnited Provinces and the King of Spain. The two parties were extremely fatigated with a War of above forty years con∣tinuance: they had both of them diversly resented the inconveniencies, and did dread the Event; the Spaniards had expended infinite Sums of Money, and lost more Men then those Countries were worth: They saw no probability of redu∣cing them by force, and apprehended withal that if they should chance to get too much advantage over them, they might cast themselves into the Arms of the French for protection, which would have drawn after them the other Provinces that were yet left them. But the greatest of their fears was, lest they should ut∣terly ruine their Trade to the Indies, and hinder the Arrival of their Flota's, [Year of our Lord 1606] which are their main subsistence. Besides, their Council imagined, that as the War had served only to exasperate and harden those People the more, and taught them better how to defend themselves, a Peace would soften them by little and little, recover their wonted communication, and perhaps incline them to respect their ancient Soveraign, at least the Catholick party who made up near a fourth part of those revolted Provinces. Withal, the Arch-Duke Albert most ardent∣ly desired the Peace, thereby to enjoy Flanders quietly, and be able to employ his Money and Friends to gain the Imperial Throne, which he expected would soon be vacant by the death of Rodolphus.

On the other hand, the Provinces finding themselves overwhelmed with debts, almost forsaken by the English, and under the apprehension of being so too by the French, who grew weary of contributing so much towards the expences of a War without reaping any apparent profit. Many of their Merchants imagined that a Peace would bring them Mines of Gold; and some being greatly allarm'd at the progress of Marquiss Spinola, who amongst other places had taken Grol, and Rhimbergue, took the freedom to say, That since they could not subsist of themselves in a separate body of State, it were better they should rejoyn them∣selves to their natural Lord, then to put themselves under another who would lie more heavy upon them, as being so near a Neighbour. A certain Flemming, named Caminga, one of the first of those who were otherwhile called Gueux, ha∣ving one night held such like discourse, was the next day found dead in his Bed at Embden.

Their dispositions being such on either part, the Arch-Dukes first sounded the Foord by Valrave, de Wittenhorst, and John Jevart who in the Month of May [month Decemb.] of the year 1606▪ first conferred with some particular Members of the States, then towards the end of the same year were heard in the Assembly of the States themselves. This first time, having represented the long and cruel miseries of War, and praised the mild and good intentions of the Arch-Dukes, they pro∣pounded

the re-union of those Provinces, with the rest, under the obedience of [Year of our Lord 1607] their ancient Prince, The States were not over-much pleased with the discourse and sent them back with an Answer directly contrary to their demand; viz. That by the Decree made at Utrecht Anno 1579. the King of Spain had lost his right of Soveraignty over those Provinces, and that they had been Ʋnited in one Body, and decla∣red a free State and Republick: the which had been confirmed by a prescription of more then five and twenty years, and by several Princes and States, with whom they had made [Year of our Lord 1607] divers Treaties and Confederations.

The Arch-Dukes, as is believed, made this Essay only in point of honour; for their Deputies sent immediately to let the States know, That the intention of their Princes was not to gain, or take advantage of the United-Provinces; but to leave them in the condition they then were in, and to Treat upon that foot.

This proposition did not displease the States: and on their side the Arch-Dukes [month February, and March.] to shew they acted sincerely, employ'd in this Negociation* 1.91 Father John Neyen or Ney, General of the Cordeliers, but who was a natural Flemming, and had been bred up in the Protestant Religion till the age of two and twenty years. His Father was one Martin Ney otherwhile very well known too and employed by the Father of Prince Maurice. As to the rest, his behaviour appeared to have so much of integrity, that notwithstanding his change of Religion, and Habit, the Hollanders had a great deal of confidence in him.

He brought them very obliging Letters from the Arch-Dukes, who offer'd amongst other things, (to take away all suspicion of any surprize) to depute none for this Treaty but Originaries of the Low-Countries; to hold the Confe∣rences in such place as it should please the States to chuse; to agree to a Truce of eight Months, and to get the conditions ratified by the King of Spain. The States accepted of the Truce, to begin on the fourth of May; the Letters of the ratification were deliver'd on either part, and publication thereof made. The difficulty was for the ratification from Spain, Lewis Verreiken, Secretary of State to the Arch-Dukes, brought it the fourteenth of July to the Hague; but as it was only in paper, subscribed Io el Rey, and sealed only with the little Seal; moreover, as it gave the Arch-Dukes the Title of Lords of the Low-Countreys, and they had omitted this Clause, That they should treat with those Provinces as holding them for a free Country. The States found it imperfect as well in form as in substance.

[month April, May, and June.] Mean time, the King of France who had received notice from the States, that they had accepted of a Truce, fearing the business should be managed to the disadvantage of his interest, resolved, that he might share in the Negociation, and make himself as Arbitrator, to send thither the President Janin, one of the best heads in his Kingdom, and Paul Choard Bazenval, to labour jointly with Elias de la* 1.92 Planche Russi (whom he had sent Ambassador to the States in the stead of Busenval) by communicating with the said States and fortifying them with their conceils. The King of England likewise would needs have his Am∣bassadors there, and by his example the King of Denmark, and the Protestant Princes; but those of France arrived there the eight and twentieth of May: those from England not till the Month of July; and the others about the end of the year.

The Ratification of Spain carried to Madrid, being brought agen to the Hague with some alterations; but not all those the States had mentioned, did not fully content them: Those that desired not the Peace, took occasion from thence, and from some other incidencies, to frame such Obstructions as made them spend four Months in contests only. Notwithstanding in the beginning of November, the States upon the instances of Father Ney, went on to the Nego∣ciation: [month Novemb. and Decemb.] but put this down for an immoveable and fixed point, That they should not in the least touch upon the foundation of their Liberty, and their right of Sove∣raignty, which they had acquired at the Expence of all that was dear to them in the world. Now because the Truce expired in January, they left it to the di∣scr••tion of the Arch-Dukes to prolong it for a Month, or Six Weeks. In these Messages too and fro was this whole year almost wasted.

It is held, that one of the Considerations which hastned most the Council of Spain to accept of this Truce, was their fear of losing the Indies, and their Mari∣time Forces; for the Hollanders had taken from them and Burnt, within three years, above Thirty great Galioons, and now newly had defeated their Admiral

[Year of our Lord 1607] Don Juan Alvarezd'Avila, in the very Port of Gibraltar, the Five and twentieth [month April.] day of April.

This Exploit may well be counted one of the most brave and resolute that ever was performed on the Seas. Jacob de Heemskerk Commanding the States Fleet, consisting of Twenty six Vessels, attaqued that of Spain, though above a third part stronger than his own, and under shelter of the Cannon both of the Town and Castle. He pursued the Admiral quite through the Enemies Fleet, having gi∣ven Command not to fire one Gun till they came Yard arm to Yard arm. Upon this neer approach, the Valiant Hollander had his Legg taken off by a Cannon Ball, whereof he died about an hour after; but in the interim harangued those with such force that were about him, and gave such good Orders, that his Men [month April.] gained the Victory, Burnt, or Sunk the Spanish Admiral, wherein d'Avila was, and Twelve Ships more, took Two hundred Prisoners, amongst whom was the Son of d'Avila, and kill'd above Two thousand Men, whereof above Fifty were Persons of Quality. This signal overthrow fill'd all Spain with mourning, and carried a very hot Alarm even to Madrid. It was believed that if the Victors had pursued their blow, they might have forced Gilbraltar, and Cadiz too; but they retired to Tituan, a place upon the Coast of Africa, belonging to the King of Fez, to refresh, and to repair themselves.

[Year of our Lord 1608] We are now in the year 1608. which is to this day called the Great Winter year, for the Cold which began to be very bitter on Sainct Thomas's Day, lasted above two Months without relenting in the least degree, excepting one or two days, and congealed, or if we may so express it, petrified all the Rivers, froze most of the young Vine-Roots, and other tender Plants, starved above half the Wildfowl and Small Birds in the Fields, great numbers of Travellers on the Roads, and near a fourth part of the Cattle that were housed, as well by its vio∣lent sharpness, as for want of Forrage. It was observed that the heats of the following Summer did almost equal the Severities of the Winter, and yet the year might be reck'ned amongst the most plentiful.

The Thaw caused no less damage than the hard Frost had done, the Cakes of Ice in the Rivers destroy'd a world of Boats, Keys, and Bridges; The Waters raised by the sudden melting of the Snows drowned the Valleys; and the Loire breaking down its Banks in many places, made a second deluge in the Neighbour∣ing Campagnes.

[Year of our Lord 1608] That which hapned at Lyons is a wonder worthy to be described; There was [month February.] a mountain of Ice-Cakes accumulated on the Saone, before the Church de l'Obser∣vance; the whole City trembled, for fear lest upon breaking loose, it should carry away the Bridge, and therefore made Publick Prayers to avert that Mis∣fortune and Damage: a simple Artisan undertook to make it break into little shivers, and swim away by degrees without any disorder, for a certain Sum of Money agreed upon by the Magistrates of the Town. To this effect, he on the Shoar right against it, lighted two or three small Fires, with half a dozen Fag∣gots, and a few Coals, and falls a muttering certain words. Immediately this prodigious glaciated Rock burst, with a noise like the report of a Cannon, into an infinity of pieces, the greatest not exceeding four or five foot. But, this poor fellow, instead of receiving his Reward, was in danger of receiving severe Pu∣nishment: for the Divines said, That the thing could not possibly be so done, without some operation of the Devil; so that his Recipe, or Charm, was burnt publickly in the Town-Hall. Ten, or Twelve years after he brought his Action in Parliament, for his Reward: I could never learn the success of it.

Henry last Duke of Montpensier, after he had languished two years with a He∣ctick Feaver, reduced to suck a Nurses Breast, expir'd about the end of February. His only Daughter a little before his Death was Contracted to the King's second Son; who dying young, she afterwards Married the third, whom we have seen Duke of Orleans, he came into the world the Five and twentieth of March fol∣lowing. Henrietta Catherine de Joyeuse, Widdow of Henry, re-married some time after to Charles Duke of Guise.

In the Month of May, Charles Duke of Lorraine, a good Prince, liberal and pacifick, passed from this life to the other, and had for Successor his eldest Son Henry Duke of Bar and Marquis du Pont.

Some perhaps would take it amiss should I forget, that the Duke of Neuers sent on an extraordinary Embassy to the Pope, to tender him the filial Obe∣dience, made his entrance into Rome upon the Five and twentieth of November,

the most magnificently that ever had been known upon the like occasion; and [Year of our Lord 1608] that the Holy Father caused a Jubilé to be published which commenced at Rome [month Novemb.] the Sixth of September, and Six Weeks afterwards at Paris.

I think I may in this year place the Invention of Perspective Glasses, because the use of them began now to grow common in Holland and France. A Spectacle-maker of Midleburg presented one which he had made to Prince Maurice, which seemed to bring any Object, though two Leagues distant within Two hundred paces of the Eye▪ for from the Hague they could easily discern the Dial at Delf, and the Windows of the Church at Leyden: the year following many were to be had in the Shops at Paris▪ but which could not descry a third part so far as those.

Some have named them Galileo's Glasses * 1.93, as if that famous Mathematician had invented them: but it is most certain this happy Discovery was made long before his time: We find manifest footsteps of them in the Works of Baptista Porta; and we must acknowledge that the Ancients made use of them, if that be true which Roger Bacon saith, That Julius Caesar being on the Belgic Shoar opposite to great Britain, did with certain great Burning-Glasses discover the Posture and Disposition of the Brit∣tish Army, and all the Coast along that Country. However it were, they have labour'd so happily to bring them to their full Perfection, that it will be difficult to make any further Addition or Improvement: The marvellous Observations which have been made and are daily taken of the Heaven by the help of them are a most illustrious proof of their Success.

As to the Subject of the Fougade at Westminster, the King of Great Britain who believed that all these Conspiracies proceeded from that Power which the Pope pre∣tended over Soveraigns, made an Oath of Fidelity, or Allegiance after a new form, wherein he obliged all his Subjects, to acknowledge that he was their true and lawful Soveraign, and that the Pope had neither of himself, nor from any other, the Power to depose Kings, or to warrant any Stranger Prince to invade their Coun∣try, or to dispense their Subjects from their Oaths of Allegiance: therefore should Swear to him, that notwithstanding any Sentence whatsoever of the Popes, they would faithfully obey him, and serve him, and his Successors, and should disco∣ver whatever Conspiracies they did know either against his Person, or against his State.

The Pope having notice hereof, sent a Brief to the Catholicks, to forbid them the taking this Oath. George Blackwell, Arch-Priest of England, being imprisoned upon the refusal he made of it, suffered himself at last, to be perswaded, that this Brief had been extorted, and that there was nothing contained in the Formulary of the Oath contrary to the Articles of Faith, so that he took it and caused it to be taken by the rest of the Catholicks in England. But the Pope by a second Brief, confirmed the first, and Cardinal Bellarmin wrote a Letter to Blackwel, to shew him that the said Oath wounded the Ʋnity of the Church, and the Authority of the Holy-See. He pub∣lished an Apology for this Oath; the Cardinal made an Answer; the King a reply, which he addressed to the Christian Princes. Some Authors concerned themselves in the quarrel; and it being a contest wherein the power of the Popes was debated, as likewise that of temporal Princes, it became the exercise and entertainment of the most learned men in Europe for some Months together.

The States of the United-Provinces had reason to make the Spaniards believe and see, that in case the Treaty of Peace were broken off, they should be assisted both by France and England; wherefore they had several times made instance to the Ambassadors of those Kings that they would enter into a good Defensive League for their preservation. The King of France did first agree, and Signed it the second day of January, notwithstanding the contrary advice of those of [month January.] his Council, whom a zeal for the Catholick Religion inclined indirectly to fa∣vour the Spaniard; the Ambassadors of the King of England having some points to settle with the States touching the liquidation of Arrears of Moneys, did not conclude it till four or five Months after.

Those of Spain deputed for the Peace; to wit, the Marquiss de Spinola Gene∣ral of King Philips Armies in the Low-Countries; John Crusel Richardot, Presi∣dent of the Privy-Council to the Arch-Dukes; John de Mancicidor, Secretary of War to King Philip; Frier John Neyen, or Ney, Commissary-General of the Order of Saint Francis, and Lewis Verreiken, prime Secretary of State to the Arch-Duke, Arrived at the Hague in the Month of January. The States depu∣ted

[Year of our Lord 1608] for the Generality William of Nassau, and the Lord de Brederode: and the seven Provinces named for each of them one of the most able and best qualify'd they had amongst them.

The Compliments made on either part, they began to assemble the Sixth day [month February.] of February. In the first Ten Sessions they produced their Procurations, and treated of an Amnesty, of Reprisals, and some other such Points which passed without much difficulty; but when they came to mention the Commerce of the East-Indies, there began the main of the Negociation, the States insisting to have the full liberty of that Trade; the Spaniards to exclude them; thinking there were only a few Merchants interested in that Trade, and that the rest would not concern themselves much for their preservation: but the Company which of late years was set up for the Indies, had forty Ships belonging to them, the least of five hundred Tun burthen, well provided for War, and each of the value of five and twenty thousand Crowns: Besides, fourscore more of six or se∣ven hundred Tun which traded to the West-Indies, not reck'ning a great num∣ber of smaller bulk for Guiney, and the Islands Saint Dominique. Being there∣fore animated by their profit, and withal upheld and countenanc'd by Prince Maurice, they made so much noise, and roused the publick by so many Manife∣sto's and discourses in Print, that their Deputies were obliged to stand to it.

Seeing therefore they could not agree upon that point, they quitted it to pass on to those concerning the reciprocal Trade in the Low-Countries, the renun∣ciation of reprisals, the declaration of their limits, the demolition and exchange of places, the Cassation of Sentences of Proscription and Confiscation, the re∣stitution of Goods, the Priviledges of Cities, the disbanding of Soldiers on each side, and many other points.

In the Memoirs of the President Janin are to be seen the difficulties that were created on either part upon different Articles, particularly about the restitution of places. How the Truce was prolonged two several times, the one to the end of May, the other till July. How Father Ney going into Spain for more ample powers, was detained there a long time by the slow motions, either natu∣ral, or artificial, of that Council: How the President Janin, sent for by the King, took a turn into France, and how Don Pedro de Toledo, who was then go∣ing to Germany, came at the same time, with design, as was believed, to found [month Septemb.] the Kings intentions, and to take him off from espousing the interests of the States.

We there find likewise the great jealousies the States conceived upon the Con∣ferences he had with the King, the Intrigues and Artifices of Prince Maurice to break this Treaty, the different Factions that were formed in that Country for and against it: Then the rupture of the said Treaty by the States, upon the Spaniards persisting to have the free exercise of the Catholick Religion re-esta∣blished in all their Territories, and that they should lay down the whole Trade and Navigation to the Indies; and in fine upon this rupture, the retreat of the Ambassadors of Spain, who took their leaves of the States the last day of Septem∣ber, and returned to Bruxels.

Those of France, and Great Britain, particularly the first, did not for all this leave off their Mediation, but propounded to both parties to make a long Truce, at least, since they could not agree upon the Articles for a perpetual Peace. Prince Maurice opposed it openly, because his employment must be at an end with the War: He had subject enough to declaim against the artifice of the Spaniard, and to entertain the peoples fears and jealousies; and talked the more confident and high, as having all the Sons of War on his side, and the Province of Zealand, besides four or five good places in his disposition, and the desires of the Protestant Princes, who apprehended lest during such a Truce the power of the Austrian House should fall upon their Backs.

But the Kings honour was too much concerned, after he had taken so much pains, and his interest likewise, (to disarm Flanders, which he designed to seize upon) not to bring this business to a conclusion. He pursued it therefore so [Year of our Lord 1609] warmly by intreaties, and menaces to the States, that their Deputies met again [month January, February, March and April.] at Antwerp on the five and twentieth of March, with those of Spain, and made a Truce for twelve years, which was proclaimed in that City the fourteenth day of April.

[Year of our Lord 1069] It imported amongst other things, That the Arch-Dukes treated with them in quali∣ty and as holding them for free Provinces, upon whom they had no manner of pre∣tence; That there should be a Cessation from all Acts of Hostility, but that in For∣raign Countries it should not commence till a year after; That Traffick should be free both by Sea and Land, which however the King of Spain limited to the Countries he held in Europe, not meaning the States should Trade into those others * 1.94, without his express Licence. That either should hold such places as were then in their possession, That such whose Estates had been seized or confiscate by reason of the War, or their Heirs, should have the enjoyment of them during the Truce, and should re-enter upon them without any other form of Justice; That the Subjects belonging to the States should have in the Kings and Arch-Dukes Countries the same liberty in Religion, as had been granted to the Subjects of the King of Great Britain by the last Treaty of Peace. Reciprocally the States promised, that there should be no alteration made in those Villages of Brabant which depended upon them, where hitherto there had been no other exercise of Religion but the Catholick; for which the Ambassadors gave their Gua∣ranty in writing.

The President Janin being returned to the Hague after the Publication, ex∣horted the States in behalf of the King, to grant to their Catholick Subjects the free exercise of their Religion; but all that he could obtain was, that they should be no more prosecuted nor troubled if they did it in their own houses, and for their private Families only.

If the power of Spain received a great shock by this Treaty, that which they procured themselves by the expulsion of the Moors was no less. After the ever∣sion of the Kingdom of Granada, great numbers of Mahometans and Jews were remaining in those Countries, who had settled and spread themselves in the Kingdoms of Valencia, Chastille and Andalouzia; they were baptized and pro∣fessed Christianity, for which reason they were called new Christians; but yet did secretly exercise the impieties of their fore-Fathers. They were reck'ned to be above twelve hundred thousand of both sexes. King Philip informed that for divers years they had sought for and courted the protection of the King of France, the Ʋnited-Provinces, the King of England, nay, even the Turks, and the King of Morocco; and suffering himself to be perswaded that upon a certain Good-Friday, they intended to cut the Throats of all the old Christians in those Countries where they inhabited, resolved to thrust them out of his Territories, not permitting them to carry away any thing, excepting some Merchandize of the Country; seizing and detaining their Gold and Silver, their Jewels and moveables, only he allowed the fourth part to the Nobility in recompence of the damage they sustained by such their banishment: for they improved and made the Lands yield more by one third to the Gentry, then the Spanish Tenants could do.

[Year of our Lord 1609▪ and 1610▪ till March.] This Edict was Executed with the utmost severity, even against those that were Priests, Friers, Officers of the Kings, and Allied to the most ancient Chri∣stian Families: they haled and tore them from the very Altars, Cloysters, Tri∣bunals of Justice; the Husbands from the Arms of their dearest Wives, the Wives from the Bosoms of their Husbands, the Fathers or Mothers from their tenderest Children. These wretches, part of them transported into Africa, part getting into France, and Italy, did most of them perish after divers man∣ners; some were drowned by those very Marriners who pretended to transport them; others Massacred by the Arabes; many being first stript and then turned away by those from whom they expected shelter, died of hunger, being in exe∣cration to the Christians as Infidels, and to the Infidels as Christians; so that of this huge Multitude, hardly could the fourth part make shift to save themselves. Spain will for a long time feel the smart of this more then barbarous inhumanity for the cruel expulsion of so many Myriads of Men, together with the continu∣al recruits they are ever sending to the Indies, and their natural lazy temper, has made of that Country, otherwhile the most peopled and the most cultivated in Europe, a vast and barren solitude.

Some Christian Pirates were retired to Tunis, and Algier, and had there got∣ten so many of their own stamp together, that they held the Streight of Gibral∣tar, as it were shut up, and dar'd even attaque whole Fleets. The Maloüins not able to endure these Robberies, fitted out some Vessels to set upon them: Captain Beaulieu their Commander, having consider'd of the means to destroy the

[Year of our Lord 1608] whole force of these Picaroons at one blow, conceived the boldest design that could be imagined. He resolved to attempt to burn their Ships even in the Port of Tunis, under the very Castle of Goletta. The Spaniards having joyned him with eight great Galioons, would needs second him in this generous enterprize. When the Wind stood fair, he put himself bravely in the Van, entred the Ha∣ven at noon day, passed under the Cannon of the Fort, against which he fired a hundred and fifty Broad-sides; then, observing his Vessels could get no nearer, he leaped into a Barque with forty Men only, and piercing thorow a continual Tempest of five and forty great Guns which thundred upon him from the Fort, went and put fire to the greatest Vessel first, whence it was convey'd to all the rest, and consumed three and thirty, whereof sixteen were fitted for Men of War, and one Galley.

[Year of our Lord 1609] The news of the death of Ferdinand de Medicis Duke of Tuscany, Uncle to [month February.] the Queen, interrupted those divertisements which were the chiefest oc∣cupations of the Court during the melancholy Winter Season, and made them lay aside the merry Carousels and the Balets. His Son Cosmo II. of that name succeeded him in his Estates.

[month June.] This year two memorable Edicts were published; one of the Month of June, to stop the fury of Duels; the other of the Month of May, to remedy or pre∣vent the too frequent Bankrupts. The first encreased the penalties ordained by the Precedent Laws against such as fought, and against their Seconds, made se∣veral rules for the reparation of affronts, and allowed such as had received any great injury to bring their complaints to the King, or else to the Connestable [☞] and Mareschals of France, and to demand leave to fight; which should be grant∣ed them if it were judged expedient for their honour.

The second punished the Bankrupts with death, as Robbers and publick Cheats; declared null all Conveyances, Sales, Grants, or Donations by them fraudulently made; ordained that even those that had received them, or had been assisting towards the receiving of their effects, or had induced or perswaded the Creditors to compound with them, should be chastised as Complices; for∣bid all their Creditors to give them any Letter of Licence or time of delay, upon pain of forfeiting their respective debts, and more if they transgressed.

Upon this there were great numbers that fled out of the Kingdom; but one of the most notorious, who sheltred himself in Flanders, being taken at Valen∣ciennes by permission of the Arch-Dukes, was brought to Paris, and by Arrest, or judgment, of the Masters of Requests made amende honorable with a Torch in hand, was put in the Pillory three several days, and then sent to the Galleys. A most necessary example to suppress the Roguy-shirkings of that sort of Cattle; For having hid their heads a while to oblige their Creditors to give away good part of what is their just due, they soon after appear again proud with the spoil [☞] of those they have thus defrauded, and think to cover their Guilt and Shame un∣der the impudence of a brazen fore-head.

[Year of our Lord 1609, and 1610.] Whilst the King was acquiring the Title of the Arbitrator of Christendom, by composing all the differences between the Neighbouring States, unhappy dis∣cord sliding into his own Family, rufled the tranquility of his mind, fill'd his heart with a thousand discontents, and sowred all the joy of his good success. The disdain of the Marchioness de Verneuil had a new encreased his passion, as on the other hand the pursuit he made to have her again within his power, and the Offensive Language she used, redoubled the Queens jealousie, and their Do∣mestique quarrels.

Sully, and some other of the Kings Confidents laboured in vain to reduce both the one and the other to the Kings will and pleasure; they threatned the Marchioness, that he would make choice of some other, and if once she lost his favour together with his heart, both she and her Children must inevitably be confined to some Monastery. In effect, he endeavour'd to wean himself from her, by making publick love to the Countess de Moret, and a while after to the Damoiselle des Essars. They at the same time represented to the Queen, that her passion did but alienate the Kings affection more and more, that Complai∣sance, tenderness and caresses were the only Charms to retain him; and that till she could prevail with him to forsake the illegitimate Objects, she ought in common prudence to make use of all her moderation, if she desired to obtain any favours for her, or hers. But Conchine, and Leonora Galigay, very remote from putting her into this disposition, having usurped so much power over her will,

that they governed her desires, her affection, and her passions, as they pleased, [Year of our Lord 1609] encouraged and soothed her more and more in her perverse humour.

The King had often been advised not to suffer those fatal brands so near her who every day put fire to the House, and would some time or other set the whole Kingdom in a flame: Don Juan de Medicis, having essay'd by his Order, to perswade the Queen to discard them, she fell into passion with injurious words and reproaches, and was so bent to do him some injury, whatever the King could do to appease her, that he was constrained to retire out of France. The impudence of those little rascally people grew to so great a height that they used Menaces, even against the Kings person, if he durst attempt theirs, as ma∣ny had often counsell'd him to do.

The zealous Catholicks of his Council, joyning with and pursuing the Queens intentions, maintained dangerous correspondencies with the Council of Spain by means of the Ambassador of Florence, and made much ado for the Marrying the Daufin, and the eldest Daughter of France, with the Son and Daughter of King Philip: insomuch, as that Prince, whether of his own Motion, or by their suggesti∣on gave command to Don Pedro de Toledo, (related to the Queen) whom he was sending into Germany, to sojourn some time in the Court of France and sound the Kings intentions.

We know not what Propositions he made to him in private, but it was suspe∣cted he had talked about making a League between the two Crowns to force all the Protestants to return to the Catholick Faith, and that he had offer'd to yield up all the Right his Master had to the Ʋnited Provinces, and to give them in Dower to the Daufin, with his eldest Daughter. But the King answered very coldly as to these Marriages: for he would have no Alliance with the Spaniard, he desired to Marry his Daufin with the eldest Daughter of Lorrain, to joyn that Dutchy to France: and had resolved to bestow the eldest of his Daughters, on the Duke of Savoy's eldest Son. It was said, that to indemnifie the Lorrain Princes who pretended their Dutchy was a Fief Masculine, he proposed to give them the Rank and Privilege, as Princes of his Blood immediately next those who really were so.

It had been already for some years past that the Duke of Savoy, dis-satisfied with the Spaniards, as well for that they had not allotted his Wife so good a share as her Sister Isabella, as also because they did not assist him in due time and place, sought to make his Fortune better on the French side, and omitted no op∣portunity of renewing the Propositions for the Conquest of Milan. In the year 1607. the Cardinal de Joyeuse, at his return from Venice, and Anno 1608. Vau∣celas, who had been sent to Turin to congratulate the Duke, upon the Marriage of his two Daughters with the Dukes of Mantoua and of Modena, brought the King some hints of it; but he did not then confide enough in him, or did not judge it yet time to declare himself. This year, Bullion being gone into Savoy upon some other Affairs, had order to declare his intentions to the Duke, and likewise to propound the Conquest of Milan for himself, excepting only some places he should leave to the Venetians, as being very commodious for them. The Duke opening both ears to such fair proffers, Bullion brought Lesdiguieres to discourse with him; And from that time was a League concluded, between the King and the Duke, Offensive and Defensive, of which the Marriage of his Son, with the eldest Daughter of France, was to be as it were the Seal, and Guarantie.

The design to reduce the House of Austria within the limits of Spain and its Hereditary Countries, was never out of the King's thoughts: Most of the Prin∣ces in Christendom, and above all, the Protestants, did eternally sollicit him to go about it; His Commanders desired it to have Employments; and the Hugue∣nots push'd the wheel forward, thereby to prevent any League between the two Crowns, which undoubtedly would have tended to exterminate them. On the contrary, the Catholicks, in whom some leaven of the old League was yet re∣maining, omitted nothing that might divert him; they believed it to be even a work of Piety to lend a helping hand to his Pleasures, that so his glass might run on in soft and idle hours: but though in other things he relied much on their Council, he seldom discover'd his Resolutions, nay hardly made any mention to them of any thing concerning this great Enterprise; and if he had delay'd it hi∣therto, it was but because he would take all his Precautions, and make all the ne∣cessary preparations before he would declare himself.

[Year of our Lord 1609] He had been fain, for this purpose, to settle a perfect Tranquillity in his own Kingdom, giving the factions time to cool and be extinguished, and the two Re∣ligions to become more compatible, as absolutely expedient. He had been fain to discharge his Debts, restore that Credit which the male-administration of the Treasury had forfeited, and moreover make Provision of Moneys, Ammunitions, Arms, Artillery, and select Men, and engage on his side all the Princes and States he possibly could. The Kings of Sweden and Denmark had given him their Parol at least four years since: The Ʋnited Provinces at the making of their Truce, assured him they would break it, when ever he should desire it: besides the Duke of Savoy, the Protestant Princes of Germany, and several Imperial Cities: The Duke of Bavaria entred into this League, upon the assurance that the Election to the Empire being made free, they would make him King of the Romans. The Venetians were promised some Cities in Milanois, and those of the Kingdom of Naples on the Adriatick Gulf: To the Swiss, the Country of Tirol, the Franche-Comté, and Alsace. The Pope did even suffer himself to be hook'd in, provided they would help him to re-unite the Kingdom of Naples to the Holy See, which would have afforded him most excellent means for accommodating his Nephews. Thus would all the Princes of Christendom have furnish'd themselves with the Spoil of the House of Austria; and the King, that the World might not have the same cause of Jealousie against him, as they justly had against the House he was going to help them Plunder, would not have retained one inch of Ground for himself, but have been content with the Glory only of this brave undertaking for his share.

After this, as there are now bounds to so noble a race of Honour, he design∣ed, when he should have setled the Limits and Pretensions of the Christian Prin∣ces, established a firm Peace and Union amongst them, and formed a general Council for this Christian Republick they should employ all the Forces of it, to ruine the Mahometan Tyranny. These Designs, without doubt, were not above his Courage, or his Power, but perhaps of an extent longer than his life and his health, being as he was Aged Six and fifty years, subject to the Gout, of which he had frequent Fits, and obliged every year to run thorow a course of Physick once at least, and oft-times twice.

[☞] Love, if it be permitted to say so, would needs have a hand in the Enterprize, and lend his Flambeau to help kindle this War, as he hath lighted almost all the greatest that ever have consumed Mankind. Henrietta Charlotta, Daughter of the Connestable de Montmorency, and of Lonisa de Budos his second Wife, appea∣red no sooner at Court, but she out-shined all other Beauties there: The first [ January and February.] time the King saw her, was in a Masque, or Balet, where she represented a Dia∣na, and held a Dart in her hand: She then inspired him with Sentiments quite contrary to those which that chaste Goddess should inspire mens Hearts withal.

The Confidents of this Prince's Passions, the young Charmers Parents, even those Petticoat Politicians about the Queen who thought by this new, to turn off all his old Mistresses, were disposed to serve him in this Courtship. All flatter'd and soothed his Passion, but she alone that could ease him; he fancied he might o'recome her, by raising her to the highest rank in the Court, next the Queen, and in that Prospect married her to the Prince of Condé, Young and Poor, who held all from his Power and Bounty, and had as yet neither Governments, nor any Employment, but who being what he was, and withal accomplish'd both in Body and Mind, might with a little more complaisance have been in a capacity to have obtained the Noblest Commands in the Kingdom. The Nuptials were so∣lemnized at Chantilly in the Month of March.

The Duke of Vendosme having attained the Age of Sixteen years, the King was impatient to Consummate his Marriage with Francis de Lorrain, only Son of the [month March.] deceased Duke of Mercoeur. The Mother, and some of the Virgins Kindred had ever made great opposition: in the end, Father Cotton, extremely persuasive and insinuating, disposed them to give the King this Satisfaction: The Fian∣cailles, or Betrothing, was made the precedent year: And in this the Marriage [month July.] was celebrated at Fontainbleau the Ninth of July.

It was about this time of rejoycing that the King's new flame, increasing by the Presence of the Princess of Condé, appeared so plain, and shone so bright and hot, as offended the Eyes of her Husband, and gave him a shrewd Fit of the Head-Ach. Then, the scrupulous, the discontented, the King's concealed Enemies, those People whose Malignity is never pleased but in Troubles, without any other

aim but to make mischief, and even the Queen her self, peeked him with Honour [Year of our Lord 1609] and Jealousie: He flies out and held Discourses very dis-respectful, the King chastizes him by taking away his subsistence which was in Pensions, and the Mo∣ney he had promised upon his Marriage.

This rough treatment had an effect quite contrary to what he desired; the Prince being the more enraged, and withal apprehending some violence from so head-strong a passion, though he had seen no such example in this good King, resolved to retire himself from Court. Having therefore disposed every thing for his design, he did, as we may say, steal away his wife the nine and twen∣tieth of August, set her behind him on Horse-back, and when he had rode some [month August.] Leagues, put her into a Coach with six Horses. He passed by Landrecy, with∣out entring there, and from thence travell'd with all speed to Bruxels, where the Popes Nuncio, and the Arch-Dukes received him with a great deal of joy, and render'd him all the honour that was due to his quality.

Upon the news of this unexpected Evasion, the King full of anger and love, could not dissemble his emotions, not even before the Queen, but yet endea∣vour'd to colour them with reason of State. His Council was of Opinion he should resolve on nothing in so important a business, till they were certain of the place of his retreat. A Month afterwards they had certain notice he was at Bruxels; then the King order'd Praslin, Captain of his Guards, to go to the Arch-Dukes and demand they should surrender to him the first Prince of his [month October.] Blood. To which they answered, That the consideration and esteem they had for that Noble Blood having obliged them to allow him a retreat, the Laws of Hospitality, and honour would not suffer them to deliver him up: and that there was no ground to fear he would attempt any thing either in word or deed contrary to that respect and service which he owed him.

This Answer did not satisfie the King, he counted as dishonour all the honour they could shew to him who had incurr'd his disfavour, and had carried Reports into stranger Countries which wounded his reputation. Besides, the too great familiarity that Prince had contracted with the Duke d'Aumale a mortal enemy to his person, gave him a plausible pretence to evaporate his cholerick transports, which were known to be produced by another and a fairer cause. He therefore sent Ambassadors to the Arch-Dukes, who spake yet lowder to them then Pras∣lin, yet gained no more then he. Some of his Confidents, thinking to do him good service, would needs employ themselves without Commission, and made at∣tempts [month Novemb.] to steal away the Princess; and others agen, more imprudent then the first, contrived some against the Prince himself, the rumour of it being spread in Bruxels (this was in February Anno 1610.) the whole City put themselves in Arms to defend so Noble a Guest; but he, fearing some dangerous Event, re∣tired from thence, and passed into Milan.

The Count de Fuentes, a furious Enemy to the King, set malitiously a report [Year of our Lord 1610] on Wing, that he had put the price of two hundred thousand Crowns [month February.] upon his head; and under that pretence, ordered a Guard both of Horse and Foot to attend him, which he did not so much for the safety of his person, as to vilifie the reputation of the King, and hinder any Envoy from reclaiming that Prince either by making him some offers very advantageous, or by bringing him to abhor and repent what he had done. He had, in effect, some reason to apprehend such a change, since notwithstanding all this Precaution the Prince, as it was said, began to listen to the propositions were made him by France, and was going to submit and comply when the death of the King hap∣ned.

Whatever some may have said, the greatest passion the King had was for Fame in the pursuit of his brave and noble design. The death of John William, Duke of Cleve, Juliers and Bergh, Count de la Mark, and Lord of Ravestein, hapning the five and twentieth of March, afforded him a specious overture. This Prince [Year of our Lord 1609] was Son of Duke William, who was so of John Duke of Cleves, Count de la [month March, &c.] Mark, and Lord of Ravestein, which John had espoused Mary, Daughter and Heiress of William Duke of Juliers and Bergh, and Lord of Ravensburgh. Ob∣serve it was expresly said in their Contract, That those Lands should ever remain united in one hand, thereby to be enabled the better to defend themselves against their Neighbours who became too powerful.

The Succession of Duke John William was extremely litigious amongst his Heirs, as well because of the divers dispositions of the Dukes his Predecessors,

[Year of our Lord 1610] as the Constitutions of the several Emperors, directly contrary to one another. For some had treated these Dutchies as Fiefs Masculine; others would have it that they might fall to the distaff or females. The Emperor Frederic III. had con∣ceded them to Albert Duke of Saxony, for services rendred to the Empire, in case those who then were in possession should come to dye without Heirs Males; and Maximilian I. had ratified this concession two several times. Afterwards, quite contrary, when William Son of Duke John, (and Brother of Sibylla married to John Frederic, soon after Elector of Saxony) espoused Mary of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Sister of Charles V. (this was in Anno 1545.) that Emperor granted to him, (and his Successors confirm'd it)

That if they left no Sons of this Marriage, the Daughters should be capable of succeeding in all his Estates, the Eldest first, & then the younger consecutively one after another: and if there were none living at the time of the decease of the Father, the said principalities should appertain to their Male-Children.

The same condition had been apposed in the Contract of Sibylla, Sister of this William in the year 1526. when Duke John their Father Marry'd her to the said Frederic Elector of Saxony, who was afterwards defeated and destituted of his Dutchy by the Emperor Charles V.

Now this William, Son of Duke John, had had a Son; to wit, the John Wil∣liam whose death we now mention'd; and four Daughters, who were Mary-Eleonora, Anne, Magdalen, and Sybilla. These Daughters had Married, the first, Albert Frederick Duke of Prussia, Anno 1572. of whom there were none but Daughters remaining: The second Philip Ludovic Duke of Newburg, of whom were born Wolfang, and some other Males: The third, John Duke of Deux-Ponts * 1.95, Brother of that Ludovic, who dyed before Duke John William, but had left Sons: and the last Charles of Austria, Marquiss of Burgaw, of whom there were no Children. Of Mary-Eleonora and Albert were produced many Sons who died young; and four Daughters, the eldest of whom named Anne, espoused John Sigismund of Brandenburgh, who was Elector and Duke of Prussia: The fourth was wife of John Georges Brother of Christian II. Elector of Saxony. We have nothing to do with the other two.

Brandenburg pretended intirely to this Succession for his Son George William, who was Issue of Anne Daughter of Mary-Eleonora the Eldest of the four Sisters. But the Duke of Saxony demanded all these Principalities likewise, founding his right upon the donation of the Emperors Frederic and Maximilian, which he maintained to be good, since the said Fiefs were Masculine; and urged that the following Emperors could not otherwise dispose of them to the prejudice of the Laws and Customs of the Empire, and contrary to the nature of those Lands. The same Duke had two more claims besides this; the one for John George his Brother who had Married the fourth Daughter of Mary-Eleonora, the o∣ther was for the Princes of the Branch of Weymar, and that of Koburg, Issue of John Frederic, Elector of Saxony, (dispoliate by Charles V.) and of Sibylla, Sister of William II. Duke of Cleves, and Juliers, Father of John William.

I speak not of the pretensions of the Duke de Nevers, and of Henry de la Mark Count de Maulevrier, whereof the first said he was Heir of the House of Cleves; the other of the House de la Mark; for they did not pursue it with much vigour.

Volfgang* 1.96 Eldest Son of the Duke of Newburgh entred the first into the Coun∣try [Year of our Lord 1609] to make demand of the rights of Anne his Mother: Immediately afterwards [month May and June.] Brandenburgh sent his Brother earnest thither for those of his Son. These two Princes not able to come to an agreement made a transaction, by the mediation of the Landgrave of Hesse; by which they promised to end their differences amicably, to employ their Forces joyntly against any who to their prejudice should offer to seize upon those Lands; and to administer them, per individuum, and without prejudice to the rights of the Empire, and the other pretenders. Soon after, an Assembly of the States of that Country being held at Dusseldorp, the King of France sent to desire them to approve of this Treaty, and declared him∣self openly enough for those two Princes.

But the Emperor, in case of litigation, taking himself to be the Natural, and Sovereign Judge between Parties contending for Fiefs holding of the Empire, maintain'd that the Sequestration belonged to him till a definitive sentence: therefore he caused them all to be Assigned before him by an Act of the four and twentieth of May, and gave Commission to the Arch-Duke Leopoldus, Bi∣shop of Strasburgh, and Passau, to take those Territories into his hands. The

City of Juliers received him, having been surprized by their Seneschal, who [Year of our Lord 1609] slipt away from the Estates of Dusseldorp; but most of the other places gave [month May, &c.] themselves up to the two Princes. Then the Acts of Hostility began between them and Leopold, with several Mandates from the Emperor, Manifesto's and Apologies, which both the one and the other sent into all parts of Christen∣dom.

The Interests of all the German Princes were very much perplexed, and incer∣tain, in this Affair: on the one side they all equally apprehended, as well the Catholick, as the Protestants, lest the Emperor under pretence of Sequestra∣tion, should make himself Master of those Countries, and aggrandize his own house by it. On the other side, the Catholicks feared that the Protestant Princes if they remained in possession, would become the strongest, and oppress them. Upon this consideration, they contrived a League Defensive among themselves, the Duke of Bavaria made himself the Head, and drew in the Electors of [Year of our Lord 1609] Mentz and Triers: altogether sent away dispatches to Rome and to Spain to have [month November, and Decemb.] the Assistance of his Holiness, and of the Catholick King; and when they had obtained a favourable Answer, they held an Assembly at Wirtsburg, where Leo∣pold was present.

A month after the Catholick Electors, and the Princes of the House of Austria went to the Emperor at Prague, with design to Elect a King of the Romans, whilst the Emperor was yet living* 1.97 for fear lest after his death the Protestants should make one of their own Religion. There were some so confident as to propound the Duke of Bavaria; and the Jesuits who were very powerful in that party, were not much averse to it, because they hoped to Govern that Prince as they pleased: nevertheless that very consideration, and the great in∣terest of the House of Austria turned most of the Votes for Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Graits, Cousin to Rodolphus.

The Protestants at the same time assembled at Hall in Suabia, where there ap∣peared fourteen Princes of that Religion, above twenty qualified Lords, and Deputies from all the great Protestant Cities. Amongst those Princes, was the Elector of Brandenburg, Frederic-Ludovic Duke of Newburg, and Christian Prince of Anhalt. This last being sent by the two others into France, brought word back that the King highly embraced their defence, and that in the Spring he would March in person to their Assistance; For proof whereof he brought with him an Ambassador from the King, he was named Boissise. The States of [month January.] the United-Provinces, promised likewise to aid the two Princes, but not openly, till they were certain the King had sent four thousand Foot, and a thousand Horse to those Frontiers.

What they Treated at Hall was kept very secret, the Princes writing down their resolutions with their own hands not trusting to their Secretaries. It was said that they had agreed and resolved to consider of the means to retrieve the City of Donaverd out of the power of the Duke of Bavaria (who had taken it upon pretence it was under the Imperial Ban for some Violencies Committed against the Catholicks;) to satisfie the Duke of Saxony for the succession of Ju∣liers; to Elect a King of the Romans, and to make a Counter-League in case the Pope and the House of Austria formed any to oppress them.

It would be difficult to judge how intrigues so perplexed as these, could have [month February, and March.] been disintangled to the content of the Protestants, and satisfaction of the Ca∣tholicks. The King pretended to say, and had even openly declared to the for∣mer, that he did not mean there should be any thing changed as to the Religion of the Countries of Cleves and Juliers, and had assured the Popes Nuncio that if he assisted them, it was principally to oblige them by his good Offices to Treat the Catholicks kindly in their Territories, and perhaps to make them to become so themselves.

This Declaration gave some ombrage to the Protestants, and did not fully sa∣tisfie the Catholicks. The Nuncio who knew not the intentions of his Master, could not keep silence: those that were yet tainted with the Leaven of the old League, endeavour'd to patch up a new one; And it was said, the foundations of it were laid at la Flesche. For a Woman affirmed she had seen in a house where they kept many Scholars, certain Registers in which many had subscribed with Signatures of Blood. It is certain that this year there were great num∣bers of persons imprisoned at Paris and elsewhere for some kind of Con∣spiracies, and that they were released immediately after the death of the

[Year of our Lord 1610] King, none daring, or perhaps none desiring to search deeper into so dangerous a Secret.

It could not but notoriously be known by this time that the King had in hand [month April and May.] greater Designs than these only concerning the Affairs of Cleves and Juliers: for he had above Thirty thousand Foot, and Six thousand Horse, all select Men, marching towards Champagne. Lesdiguieres, whom he had made Mareschal of France after the Death of d'Ornane, had Twelve thousand Foot, and Two thou∣sand Horse; the Duke of Savoy, and the Venetians were to joyn him with Thirty thousand more: the Princes of Germany had but few less, and the Ʋnited Pro∣vinces upward of Sixteen thousand. I do not mention the Sea-forces, which with those of Denmark and Sweden, would have made up a Fleet of near Six-score Sail, all great Ships, and well mann'd and provided.

It was reck'ned this War, (not including the advance Money and Charges for raising of Men, besides the Ammunitions, and Artillery) would cost the King Twelve hundred and Fifty thousand Crowns per mensem, and as much for Payment of the Armies of his Allies; viz. The Duke of Savoys, the Venetians, the Popes, the German Princes, the Danes, the Swedes, and the Ʋnited Provinces; and he had wherewithal to maintain these Expences five years together, without grinding his People by new Taxes, for he had above Forty one Millions of ready Money, whereof Two and twenty lay in the Bastille, besides his certain Revenue, of which there came effectually into his Coffers, all Charges defray'd, Six Millions yearly. Moreover his Super-Intendant, in case of necessity, promised an Hun∣dred seventy and five more upon Parties extraordinary; but which we may well doubt they could never have gotten in without greatly grieving and burthening the Kingdom.

The House of Austria took no great care to provide themselves against so rude a Shoe: which made it be believed they relied upon some strange accident, con∣cealed from their Enemies, but whereof they held the Instruments and secret Engines in their own disposal, which they could let loose to do the certain exe∣cution in any case of extremity. Many fancied they were in the bosom of France, and even hid in the Royal Family. A certain Damoiselle, named Anne de Comans, gave Information of a horrible Conspiracy against the Person of the King. After he was dead, she persisted in the same discovery, and gave her Narrative in Wri∣ting, but they pretended she was mad, and shut her up. Whether she were so, or not, such as did hear and had examin'd her, might have left us their opinions; but the Juncture of those times, and the too great importance of the subject have wholly suppressed many strange things.

It is most certain that there were more than one single Conspiracy against this good King: his Enemies had forged of so many sorts, and on so many sides, that it was very improbable if not impossible he should escape. They looked upon his Death as so certain a thing in Foreign Countries, that there came News of it from Spain to France, that they Published it in Milan almost a Month before; that several Merchants of the Low-Countries writing to their Correspondents in Paris, desired to be informed whether the report was true; and that on the Eight of the Month May, whereas he was killed the Fourteenth, a Courrier passed thorow Liege, and bawled aloud, that he was going to carry the News to the Princes of Germany. Was it that they thought to intimidate him therewith, and would emply their menaces before they would proceed to the execution.

Conchine in the mean time, and those of his Cabal did incessantly encrease the Queens jealousies, and maliciously made her believe that the infinite Love the King had for the Princess might transport him to dangerous Extremities. Assu∣redly a Prince so good and so just, could not be capable of it; neither did he omit any devoir or tenderness of a Husband to take away all such-like Suspitions. He [month April and May.] left the Regency of the Kingdom to her; but because he did but moderate, or qualifie it by a Council and such Orders as were necessary, the precaution did much displease Conchine; who to extend his Authority by enlarging the Queens Power, inspired her that it was necessary she should be crowned before the King's departure.

Already the Forces were marching towards the Frontiers of Champagne, the Train of Artillery was gone, and they had sent to demand passage of the Arch-Duke thorow his Territories; this demand was to be followed close, the least demurr would have been prejudicial, and besides that Ceremony of a Coronation did not agree well with the great Embarass of present Affairs, no more than the

Expence which she required could be compatible with the vast Charges necessary [Year of our Lord 1610] for so great a War. Moreover could the thing in its own Nature have been agreeable to him, the obstinate eagerness she pressed him withal must have given him some aversion. Nevertheless, as he could refuse nothing to importunities, when they were very earnest, he suffer'd himself to be persuaded to give her this Satisfaction.

[month May.] She received it in the Church of Sainct Denis the 12th day of May, with the accustomed Ceremonies, and a Pomp extraordinary Magnificent, himself taking the care to do the Honours, and to give the Orders. There was some contest between the Ambassadors of Spain, and those of Venice; who proceeding to blows rather augmented the pleasure of the day than any way less'ned or discomposed it. The Count de Soissons being picqu'd upon I know not what Punctilio of Honour, touching the Ornaments of his Wives Robes, and the Habits of the King's Na∣tural Children, did not appear at this Festival, but retired to his house of Blandy; an Absence which in few days proved very prejudicial to his Affairs.

After the Coronation of the Queen, her entrance into Paris was appointed for the fifteenth of the Month, they caused Portico's to be Erected, Trium∣phant Arches, Inscriptions, Statues, and Scaffolds in those Streets she was to pass thorow, and were preparing a stately Treat in the Palais; for which rea∣son the Parliament, to leave the place at full liberty, held their Session in the Augustins. The King in the interim overwhelmed with cruel anxiety and a melancholly of which he could not possibly divine the cause, felt in himself the Symptomes of that unhappiness which threatned him. One would have said he had the Dagger already in his bosom: He was often heard to send forth doleful sighs and words of ill presage; the Heavens and Earth (if we may give faith to such things) did also afford him some very sinister ones. It was observ∣ed that some days before, the May which had been Planted in the Court-Yard of the Louvre was faln down of it self. A Star appeared visibly at Noon-day in the Year 1609. the year preceding that a great Comet had been seen; and the Loire over-flow'd most furiously, as it had done a while before the violent deaths of the two Kings Henry II. and Henry III. The same year likewise the Inhabitants of Angoulmois, both Gentry and Peasants, affirmed they had beheld a frightful pro∣digy; it was a fantastique Army, which seemed to consist of about eight or ten thousand Men, with Ensigns party-colour'd of blew and red * 1.98, Drummers ready to beat, and a Commander of great appearance at the head of them, who having Marched upon the Earth for above a League together, lost himself in a Wood. It was about two years past that a Priest found upon an Altar at Mon∣targis, a Ticket which gave notice the King would be Assassinated. And about the same time, two Gentlemen of Gascogny, of different places, and of diffe∣rent Religions, came expresly to Court to advertise him of the doleful and pressing Visions they affirmed to have had upon the same subject. Of three or four of his Horoscopes terminated his life in his fifty seventh year. Divers Prognosticators, amongst others he who had otherwhile foretold the Duke of Mayenne the Murther of the Duke of Guise his Brother, and the loss of the Battel of Ivry, advertis'd him of an approaching and very sudden danger: There was one so bold as to tell the Queen, that Festival would con∣clude in Mourning and in Tears: and that Princess starting one night out of her sleep, weeping told the King she dreamt they were stabbing him with a Knife. Himself was not ignorant that the number of the years of his Reign, according as a Magician had computed to Queen Catherine de Medicis, were even almost accom∣plished; and he had some kind of confused knowledge of divers Conspiracies which were hatching against his person. He in his life time had discovered above fifty, many contrived or fomented by Church-men or some of the religi∣ous Orders, (such pernicious effects does indiscreet zeal produce:) but he could not avoid this last, his hour was come, and it seems all the former warn∣ings which Heaven gave him, were not so much to save him from the fatal blow, as to make men certainly see and understand that there is a Soveraign Power, [☜] which disposes of futurity. Since it so certainly knows and fore-tells it.

[month May.] It had been a long time this execrable Monster, named Francis Ravaillac, had formed this resolution to Murther him. He was a Native of Angoulesme, Aged about two and thirty years, Son of a Man belonging to the Law, living at that time. In the beginning he had follow'd the Trade of his Father, then ran into a Convent of the Fueillans, and was a Novice there; but they thrust him out

[Year of our Lord 1610] for his extravagant whimsies. Some while after he was imprisoned for a Murther, of which notwithstanding he was never convicted; being freed from thence he began anew to sollicite Law-Suits, of which he had lost one in his own name, for an Estate and Succession; insomuch as he was reduced to turn Pe∣dant and teach the poor peoples Children in the City of Angoulesme. The austerity of the Cloister, the obscurity of his Prison, the loss of his process, and the extreme necessity whereunto he was reduced, confounded his judgment and ir∣ritated more and more his atrabilary humour. From his early youth, the Frenzies of the League, their Libels, and the Factious Sermons of their Ignivo∣mous and Sanguinary Pulpiteers had imprinted in his mind a very great aversion for the King, with this belief, That it was lawful to kill those who brought the Catholick Religion into danger, or made a War upon the Pope: He was so very hot in these matters, that he could not so much as hear any body pro∣nounce the name of Huguenot, but he fell into a fury.

Those that had premeditated to ridd themselves of the King, finding this in∣strument so proper to act their Design, knew very well how to confirm him in his Sentiments▪ they had people at their beck who haunted him eternally, though he knew not their intents, who caused him to be instructed by their Doctors, and enchanted him with supposed Visions, and the other the like diabolical Arts. There are proofs, that they carried him as far as Naples, where in an Assembly, at the Vice-Roy's Palace, he met with many others who had all devoted them∣selves to the same end; They made him come from Angoulesme to Paris two or three times: in fine, they managed and guided him so well to their liking and purpose, that by his sacrilegious hand they perpetrated the detestable resolutions of their own wicked and accursed hearts.

The day after that of the Queens entrance, the King was to have made the Marriage of Mademoiselle de Vandosme, the eldest of his natural Daughters, and the following day the Feast; then the next Morning to mount on Horse-back and go to his Army: But on the Evening of the Day of Entrance, which was a Friday, a little before four of the Clock, as he was going to the Arsenal with∣out Guards, to confer with the Duke of Sully, an Embarrass of certain Carts having stopt his Coach in the midst of the Street de la Feronerie, and his Valets, or Foot-men, passing under the Channels of Sainct Innocents; this Devil incar∣nate, stept upon a spoak of one of the hind Wheels, and advancing his Body into the Coach gave him two stabbs in the Breast with a Knife, the first glanced along the fifth and sixth Ribb, and did not enter his Body; but the second cut the Arterial Vein above the Ventricle of the heart; so that the Blood bursting forth with impetuosity, choacked him in a moment, he not being able to utter one word.

It had been foretold him, he should die in a Coach, so that upon the least jolt, he would cry out as if he beheld the Grave open'd ready to swallow him: But yet imagin'd he had escaped the effect of that prediction after two great ha∣zards he run thorow, the one at his going to visit the Dutchess of Beaufort; the other in the Ferry-boat of Nully, whereof we have made mention.

So strange an amazement and terror seized upon those who were present at this Tragical Accident, that if Ravaillac had but dropt his Knife, they could not then have discover'd him; but being taken holding it yet in his hand, he owned the Fact as boldly as if he had performed some Heroique Action. There were two things then observed, from which the Reader may draw what consequence he pleases; the one, That when they had taken him, seven or eight Men were seen to come up with their drawn Swords, who cried aloud he deser∣ved [☞] and ought to be cut in pieces presently, and then immediately sheltred them∣selves in the Crowd: the other, That he was not presently put into Goal, but into the hands of Montigny, where they kept him two days in the Hostel de Rais with so little care, that all sorts of people spake with him: and amongst others, a Frier who had great Obligations to the King, having accosted him, and called him My Friend, said to him, he should have a care of accusing honest people.

There were in the Kings Coach, the Dukes of Espernon and of Montbason, the Mareschals de Lavardin and de Roquelaure; and the Marquesses de la Force and de Mirebeau: these Lords being allighted, and having cover'd his face, and drawn the Curtains, made them drive back towards the Louvre, and commanded at their Entrance, they should call out for a Chyrurgeon and some Wine, that it

might be believed he was not yet dead. They laid his Bleeding Corps upon a [Year of our Lord 1610] Bed with negligence enough; and he was there exposed for some hours to any that would see him▪ but attended or regarded only by those who had no great interest of Fortune at the Court: All such as were in hopes of any thought more upon their own Affairs, than on him who could now do no more for them: Thus was there but a moment space between their Adorations and Oblivion.

[☜] The pressing necessity of Affairs obliged the Queen to disband her Sorrows and dry up her Tears, she left the care and present management of all Affairs to such as she confided in most, particularly to the Duke of Espernon, and the Ma∣reschal de Lavardin. We shall show in the following Reign, if the times will permit us, how the Court wholly changed it's Face, the Government its Maximes, the Ministers their designs: How the Orders which Henry the Great had esta∣blished were renversed, his Oeconomies dissipated, his faithful Servants turned out of doors, and his Alliances forsaken, to take up new ones: so that France, which was so lately triumphant and Mistress of Europe, saw her self almost redu∣ced [month May.] under the Government and Direction of Spain, and the Agents of the Court of Rome, who were the Oracles of the Regency. It must however be acknow∣ledged, that it proved very happy both for the quiet and the ease of the People in general.

So soon as the King was dead, the Duke of Espernon ran to order the Compa∣nies of the Regiment that had the Guard, to seize upon the Gates of the Louvre, sent for the rest who were quarter'd in the Fauxbourgs, to come and post them∣selves upon the Pont-neuf, in the Street Daufine, and about the Augustins, there∣by to invest the Parliament, and compel them, if requisite, to declare the Queen, Regent. The President de Blanc-mesnil who then held the Afternoon Audience, broke off, upon the dreadful rumour of the King's being wounded; but durst not, or would not stir from thence: And in the mean time, the President Seguier, whom the Duke of Espernon had been with for his advice and assistance, came thither immediately, with a good number of his Friends: So that the Com∣pany was assembled to serve the Duke in his Design.

Amidst that innumerable and confused multitude of People wherewith Paris was then thronged, who were of so great diversity of Humours and Interests; amidst the Animosities betwixt the Catholicks and the Huguenots, the Feuds amongst the Grandees, the Suspitions which the one cast upon the other concerning this Mur∣ther; the specious pretence there was to animate the People to revenge the Death of a Prince so greatly and generally beloved, and the avidity of the Ras∣cally sort to be Plundering: it is manifest that the least spark of Sedition would have set all Paris in a flame, and the more easily, because the Bourgeoisie had their Arms in readiness, having Mustered twice or thrice a Week for above a Month, to be prepared for the entrance of the Queen. The Prudence of her Magistrates, I mean the Prevost des Marchands, and the Lieutenant Civil did most happily ob∣viate those Disorders: The first, was James Sanguin; the second, Nicholas le Jay, a man of great Sence, and who had acquired a great deal of Credit amongst the Citizens, because he made the Honor of his Office to consist in serving the Publick well. Both appeared every where about the Streets, amused the popu∣lace with divers reports, exhorted the considerablest Bourgeois to keep them in awe, managed every thing so wisely, and gave such excellent Orders; the one Commanding the Captains of every Precinct, the other the Commissaries, Ar∣chers and Huissiers, to be in a readiness, that nothing was able to make the least disturbance.

Henry IV. died in the midst of the Fifty seventh year of his Age, three Months before the end of the Two and twentieth of his Reign, leaving three Sons, and three Daughters by Mary de Medicis his Second, or rather his only Wife, since the Marriage between him and Margaret de Valois was declared Null. The eld∣est named Lewis, hath reigned; the second had no Baptismal Name, and died within the fourth year of his Childhood: he bare the Title of Duke of Orleans: The Third had it likewise, and the Name of John Baptista Gaston. The three Daughters were called Elizabeth, Christian, and Henriette-Maria. The eldest was Wife of Philip IV. King of Spains; the second, of Victor Amedea, Prince of Piedmont, then Duke of Savoy after the death of Duke Charles his Father; the last, of Charles I. King of Great Britain.

The number of his Natural Children did by much surpass his Legitimate ones: for besides those whom he would not, or could not well own, he had Eleven, S ix

[Year of our Lord 1610] by Gabriella d'Estree, which were Caesar Duke de Vendosme, Lewis, Francis, and Isabella, these three died young; Alexander Grand Prior of France, and Catharine Henrietta Wife of Charles Duke de Elbaeuf; Two by Henrietta de Balsac d'En∣tragues, to wit, Henry Duke de Verneüil and Bishop of Mets, at present Go∣vernor of Languedoc, and Gabriella Wife of Bernard de Nogaret, Duke de la Valette, then Duke of Espernon; one, only, by Jacqueline de Bueil, which was Anthony Count de Moret: And two Daughters by Charlotta des Essars, a private Gentle∣woman; They were named Jane, and Mary Henrietta; the former was Abbess of Fontevrault, and the latter of Chelles.

It may be seen and judged by the course of his whole life, whether he justly merited the Title they gave him of Great, with that of Arbitrator of Christendom. There were some would needs reproach him; That he loved Money too well, and that to gather it he exposed his Kingdom to the avidity of Partisans, who amongst a great number of odd Projects they put him upon, made him establish the Paulete, or Annual right; That the inquisition he made after such Catter∣pillers served more to confirm their Robberies, than to punish them; That lov∣ing a little too much to be soothed, he gave a freer access to Charlatans and Flat∣terers, than to his prudent and faithful Counsellors; and that he often suffer'd importunity to wrest those favours from him which he had refused to bestow on Merit. They added, That he was very liberal of Caresses and fair words towards the Sword men, when he stood in greatest need of them, but the Peril once pass'd, their Services were as soon forgotten; and that he oftner gave rewards to those who had done him Mischief, than to such as Sacrificed their Fortunes for his Interest and Advantage; That he did not much trouble himself to restrain the concussions of his Lawyers and Justices, though he were well enough acquain∣ted and informed thereof, but let them go on impunitively, provided they did not oppose his absolute Will, and the verification of his Edicts; That he had suffer'd those belonging to the Treasury to ally themselves with the Officers of his Soveraign Courts, who before controul'd their misdemeanour, whence conse∣quently followed, that the one being fortified by the other, they feather'd and deck'd themselves with the richest Plumes and Spoil the War had stripp'd the ho∣nest [✚] Gentry of: So that the fairest Lands and Estates of a Kingdom, which had been founded and maintained by the Sword, were now, to the indignation and [☞] view of all worthy Persons, unhappily made a prey, and shared by those Brothers of the Quill.

If History might make Apologies, she might vindicate him from the greater part of these reproaches; though not altogether from the fondness, not to say frenzy, he had to Gaming, which certainly is very unbecoming in a great Prince, and which begot a great many Academies and Gaming-Houses in Paris, most per∣nicious Schools for Youth, and the fatal Rocks whereon many rich and noble Families do split and sink themselves; and much less yet could she excuse his abandoning himself to Women, which was so Publick and so Universal from his early youth even to the last Period of his days, that it will not so much as admit of the name of Love, or be allowed but Galantery.

But these defects have been in some manner effaced and dispell'd by the lustre of his great and glorious Actions, his continual Victories, and his high Enterpri∣ses; by the infinite goodness he manifested towards his People, and above all by his Valour tryed in so many Combats, and his never-failing Clemency salutary to so many People. These two most royal Vertues which marched in the Van of all his Undertakings, were ever contending with each other which should o're∣come his Enemies in the noblest manner; so as they have left it still a doubt to whether of the two he was most obliged for his good Success, and whether it must be said he recover'd and conquer'd his Kingdom by force of Fighting, or by vertue of Pardoning.

Church of the Sixteenth Century.

* 1.99 THe Heads, or Governors, of the Church having not had that care, incum∣bent upon them, to maintain its discipline, the irregularities and vices of the Clergy mounted to the highest degree imaginable, and became so publick, as rendred them the Objects both of the hatred and contempt of the people: One cannot without blushing make mention of the Usury, Avarice, Crapu∣lence, and Dissolution of the Priests; of the licentious and villanious Debauche∣ries of the Monks: the Luxury, Pride and vain Expences of the Prelates; the shameful sloath, gross ignorance, and superstitions both of the one and the other. Neither durst we say, how the corruption of Simony had invaded and tainted the noblest parts of the Church, nay, even the head its self, had we not for un∣deniable proof the constitution made by Julius II. in the year 1505. which or∣dained, that such Pope as should have attained the Papal dignity by those means, should be destituted; That they should proceed against him, as against an Here∣tick, imploring even the Secular power; That the Cardinals accomplices of this impiety, should be degraded, and deprived of all Offices, Honours, and Benefices; That the remaining ones who had no hand in it, should proceed to a new Election, and if it were needful, should assemble a General Coun∣cil.

These disorders, to speak truth were not new, we must confess there had been the like of a long time, but the general ignorance which reigned in those former barbarous ages, did as it were hide and cover them in her shades of dark∣ness: now in these latter days the light of good Learning being brought into Europe, its beams illuminating the obscurest places, made these stains appear in all their deformity; And as the ignorant, whose weak eyes being dazled with this brightness, found fault with it, and endeavour'd to cast Dirt on that which exposed their defects, the Learned in revenge treated them in ridicule, and took the greater pleasure in discovering their turpitude and decrying their supersti∣tion.

It must be likewise granted that the enterprizes of the Court of Rome had highly exasperated the Princes and the Nobility of Germany, and that the wick∣ed life of Alexander VI. and the contest between the Pope Julius II. and France had extremely scandalized the most moderate men. Lewis XII. the best of [Year of our Lord 1510] Kings, caused a Medal to be stamped whose Inscription bear these words, Per∣dam Babylonis nomen, and procured the Assembly of the Council of Pisa to re∣strain the Attempts of Julius. It is true, that Council caused more scandal then good, but there were started some questions very disadvantageous to the Sove∣raign Authority of the Pope, and which could not but leave very ill impressi∣ons in Mens minds.

After the death of Julius, Leo X. made the Concordat with Francis I. by which that Pope obtained an Abolition of the Pragmatick, and secured to him∣self the Annates payable at every mutation of Bishops and Abbots; (they call [Year of our Lord 1515] these Benefices Consistorials.) Which in truth encreased the Popes Revenues; but according to the opinion of many, did much blemish their Sanctity. In ef∣fect, never was there so odd an exchange as this appeared to be; the Pope whose power is spiritual took the temporal for himself, and gave the spiritual to a tem∣poral Potentate: And indeed, one of the greatest and wisest Prelates* 1.100 of our times seems to say, the Annates, in respect of the Popes, could not pass but for perfect Simony, were it not that our Kings, in this case, do transmit their tem∣poral right to them. We must refer it to the more learned to judge whether the Elections were Jure Divino, and whether they could be taken away; as likewise, whether that observation, which many have made, be true; that from the very time they were Abolished, Heresies have crowded in throngs into the Church, and that Holy City being thereby denuded of her strongest Walls and Ramparts, found her self to be insulted over by Errors, and her temporal Estate invaded by decimations: for Leo did grant them so easily to the King, that ever since, the Pope his Successors have made no difficulty to do the same, and have suffer'd them to become very common and frequent.

* 1.101 Such was the State and disposition of things, when Luthers Schisme began first to appear. The great noise it made soon stifled all the lesser disputes, par∣ticularly that between the Orders of Saint Francis and Saint Dominique, about the Conception of the Virgin-Mary▪ which hath been since revived by the Do∣minicans stiff adherence to the Doctrine of Saint Thomas.

It likewise put an end to those which some Monks of Colen had raised against John* 1.102 Reuchlin, who called himself Capnion. Occasioned thus. A certain Pseffercorn, Renegado Jew, had advised the Emperour Maximilian to cause all the Hebrew Books of the Rabins to be burnt, not with design this counsel should be put in execution, but to oblige the Jews to redeem the Writings of their learned Doctors with great Sums of Money of which he pretended to have his share. Reuchlin, very Skilful in the Hebrew Tongue, having been consulted with by the Emperour upon this Subject, was of a contrary Sentiment, and put down his Reasons in Writing: Pseffercorn mad he should hinder him of his Prey, wounded his Reputation with biting Satyrs; and some Monks of Colen taking up the cause and quarrel of this Fourbe, because he had been Baptized in that City, caused his Adversarie's Book to be burnt▪

It is sufficiently known what Martin Luther was, an Augustine Monk, Native of Islebe in the County of Mansfeild, Professor in Theology in the new Univer∣sity of Wittemberg, Founded by Frederic Elector and Duke of Saxony, who loved and valued him for the volubility of his Wit, and his Eloquence: He was a chearful Man, and of very gay humour, but too vehement and too intemperate in Speech, extremely Confident, who never retracted, and delighted too much in the Musick of his own Commendations and Applause. The occasion that brought him into the Lists is known likewise, and that he was not excited to it but by the interest of the Wallet, because the Preaching of the Croisade had been committed in Germany, to the Jacobins, against the ancient Custom which ever allotted it to the Augustins in those Countries. In the beginning he Preached only against the abuse of those Indulgences, by that means to ruin the Trade of the Jacobins who vended them; but being pusht onward from Dispute to Dispute, he was transported so far that he declared himself wholly against the Roman Church, Anno 1520.

'Twas the Protection of Frederic Duke of Saxony, then esteemed the wisest of the German Princes, and the Applause of the Nobless of Franconia, that em∣boldned him to set up the Standard of Rebellion. So long as Frederic lived he durst make no change in the outward form of Religion, nor quit his habit of a [Year of our Lord 1524] Monk: but after his Death which hapned in the year 1524. Duke John his Suc∣cessor being absolutely intoxicated with his Eloquence, permitted him every thing. He therefore cast off his Froe, and Three years afterwards Married an un-vailed Nun. Then cutting, at large as we may say, in the whole piece, he shaped a Religion after his own Mode, which he changed, added to, or retren∣ched so long as he lived: So that one may say, he had no steady or certain be∣lief, and those Articles he framed were rather dubious than Dogmatical, al∣though he published them as Oracles. He died at Islebe, Anno 1546. the Six and twentieth of February, revered of all those who followed his Doctrine as a great Apostle; and on the contrary detested by the Catholicks as an Hereslarque and the publick Incendiary of Christendom.

Some time before he thus Un-masqued himself, there had appeared several Preachers who fell foul upon the Vices of the Prelates and the Court of Rome, threatning them with Divine Punishment, as horrible as sudden and near at hand: A Constitution of Leo X. made in the year 1516. which forbids them Preaching the like things, of the farcing their Sermons with Tales, Prophecies, Revelations and Miracles, is an evident proof thereof.

Luther's Credit drew after him one Party of the Augustins, startled many more, and rendred all of them so suspected, that the Pope was like to have abolish'd the whole Order. This pretended Evangelical Liberty open'd the Cloister Gates to many other Monks, especially in Germany, un-vailed great numbers of Nuns, let loose the People against the Church-men, and push'd on the Nobility to seize upon their rich Possessions.

But Luther did not remain long sole Head of this Revolt; for whether it were he gave rise to these Motions, or whether some malign influence disposed mens Minds thus to Brouilleries and Contention, there arose in a short time a Prodigious quantity of new Doctors and of novel Sects, who destroyed the one

the other, yet notwithstanding agreed all in these Six points; The first, That* 1.103 they directly shock'd the Superiority of the Pope: The second, That they would admit no other Judges of the Articles of Faith but the Holy Scriptures on∣ly: The third, That they rejected certain Books of it, some more, others fewer, which they said were not Canonical. The Fourth, That they retrenched seve∣ral Sacraments: The Fifth, That they held several Novelties concerning Grace, and free Will: And the Sixth, That they denied Purgatory, Indulgences, Images, Prayers to Saints, and many Ceremonies of the Church.

After his Death, the Confusion was incomparably greater: It would be end∣less to enumerate all the Authors, the Names, and the Whimseys of these dif∣ferent Sects; there were some that received the Errors of Ebion, of Manes, of [Year of our Lord 1547. &c.] Paulus Samosatenus, of Sabellius, of Arius, of Eutyches, and other ancient He∣reticks. There were such who finding no firm footing or foundation any where, did only acknowledge there was one God the Creator of all things; (these were called Deists.) Others going farther, and making a last effort of Impiety denied there was any other Divinity besides Nature alone.

The furious Irruptions of the Turks into Hungary, and the fatal Discords amongst the three greatest Princes of Christendom, Charles V. Francis I. and Henry VIII. were very favorable to these Sowers of new Seeds: For whil'st Christendom was affrighted at the Ravages of the Infidels, and every where in Divisions, they had not the leisure to consider of these disputes: And then Charles V. standing in need of the Princes of Germany to resist Francis I. and to get the Empire to be settled upon his Son, (which he could never obtain)* 1.104 would not prosecute them to the utmost, or totally destroy them, as he might have done after the gaining of the Battel of Mulberg. On the other hand, Fran∣cis I. his Rival openly supported them, and entred into League with them, though at the same time he burnt the Sacramentaries in his own Kingdom. Add thereto the difficulties the Popes made for the holding of an Oecu∣menical Council, whose Authority perhaps might have stifled this Monster in it's Birth.

* 1.105 On the opposite there were other Causes and other Conjunctures which obstru∣cted the speedier encrease of it: First, The great Credit of the Faculty of The∣ology at Paris, the Learning of some Zealous Doctors, though but few in num∣ber, who made Head both against Luther, and the other Sectaries; then the diversity and variety of Opinions, and Pride of other Novators, who all con∣tending to be Heads of Parties, became fiercer Enemies amongst themselves, than against the Church of Rome. Luther imagined the University of Paris be∣ing offended, as she was, for the Abolition of the Pragmatique, would embrace the opportunity to be revenged of the Pope, and upon that Surmise he submit∣ted to their decision the Dispute he had against John Eckius, the first Catholick Doctor that durst bid him Battel: but they condemned him in harsh and rude terms, and thus by their Authority retained the Clergy, and People, who were running in Crowds after him.

As to the other Point, in a short time the Sect of Zuinglius, and that of Calvin were found to be as prevalent and powerful as his; both the one and the other, notwithstanding, shewing ever a great deal of respect for all he said, and ac∣knowledging he was the first that had unveiled the Evangelical Truths, tried often, with profound Submissions, to reconcile themselves with him: but he would never yield to it in the least, unless they would first confess the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist: to which they would not yield;* 1.106 and to this very day his true Disciples are less compatible with theirs, than with the Catholicks the Princes, and the Cities of their Opinion have la∣bour'd in vain to unite them, and the many Conferences which were held for that purpose, have served to no other end but to make it manifest it is an impossible thing.

Besides these, I find a fourth cause, which was the too sudden and too great Change that Zuinglius and Calvin would have made as well in the Exteriour face of the Church, as in the Essential points of Faith. Luther had retrenched but very little or nothing of what the People were accustomed to: he left their Ornaments, Bells, Organs, Tapers, and had not altered the manner of Saying Mass, and Divine Service, only he added some Prayers in the Vulgar Tongue. So that the most part looked at first upon him as a Reformer only of the Abuses

* 1.107 of the Church-men; but when his work was so advanced as in a probability to have made a general Revolution, comes Zuinglius cross his way, who began to Preach in Swisserland, Anno 1520. and then Calvin, Fourteen years after dog∣matized in France: who instead of following the same footsteps, set themselves upon Preaching against the reality of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Holy Sa∣crament, taking away the Ceremonies and Ornaments, casting out the Reliques, breaking down the Altars and Images, and over-turning the whole Hierarchical Order; in fine, stripping Religion of all that does most take and fix the imagi∣nation by the Eye; in so much as almost all the People had them in aversion as Impious and Sacrilegious Persons, and became but the more zealous for that wor∣ship they had seen practised by their Fore-fathers.

There is some reason to doubt whether we ought to place the Riches, and vast Incomes of the Church either amongst the Causes that advanced these Errors, or that impeded their Progress: for as it is most certain it was a Bait that al∣lured the avarice of Princes, and the Nobility, and drew them to favour the pretended Reformation, that they might have an opportunity to seize upon that infinite Treasure; so on the other side it is as certain that many Prelates, and people richly Beneficed had leap'd o're the Church pale, had they not been re∣tained by the apprehensions of losing those Means, without which they could not [☞] well live in that delicacy and plenty as they were wont.

We shall not need to particularize after what manner the Princes of Germany, as Saxony, Brandenbourg, the Palatine of the Rh••••e, Brunswich, Wittemberg, and Hesse; the Swiss and the Grisons; the Kingdoms of Denmark and Sweden; Prussia, Transilvania, and other Countries abandoned the ancient Faith; who were their first Evangelists; for what reason the Religionaries of Germany took up the name of Protestants, which is communicated to all that are separated from the Roman Church, and all what passed in those Countries upon the score of Religion; it is foreign to our Subject, and may be seen at large in their se∣veral Histories. Come we therefore to what does more particularly concern France and the Gallican Church.

There were yet some remainders left of the ancient Vaudois, or Poor of Lyons in the Valeys of Daufine * 1.108, who had their Pastors, and held their Assem∣blies a part, in some Forts they had Built for their Security: so that they made, as it were a little Independent Republique, as well for Matters of Reli∣gion, as for Government. Pope Innocent IV. with the consent of King Charles VIII. delegated one Albert Catanea, Archdeacon of Cremona; who having by force of Arms destroyed their Redoubts, and slain, or taken Prisoners the most mutinous, did the more easily convert the rest by the Sword of the Word, or else drove them out of those Valeys: But they soon after herded together again, and re-establish'd themselves.

In the year 1501. the Gentry of the Country Prosecuting them for the Crime of Heresie, rather with design of getting their Estates than to Convert them, King Lewis XII. being then at Lyons, understanding they were innocent Peo∣ple, or irreproachable Manners and Conversation in all things else, obtained Bulls of Alexander VI. that they might be Visited, and committed the Care to Laurence Buceau, Bishop of Cisteron his Confessor, and to Thomas Pascal, Do∣ctor in Divinity and Regent of the University of Orleans, to take Cognizance of the same, and make Report in Council. The Bishop knowing how agreeable acts of Benignity and Clemency were to that good Prince, ordered all the In∣formations which had been made against these poor simple Creatures in the Par∣liament of Grenoble, and the Spiritual Courts of Gap and Embrun, should be brought to him; and having called them together divers times, exhorted them first with great Charity, and then propounded the Articles of Faith to them di∣stinctly. To which having with one voice answered, Credo, and Vowed to die in that Belief, he left them in Peace; and stealing suddenly away from Grenoble, carried all these Criminal Proceedings to Guy de Rochefort Chancellour. Some years after, the News of Luther's Predication being come to them, they fancied a new Sun was arisen, and sent to him to have the Communication of his pretended Gospel Light; notwithstanding soon after, their Belief and Opinions being less conformable to his, then to that of the Sacramentaries, they quitted him to joyn with them.

About the End of the Fifteenth Age, and in the beginning of the Sixteenth, there were some Seeds of their Heresies already sowed in France. For Anno 1492.

the Morrow after Corpus-Christi Day, a Priest who was hearing Mass at Nostre* 1.109 Dame, snatched away the Host from the Celebrator after the Consecration, and cast it on the ground to trample it under foot. And in Anno 1502. a Picard Scholar, Native of Abbeville, committed the like Fact on Saint Lewis's Day in the Holy Chappel. Both were seized immediately, and some days after burnt alive in the Market aux Cochons * 1.110, without any signs of Repentance; the first having his Tongue torn out; the second his Hand cut off upon the very place where they brake the holy Wafer.

King Lewis XII. having a great contest with Pope Julius II. demanded a ge∣neral Council to reform the Church both in its Head, and in its Members, and caused one to be assembled at Pisa by the Suggestion and with the assistance of certain Cardinals dissatisfied with that Pope. The said Council was soon dri∣ven from thence, and retired to Milan, from whence they were likewise forced to remove, and came to end their days at Lyons. That whole Affair was ve∣ry ill managed, the Pope opposed him with another Council which he assembled at Lateran; and this being grown the more powerful, did in the end constrain Lewis XII. to renounce his, and those Cardinals, and Bishops that had been the Promoters of it, to humble themselves before his Holiness to obtain Ab∣solution.

The Officers of the Parliament of Provence having been all excommunicated by the Pope in this Council, because they had hindred the execution of his Or∣ders, (if they had not approved of the others) and because they acted daily several things which in those times were taken to be designs: The King desi∣red they might submit, and that Lewis de Souliers, his Ambassadour to the Coun∣cil having their special Procuration, should in their Name formally disown all they had done against the Liberties of the Church, against the respect due to the Holy See, promise that for the future they would be more circumspect, that they should ratifie this Submission within four Months, and that he should desire their Absolution; which was granted them.

The same Council had likewise cited the Prelates of France to come and shew the reasons why they still justified and maintained the Pragmatique. It is pro∣bable they would to his Decrees have opposed or alledged the Liberties of the Gallican Church; but Francis I. very far from supporting them, did himself abandon that which his Predecessors had defended with so much resolution and firmness, and passed or agreed to the Concordat with Leo X. of which we have made mention in the year 1516. The smart of so great and desperate a wound, made the Clergy, the Parliament and the University, cry out in vain: those two great Powers being now joyned together, valued not their Complaints. The Clergy had protested to take all Opportunities for the making of Remon∣strances to the King for the Re-establishment of Elections; this they pursued very well four or five times under King Henry III. and Henry IV. but at length they grew weary, whether believing they were no longer obliged to labour to no end, or that several of the Bishops gave it over in Charity to themselves, as [☜] knowing they should never have attained the Preferments they enjoy'd if the right of Elections had been restored.

The Authors of the Novel Opinions spared no pains to convey and plant their Doctrines in the remotest Provinces: Printing was a great help to bring their Works to light, and make them spread, the Zealots were at the charge of Printing and Dispersing them, and the Country Pedlers, whom they paid ve∣ry* 1.111 well, had always some of these new-fashion Wares in their Packs, which they shewed for great Rarities to the curious and inquisitive. Their Disciples crept into the Universities, where under colour of teaching the Law, or Greek, or Hebrew, they instilled their Doctrine into the hearts of the younger fry. O∣thers more polite and more dexterous insinuated into the Society of Women, and studied to gain their favour, that they might gain their belief. Thus they gained an Absolute Power over Anne de Pisseleu Dutchess d'Estampes, Mistriss of Francis I. over Margaret Queen of Navarre; and over Renée of France, Daugh∣ter of good King Lewis XII.

There were others who endeavour'd to get into the Houses of such Bishops as they believed to be most susceptible of their fancies. James le Fevre, Native of Estaples, a little Town in Boulonois, who was not Doctor in Divinity at Pa∣ris, as many will have it, at least he is not to be found in the Registry of that Faculty: William Farel a Daufinois, Arnold and Gerard Roussel, Picards, fell in

* 1.112 about the year 1523. with William Briconnet Bishop of Meaux, and entan∣gled his Mind so with those dangerous Opinions, that he began to own and Preach them.

There was the same year in that City, a Wool-Comber by Name John le Clere, who had the Impudence to say, That the Pope was the Anti-Christ; he was Whipped for it by the hands of the Hang-man, and Banished the King∣dom. This Punishment corrected him not, he went to Mets to vend his Wares, and was there Burnt for having broken down some Images. Lewis Berquin, Artesian by Birth, a powerful Genius according to the Sen∣timent of Erasmus, suffer'd a like Death at Paris the One and twentieth of April, in Anno 1528.

Now the Bishop of Meaux being charged with the Crime of Heresie, retracted upon the first Admonition, having before-hand sent away his Doctors, amongst whom Arnold was so terribly scared that he continued a good Catholick ever after: Gerard made his escape to Luther: Farel went to Zuinglius at Zurich, and le Fevre to Nerac to Queen Margaret. The two others came also thither some time after, and there began to form a new Church, wherein they used no Mass, nor observed the Canonical hours for Prayer, but communicated by ta∣king Bread and Wine, and giving it to all that were present, in the same man∣ner, said they, as Jesus Christ and the Apostles had practised: Before, and after they made Sermons, wherein they explained the Word of God. They called it Preaching, and their way of taking the Eucharist, Manducation. The Queen went amongst them, and sometimes led her Husband thither, who was very submissive to her Will, and no less Zealous against the Authority of the Pope; because that had furnished the Spaniard with a fair pretence to Invade the Kingdom of Navarre.

In the mean time Anthony Duprat, Archbishop of Sens, Cardinal and Legate, [Year of our Lord 1528] employ'd the whole Authority both of the Church and King, to restrain this licentiousness; he assembled a Provincial Council in the City of Pa∣ris, Anno 1528. where appeared Six of his Suffragants, and a Delegate from the Seventh. They there propounded the Catholick Doctrines; and condemned Luther's; they Prohibited all Nocturnal Assemblies, and the Read∣ing of any Heretical Books, with Excommunication against them, their Abet∣tors and Adherers.

On their part, they sought by all manner of ways to make some impression upon the Mind of King Francis I. A Curate of the Parish of Saint Eustache, named le-Cog, Preached one day before him, and speaking of the Mystery of the Eu∣charist, told them that they must lift up the heart towards Heaven, where Jesus Christ sat at the right hand of God his Father, not bow down to the Al∣tar, and for this reason, said he, does the Church sing Sursum Corda: those Doctors that were present would not let the Proposition pass so, but obliged him to retract.

That King had a mighty tenderness for his Sister Margaret, and was no less fond of good Learning when he met with it amongst the Ingenuous, and the Beaux Esprits: the Novators employ'd both the one and the other to draw him over to them. At that very time, which was in the year 1533. Philip Melancthon a man of as rare a Genius as any of that Age, propounded to com∣pose all the Disputes and Differences in Religion, and did condescend to many Points, in favour of the Catholicks: in so much that if things of that Nature could have admitted of a Division, he would have shared the Differences to have reconciled the Parties. The King who had some interest to make himself considerable amongst the German Princes, and to whom it would have gained Immortal Honour to have become the Arbitrator of Christendom, wrote to him by William du Bellay Langey, whom he sent into that Country, That he Passio∣nately desired to see him, that he should be most extremely Welcom, if he would come and confer with his Divines, for the Reconciliation and Re-union of the Church, and the Re-establishment of the ancient Polity; which he desired to embrace with all Affection. But the Cardinal de Tournon, and the Divines of Paris, appre∣hending the Consequences of this enterview to be like the opening of a Gap in the Sheep-cote to one whom they looked upon as a Ravenous Woolf, made such frequent and such pressing Remonstrances to the King, that he gave Melancthon notice, he did excuse him from taking so great a trouble upon him.

* 1.113 They likewise, hindred him from reading the Book of Calvin's Institutions, which the Author had dedicated to him in Anno 1535. and withal, engaged him to send for his Sister Margeret, and her Doctors to come to Court; They were brought thither, together with her, by Charles de Coucy-Buric, the King's Lieutenant in Guyenne, imbued with the same Sentiments as that Princess. He privately gave her fraternal Correction and Admonition, and sent her Doctors to Prison; but so soon as they retracted he released them, upon condition they should never dare again to approach the said Princess. Notwithstanding he re∣stored her Roussel to her whom she had provided with the Bishoprick of Oleron, and the Abbey of Clairac, with which he passed the remainder of his days in an apparent exercise of the Catholick Religion, and a most exemplary Holiness of Life and Conversation, if his inside were equal to his outward deportment, and his heart as sincere as his tongue seemed Pious.

As for the Queen, she protested to her Brother never to depart more from the Catholick Religion, and shewed her self much an Enemy to those that op∣posed it; nevertheless towards the end of her days, which was in Anno 1549. she seemed to repent of her Repentance, and desired Calvin by Letters to come both to instruct and to comfort her, but he did not judge there would be any security for him in the Journey; and ever chusing rather to expose his Counsel than his Person in case of danger, he would not stir out of Geneva, which was his main Fortress.

We have formerly told you* 1.114 who this Calvin was his Birth, his Begin∣nings, and his Progress. It is worthy our Observation that in Anno 1534. he held his first Synod at Poitiers in a Garden, and from thence sent his Disciples forth to other Cities to plant his new Gospel. Those that have seen him, write that his Speech, his Gestures, and his Presence were but little taking in the Pulpit; but his Books manifest that no man in his time had so Eloquent a Pen as his. His manners were much more regular than Luther's; he appeared sober, frugal, continent, setled, edifying both by his Discourse and his Example; not∣withstanding he was by Nature surly, violent, jealous, injurious, and impla∣cable towards any that opposed him.

In the year 1535. the Citizens of Geneva having withdrawn themselves from the dominion of their Bishop, who was also their Temporal Lord, and then from that of the Roman Church, called in Calvin, and Farel to be their Pa∣stors. Scarce had they been nestled there two years and a half when some dif∣ference arose between them and the Magistrates of the City, who drove them out; this was in the year 1538. but absent as they were, they still maintain'd their Cabal; and their Party was so strong they were recalled again in Anno [Year of our Lord From the year 1535.] 1541. After than Calvin never left it more, having as it were established his Pon∣tifical seat in that place, from whence he governed his whole Party as well in Temporals as Spirituals. Farel could not long comply with him, and retired into Switzerland.

As Calvins temperament was very severe, and an Enemy to all divertise∣ments, that besides he must needs have observed, how the Lutherans instead of having retrenched their Luxury, Debaucheries, and Oppressions, had rather increased them, he thought it would be much better to use more strictness in reforming those irregularities, so to gain Proselytes by the specious appearance of Austerity. He therefore forbad all Oaths, which then were grown very horrible and very frequent, not permitting his to affirm otherwise then by the word verily; he prohibited Dancing, Cabarets, Gaming-houses, and Usury; he punished Fornication and Adultery with death; and recommended modesty of Habits, Frugality and Temperance, that so those of his Sect might appear to be really reformed, and the Catholicks by opposition much more irregular and much more dissolute.

The number of his followers encreased daily, they held their Assemblies by night in Cellars or in solitary places, and had Advertisers who went from house to house to give them notice of the place and time. Francis I. a very merci∣ful* 1.115 Prince was not over rigorous to them till in the year 1535. when they lost all respect to him, as well as to things Holy and Sacred. Some over Zealous amongst them, being angry because he would not hear Melancton, nor read the works of their Calvin, posted up certain very scandalous placards against him, and against his Religion, and scatterd'd divers very injurious Libels even upon his Table and on his very Bed: nay there were those that cut off the Arms

* 1.116 and heads of some Images. So that being exasperated to the highest degree by this audacious Saerilege, he quitted Blois where he then was, and came to Pa∣ris; where after he had given order to seize upon a good many of these Sacra∣mentaries, he made on the 2••th of January that Solemn Procession which is de∣scribed in all the Histories of those times: and to expiate those impieties, deli∣ver'd up to the Flames six of those Wretches. He afterwards caused divers o∣thers to be Condemned to the same sufferings, but who went to their death with an alacrity and constancy worthy of a much better cause.

They had more to undergo yet in the Reign of Henry II. the aversion which the Dutchess of Valentinois had conceived against them in hatred to the Dutchess d'Estampes, and the more Religious zeal of the Cardinal de Tournon, renewed the [Year of our Lord From the year 1947.] search and prosecutions of them: and besides this their ugly base attempts drew the anger of the Judges and the severity of the Laws upon their own heads. For they fell upon Images, and the Holy Sacrament, not only by virulent writings, but likewise with horrible Impieties. In Anno 1550. a fantastical Fellow under∣took in the open day-light to cut off the head of an Image of the Virgin in the Church of Nostre-Dame at Paris.

In fine, maugre all punishments, the mischief became so great, that it was not in the power of man to extirpate it by force: and besides the divers manners and methods of proceeding gave them opportunities to escape; for sometimes they were left to the Judgment of the Secular Magistrates: another while they were taken out of their hands to be carried before the Bishops, then they sent them to the Presidial Courts, created first, as it was said, by the suggestions of the Sa∣cramentaries themselves with design of becoming Masters thereof by perswading and engaging their Friends to buy those new Offices. Which however brought them little advantage in the end, because at length the cognisance of those Crimes was referred to the Parliaments.

After the loss of the Battle of Sainct Quentins they lifted up their heads in divers parts of the Kingdom. They had the confidence at Paris to meet by night [Year of our Lord 1558] in a House of the Street Sainct Jacques: The Magistrates having Information went thither well guarded; those that were armed amongst them fought their way thorow the crowd and saved themselves: some less desperate were seized, all the Women were taken, of whom four or five belonged to the Queen: For she her self, to be thought wise and pious, seemed to have some tendency to∣wards that Religion. The accused defended themselves so well upon their Trials, that their friends had time enough to get Letters of intercession from the Prote∣stant Princes of Germany, which saved their lives.

Anno 1554. They first began to have a Minister at Paris, his Name was John Macon. Four years after, on the Nine and Twentieth of July they held their first Synod in the same City; the number of those they have held since is almost infinite. In that of Chaalons, which was in the year 1563. they propounded to exterminate all Despotique Power, the Papacy, and Chicane or Pettyfogging, which they termed the three Pests of humane kind. It was but very lately they ordained that the singing of Psalms turned into French Meeter, should be part of their Liturgy: Marot had done but fifty only; after his death Beza set himself about that work and finished the remainder. This Version (if we may so call it) was published, with excellent Tunes set and Composed by the most Famous Mu∣sicians of those Times. The more pious of the People received them with ap∣plause, and took delight in singing those Psalmes and Airs, imagining by this means to suppress all filthy and impure Songs; but when it came once to be un∣derstood that they were the Symbole of the Sacramentaries, they not only ab∣stained from them, but also fell foul upon such as offer'd to sing them; which occasioned great Tumults at Paris, particularly in the year 1558.

The Ministers of State were accused (whether wrongfully or not) for not* 1.117 having applied the true remedies against this Contagion, whilst it infected none but the poorer sort, by whose loss they could reap little gain; being rather willing it should spread and take hold of the qualified and rich, that they might have fines and great confiscations; the only means whereby those in favour en∣riched themselves under the Reign of Henry II. In effect great numbers of Peo∣ple that were wealthy, of Ecclesiasticks, and of the most considerable Officers were found to be tainted, many even of the best Heads belonging to the Parlia∣ment were coifed, and possessed with it: who might perhaps have drawn most of the Members of that body after them, had not the King gone in Person to

that famous Mercurial of the year 1559. and sent divers of them away Prisoners.* 1.118 Some of these would needs justifie themselves, the rest retracted: the only Anne de Bourg was immolated for his Religion. His example spoiled more then an hun∣dred Ministers could have done by all their zealous Preaching. Then the weakness of the Reign of Francis II, the Minority of Charles IX. the Causes of discord which animated the Princes of the Blood assisted by the three Chastillons, against the Princes of the House of Guise, the Maligne and Artificial Ambition of the Regent Catherine de Medicis who flatter'd sometimes the Huguenots, sometimes the Catholicks, according as she had need either of the one or the other; In fine, the Conni∣vence of some great Magistrates, and of several Bishops gave opportunities to this Sect both to strengthen, and multiply and confirm themselves.

We have elsewhere spoken of the Tumult at Amboise, the Enmities, and Ca∣bals of the Grandees for the Government, the rise of the name of Huguenot given to the Calvinists, who till that were called Sacramentaries▪ and of the Prince of Conde's taking up Arms, with the other Chiefs. We shall not need [Year of our Lord From 1560.] to observe that those Furies wasted the Kingdom for thirty years together, occasi∣oned the giving of seven or eight battels, and an infinite number of Combats, were the death either by War or by more cruel Massacres of a Million of brave Men, destroy'd two or three hundred Towns, and reduced the richest and the most noble Families of France to the poor and humble subsistence of an Hospi∣tal.

It was the Kingdoms misfortune, that this Reformation which the Huguenots Preached up so much, was passionately desired by the best of people, and their Cause hapning to be in some manner complicated with the interest of the State, those who had an ambition to show themselves good French-men favour'd and supported them indirectly, and Clubb'd Councils with them. For this reason the Estates of Orleans did not endeavour to destroy them, and some even of the Prelates themselves advised to allow them the Colloquy of Poissy, and after that to grant them another Conference concerning Images, Reliques, and the Ceremo∣nies; which did greatly heighten their courage.

It would perhaps have been more to the purpose to have at that time called a National Council; and if they had intended to pluck up that Weed by the roots at its first springing, they ought to have held a general one. Those are the proper and sovereign Remedies God has left his Church wherewith to extinguish the like flames, but often-times humane Policies does not suit with it. And in those very days the mistaken interests of Princes, and of the Pope himself, op∣posed the common good of the whole Christian Church. The Council of* 1.119 France put the Court of Rome into a Fit of Trembling at every mention they made of calling a National Council, so greatly did they apprehend the Capacity of the French Divines, and the Liberties of the Gallican Church: Nor was this one of the least considerations and motives which obliged Pope Paul IV. to re∣continue the Council of Trent.

The Memoires of this Great Council have been collected by several persons, and its History written and published by divers Authors, but somewhat various∣ly, and in many things rather according to their inclinations and their particular engagements, then the naked truth. Pope Clement VII. had been obliged in 1533. to assure the Emperor Charles V. he would convocate one that same year; but when he understood how the Protestant Princes (very far for submitting to the conditions he desired) maintain'd and urged that he ought not to be present at it, since he was a party; that the controversies were to be judged by the word of God only, and that the Laity must have their suffrages as well as the Cler∣gy: he made no great haste to forward it, and only promised the said Convoca∣tion not setting either the time or place.

Pope Paul III. his Successor, indicted it effectually for the two and twentieth of May in the year 1536. at Mantoua: from thence, because the Duke feared for his City, he would have it held at Vincenza in the Territories of the Seigne∣ory of Venice, and there to begin in the Month of May of the Year 1538. but the Germans complaining that the said place was too remote from them, the Venetians being under some apprehensions of exasperating the Turk, who dread∣ed this grand Assembly, and withal but few Bishops appearing there, he suspend∣ed it for as long time as he pleased. Anno 1541, by consent of the Catholicks of Germany who had held a Dyet at Spire, he appointed it, by a Bull dated the two and twentieth of May, to be held the first of November of the same year in the

* 1.120 City of Trent: and nevertheless all Europe being soon after put into a Confusion with the War between Charles V. and Francis I. he was forced to recall the Le∣gates he had sent thither, and to suspend it yet a second time, till a more conveni∣ent Season, which he would declare when he judged fit.

The Peace was made between the two Kings Anno 1544. In this Treaty some Propositions were hinted about reforming the abuses of the Church of Rome; The Pope having notice of it, judged it necessary to prevent them, and a second time Summoned the Council of Trent for the fifteenth of March of the year 1545. with this precaution however, that he gave his Legates order, in case any thing were moved against his interest, either to dissolve it or to transfer it. The Assembly was found to be so thin, that he Adjourned the opening of it till the thirteenth of December; when the number being little encreased, the French Bishops who were but three had thoughts of retiring; however they did remain, and the Council was open'd.

[Year of our Lord 1546, and 1547.] After some Sessions, and divers Prorogations during the years 1546, and 47. it hapned that the Emperor gained great advantage over the Protestant Princes of the League of Smalcalde▪ The Legates who knew the intentions of their Master, perceived then, that it was not for his interest to hold the Council any longer in that place. Taking therefore an occasion upon some flying report of the Plagues being gotten into that Vicinage they transferr'd it to Bologna the eight and twen∣tieth of February in the year 1547. not staying to be informed whether the Em∣peror and the King would approve of it: the Spanish Bishops refused to follow them, and remained at Trent.

The same year in the Month of April, the Emperor gained a great and entire [Year of our Lord 1547, 1548.] Victory over the same Protestants; which contrary to all expectation, instead of rejoycing his Holyness, (who could not have believed this?) put him into [☞] most terrible apprehensions. He sancied already he saw the Emperor pursuing his advantage, entring into Italy, wresting from him Parma and Piacenza, ma∣king himself Master of the City of Rome, restoring the Imperial dignity there; and that which he feared more yet then all this, reforming the abuses of his Court, according as the Bishops even of his own Territories when they were at the Council, had highly declared for in many set Speeches. Amidst these Alarms the Holy Father not knowing which way to turn himself, did earnestly solicite the King of France to oppose this formidable progress, to rally and support the scatter'd remnants of the Protestants, and even to call in the assistance of the Turk. Thereupon, the tenth day of September hapned the death of the Duke of Piacenza his Son; his grief for so Tragical an Accident, joyned with the terror of the Emperors Victory, together with those protestations his Ambassa∣dors made against its Translation, were the chief causes he made the said Coun∣cil to cease Anno 1548.

It was interrupted till in the year 1551. the vehement instances of the Empe∣ror and the Catholicks of Germany obliged Pope Julius III. to re-intimate the same at Trent the first day of May of that year, and to begin again where they had left off. Some Protestant Princes, and some certain Cities to comply with the Emperor, sent thither their Deputies. But soon after the War of Parma broke out, and the King being offended that the Pope should League himself against him with the Emperor, wrote to the Council by James Amiot, Abbey of Bellosane, a very disobliging Letter for the Pope, and filled with these like protestations, That there being no free access at Trent for his Bishops he could not send them thither▪ That he did not hold it for a General Council called to reform Abuses and to restore the Discipline, but looked upon them as an Assembly practised by subtil intrigues and for temporal inter∣ests: That therefore he did not believe himself obliged or bound to their Decrees, neither himself nor the Churches of his Kingdom, but declared, That when ever is were needful he should have recourse to the same means and remedies whereof his Predecessors had made use in the like cases.

The Pope being soon weary of the War, dispatched Legates to the Emperor and to the King to Treat of a Peace. The faculties of him that came into France being presented to the Parliament, received the same restrictions as had been put to those of the preceeding ones.

Now the King being well again with the Pope, the Council continued during the whole year 1551. and the following also. Whilst they were thus going on, the terror of the Arms of Maurice Duke of Saxony, who was advanced as far as Inspruc, where he thought to surprize the Emperor; and the rumour of the

Kings who entred into Germany, did so much scare the Prelates, that most of* 1.121 them ran quite away. The Legates therefore suspended the Council for two years only; but by the divers accidents and mutations of Affairs, it was inter∣rupted till the year 1561. when Pope Pius IV ▪re-assembled them. His Bull of Indi∣ction met with great difficulties both from the Emperor and from the King▪ their Councils desired it might be a Convocation of a Council wholly new, not a con∣tinuation of the old, and that they might re-examine those Decrees, had been already made; for they had hopes thereby to allure and bring in the Protestants. [Year of our Lord 1561] Withal the true French-men, found fault that the Address was made only to the Emperor, and that the name of King Charles was not express'd, as those of Francis I. and of Henry II. had been in the foregoing ones. In effect they had not comprised him but under the general terms of Kings and Christian Princes. They did the same injustice in their acclamations upon the closing up of the [Year of our Lord 1562] Council.

The Ambassadors of France who were Lewis de Saint Gelais Lansac, Arnold de Ferrier President des Enquestes in the Parliament of Paris, and Guy Faure Pibrac Chief Justice of Tolosa, Arrived there the eighteenth of May. Queen Catherine and her Council, had given them a Charge to press vigorously for the Reformati∣on of Abuses, and to behave themselves in such sort as the Protestants might have reason to believe they intended them all manner of reasonable satisfaction upon their complaints. Pibrac harangued them to that purpose, and Lansac did second him; to this effect he demanded they should declare it to be a new Coun∣cil, and that they would stay for those Bishops who were coming thither from France, as likewise the Ambassadors, and Divines from the Queen of England, and from the Protestant Princes. Notwithstanding these instances, the Legates declared it was a continuation, and would have them proceed immediately with∣out waiting for the Prelates of France.

Lansac and his Collegues joyned themselves also with the Emperors Ambassa∣dors in the demand they made for the use of the Cup, for the Laity of Bohemia, to whom the Church had otherwhile most benignly allowed it. On the other hand, the French Bishops seconded the Spaniards with all their might and main, to have them declare that Residence was of Divine Right; but neither the Am∣bassadors, nor they had any satisfaction upon either point, and were divers times in deliberation to be gone. Pibrac being recalled to the Court of France by Queen Catherine, Ferrier was the manager, who harangued upon all occasions with extreme vehemence.

During these transactions, the Cardinal de Lorrain Arrived at Trent, accom∣panied with a great number of Bishops, and took such authority upon him, that the Pope having conceived some jealousie, called him amongst his familiars, the Petty Pope on the other side the Mountains. He knew that he was come to Act in concert with the Imperialists to engage them to give some satisfaction to the Lu∣therans (whom he desired to unlink from the Huguentos, having to that effect both he and his Brother, conferred with the Duke of Wirtemberg, and other Princes of that belief at Saverne:) and therefore he had taken care and provided (to be fortify'd against him) a great number of Italian Bishops whom from all parts he sent to the Council of Trent before the Cardinal should Arrive there.

Some Months after his coming, they received two Messages of great News at the Council, the one of the death of the King of Navarre, the other some [Year of our Lord 1562, and 1563.] Months after that of the gaining of the Battle of Dreux; Both of them gave the Cardinal great reason to believe his Brother might soon make himself Master of all France, and that consideration encreased his credit and power very much in the Council; and by consequence that of the Ambassadors with whom he was very well united in the beginning.

They propounded therefore, according to the instructions they had, four and thirty Articles of Reformation, whereof the most Remarkable were; That none should be ordained Priests, unless they were ancient, as the very word imported▪ That they should restore the Functions separately to all the sacred Orders, without allowing one Order to do what belonged to another; That they should not confer them all at once, but observe the interstitium; That none should be admitted to the dignity of an Abbot, or of a Prior conventual, who had not read, or taught Theology in some Famous Colledge; That an Ecclesiastick should be capable to hold but one single Benefice; That they should say the Prayers in French after the holy Sacrifice of the Mass▪ That they should gives the

* 1.122 Communion to the People under the two species, or both kinds; That they should render to the Bishops their entire Jurisdiction, without allowing exemption to any Monasteries, unless to the Heads of Orders; That the Pastors should be capable, and obliged to Preach and to Catechise; That Simony, and the sale of Benefices should be punished; and that those abuses might be removed and taken away which had been introduced a∣mongst the vulgar in the worship of Images. The Cardinal de Lorrain would no doubt, have assisted them to his utmost if the death of the Duke of Guise had not interven'd: but as the good Fortune and Prosperity of that Brother had much elevated him, so his loss depressed him most infinitely; he now thought of no∣thing but an accommodation with the Pope, and letting fall his grand designes obliged likewise all the Bishops of his Party to do the same: So that the Legates, and other Persons dependants of the Court of Rome, remaining Masters in the Council procured many things to be passed there according to their own desires and intentions.

About this time began the contest for Precedency between the Ambassadors [Year of our Lord 1563] of France, and of Spain, wherein it may be truely said the Pope did not preserve the right of France in its entire. If we believe some, he was willing to foment this dispute that he might have some colour to break up the Council; which he had thoughts to do several times before, because he could not govern them as he desired. It had like to have fallen out now; the Ambassadors of France, pickqued [☞] at the Injustice done to their King, were on the point to leave them, and protest, not against the Legates who depended on the will of the Pope, nor against the Council which was not free, nor against the King of Spain and his Ambassador, who maintain∣ed their Pretension; but against a particular man that acted as Pope, and had intruded into Saint Peters Chair by unlawful Cabals, and an unworthy Traffick, of which they had undeniable Proofs, before them. Nevertheless such as were sincere and well meaning men amongst them, moderating this difference, found out an expedient to compose matters, but which in truth did in some sort prejudice one advantage France had ever been in possession of: But she knew how to recover her former right afterwards, and to maintain it.

The Cardinal de Lorraine had now no other thought but to hasten the con∣clusion [Year of our Lord 1563] of the Council, that he might return into France to settle the Affairs of his House. He went to wait on his Holiness at Rome, with whom he had long and private Conferences; and after he came back to Trent, he acted altogether in concert with the Legates. In so much as the said grand Assembly, which du∣ring the space of twenty seven years, and under the Pontificat of Five Popes, had been interrupted and resumed divers times, finally ended on the second day of December in the year 1563. To the unexpressible satisfaction of his Holiness, who thereby was deliver'd of many great fatigues, and far greater apprehensions of the diminution of his absolute power.

The Decisions have been received in France as to the points of Faith, but not those for Discipline, there being many that infringe the Rights of the Crown, the Liberties of the Gallican Church, the authority of the secular Magistrate, the Priviledges of the Chapters and Communities, and divers usages received in the Kingdom: and if several of their Reiglements are practised, it is not by vertue of the Decrees of that Council, but of the Kings Ordonannces.

[Year of our Lord 1561, &c.] Whilst that was held, Calvinisme which the Edicts of King Francis I. and Hen∣ry II. had suppressed, began to appear again publickly under the favour of those conjunctures we have before specified. The Edict of July deliver'd them from the dangers of death; the Colloquy of Poissy gave them confidence to Preach openly; the Edict of January, the Liberty of Exercise; and the accident of Vas∣sy, the occasion to take up Arms.

From thence followed infinite Murthers, Robberies, Destruction of Churches, Burnings, Prophanations, and Sacrilegious Out-rages. Those people inraged for that they had burned so many of their Brethren, revenged it cruelly upon the [☞] Clergy; as many as they caught, they cut off their Ears, and their Virilia: some were seen to wear them upon strings hung round like Bandeliers. They spared [Year of our Lord 1563] not the Sepulchres of Saints, nor even the Tombs of their own Ancestors; they burned all the Reliques, (of which notwithstanding, as by a Miracle, we now find as many as ever;) and broke in pieces all the Shrines and Sacred Vases to get the Gold and Silver that enriched them. From all which impieties this good at least accrued to the publick, that they Coyned good store of Money: but one thing was a loss without any the least profit, and never to be repaired,

to wit, the destruction of the ancient Libraries belonging to Abbeys, where* 1.123 there were inestimable Treasures for History, and for the works of Anti∣quity.

The Clergy in these Wars sustained likewise great damage in their Temporal Estates; for besides that the Huguenots invaded them in many places, the Kings also constrained them four or five several times to alienate much Lands for great Sums of Money to be employ'd towards the expences of their War, and gave them so short a time that they were forced to sell at a very mean rate. Shall we [✚] say these distractions were their ruine, or their reformation? since it is certain, that as those riches serve them for a decent and necessary subsistence, when they are moderate, so are they the chief cause of their corruption when excessive; and that when ever the Church had the least, then was she always the most holy, and pure.

When Francis Duke of Guise was Assassinated near Orleans, the Queen-Mo∣ther and the Huguenots being on either hand delivered from that approaching ruine, wherewith he threatned them, were easily inclined to a Peace; The Queen and the Prince her Prisoner treated it personally; the Edict was dispatched to Amboise the nineteenth of March, 1563. This was the first of the seven granted them by King Charles IX, and Henry III. for so often did they take up Arms, sometimes being thereto necessitated, otherwhile out of choice and design. The Massacre of Saint Bartholomew, which in all probability should have utterly quelled them, did but rather encourage them to undergo all future extremities, since it left them no other prospect to save themselves but by ha∣zarding their All.

Now this first Peace in 1563. displeased his Holiness so much, that he resolv∣ed to discharge his wrath upon those whom he believed to be the most dangerous Enemies of the Catholick Religion in France, particularly upon Jane d'Albret Queen of Navarre, who had banish'd it out of her Kingdom, and pull'd down all the Churches; and upon some Prelates who manifestly countenanced Huguenotisme. [Year of our Lord 1563]

He had a mind to Summon the Queen before the Council, and to have made her process at that grand Tribunal: but foreseeing the Emperors Ambassadors would soon oppose it, as they had done in the like Case concerning the Queen of England, he resolved to cite her to Rome, and caused the Citation to be posted up at the Gates of Saint Peters Church, and at the Inquisition, declaring, if She did not make her appearance, that her Lands and Lordships should be proscribed, and that She should personally incurr all the penalties provided against Here∣ticks.

As for the Prelates, he gave orders likewise to the Cardinals of the Inquisition, to cite them to Rome upon a day certain, and if they appeared not person∣ally, to carry on their process to a definitive Sentence, which he would pro∣nounce in his secret Consistory. The Inquisitors, by vertue of this Command, cited Odet de Coligny Chastillon, Cardinal Bishop of Beauvais, but who had quitted his Purple to follow the fortune and opinions of his Brothers, and bare the Title of Count de Beauvais. N. de Saint Romain, Arch-Bishop of Aix, John de Mont∣luc, Bishop of Valence, John Anthony Carracciol of Troyes, John de Barbanson of Pamiez, Charles Guillard of Chartres, Lewis d'Albret of Lascar, Claude Reyne of Oleron, John de Saint Gelais of Ʋzez, and Francis de Nouilles of Acqs. In the same number they might very justly have placed Peter du Val, Bishop of Sees, who was of the same sentiments with Montluc.

After these Proceedings in the Court of Rome, the Pope pronounced the Sentence against the Cardinal de Chastillon, whereby, he declared him an Heretick, Seducer, Schismatick, Apostate, and one perjur'd, degraded him of his Cardinalship deprived him of Offices & all Dignities, especially the Bishoprick of Beauvais which he held of the Holy See, & exposed him to all the faithful that could apprehend him, & deliver him up to justice. The Cardinal to shew that he depended no way on the jurisdiction of the Pope, resumed the Purple, and assisted, cloathed in that manner, at the Act of the Ma∣jority of the King in the Parliament of Rouen: whereat the Pope was so incen∣sed, that he publickly pronounced the Sentence, and caused it to be affixed in the Markets of Rome, and afterwards dispersed all over Europe.

But as for the Queen of Navarre, the Kings Council considering the conse∣quences of suffering a Princess to be dispoyled who was related to the King, and that her Husband died fighting in defence of the Catholick Religion, that her Case would be a prejudgment against all Crowned Heads, and that this Chastise∣ment

* 1.124 would turn less to the advantage of Religion then to the profit of the King of Spain, who from thence would take an opportunity to invade her Countrey, made such effectual Remonstrances to the Pope by the mout h of Henry Clutin-Doysel his Ambassador, that the Citation given against this Queen was revoked. As for the Bishops, the Cardinal de Lorrain having likewise informed the Pope, that it was against the Rights and usage of the Gallican Church, to suffer their Pro∣cess to be made at first instance at Rome, it stop'd that business for th e present; but five years after, Pius V. taking advantage of the weakness of the Kingdom to extend his own Authority, pronounced a like Sentence against them as that which had been thundred against the Cardinal de Chastillon, and caused it to be published in France.

The Rebellion of the Huguenots produced the Faction of the League, the example of their Confederations with Forreign Princes authorised also the measures these took with Spain. The proceedings of both Parties were al∣most the same; at first they affected a strict Discipline, then after a little while they fell into all manner of Licentiousness; Their Pulpiteers, and their Libellers were equally insolent and Factious; they employed the same Maxims, and used the same Language and Arguments against Soveraign Authority which they at∣tacked, and for the Liberty of the Subjects, and of Conscience to those whom they Debauched. In like manner both the one and the other, when they found they were in such extremities they could not possibly extricate themselves by ordinary means, suborned Assassines to help them out; but all who made use of those cursed means, perished by a like fate: For as Poltrot murther'd Francis Duke of Guise, so the Son of that Duke kill'd the Admiral; the Quarante-cinq* 1.125 Massacred this Prince at Blois; and those whose hands were stained in his Blood, did most of them come to a Bloody end; the wrath of Heaven punishing the first by the second, and these by a third, who were so too by others. Which had gone on to infinity, if the Clemency of King Henry IV. had not put a stop to those Murthers, which necessarily trod upon the heels of one another.

The first Lineaments of the League were traced in Guyenne, and in Langue∣doc, during the first Civil War, when there was danger lest the Huguenots should make themselves absolute Masters of those two large Provinces. In the year 1585. Humieres, with the Nobless in his Government of Vermandois, formed one at Peronne; and Lewis de la Trimouille another in Poitoü. The House of Guise labour'd hard to collect, and joyn them all together, especially after the Death of the Duke of Anjou: Not, perhaps that those Princes were then pushed on with the ambition of usurping the Crown, as they have been accused, but be∣cause they were so by the Natural desire of self-preservation. For the Physici∣ans assuring them that Henry III. could not live long, they justly feared when he should be no more, to be crushed, either by his Favourites, betwixt whom he had a mind to share his Kingdom, or by the Huguenots whose hatred against their Family could not be satiated with less then the blood of all those Princes: there∣fore it was they so provided and Fore-Arm'd themselves lest they should remain exposed to the Mercy both of the one and the other. It is probable the Forces they afterwards got into their hands by the Confluence of such potent Party's both from within and without the Kingdom, might inspire them with thoughts that were both more high and more Criminal: though it would be yet a much more easie task to find credible Conjectures, then an certai n or convincing Proofs of it.

The Pope, the Sorbonne, the Jesuits, and almost all the new Religious Or∣ders contributed with all their might to form the League; But yet their Credit would never have been sufficient to maintain it, if the People had not been so very ill used as they then were, and if the burthen of the Imposts, the Inso∣lence of the Favourites, the Weaknesses and scandalous Manners of Henry III. had not given them both an aversion and contempt for the Govern∣ment.

The Duke of Nevers began it out of zeal, and then disowned it out of jea∣lousie; Father Claude Matthieu a Jesuite was the first Courier for them: Gregory XIII. fomented it, Sixtus V. approved and protected it. Some will needs have, that the former contributed to the Conspiracy of Salcede: as the latter excom∣municated the King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condé Anno 1585. After the Barricades he wrote to the Duke of Guise, comparing him to the Machabees,

and gave him notice he had Created a Legat, a Latere; (this was John Francis* 1.126 Morosini) to whom the Cardinal de Bourbon and himself should communicate all their designs. The Death of this Prince murther'd at Blois, gave him much [Year of our Lord 1588] grief: that of the Cardinal de Guise, and the detention of the Arch-Bishop of Lyons furnished him with a pretext of revenging it with the Anathemaes of the Church. His Monitory against King Henry III. was published the four and twenti∣eth of May, affixed in the usual places at Rome the same Day, and on the Gates of the Cathedral Churches of Meaux and Chartres the three and twentieth of June.

If the Relations we have of those times are true, this Pope was even trans∣ported with joy upon the news he received of the Assassination of the said Prince, and highly applauded the act of Jacques Clement in the Consistory, comparing it to the most glorious Mysteries of Christianity, and to the generosity of the most glorious and Illustrious Martyrs. He thought after this change he was bound openly to take in hand the defence of Religion, and to hinder Henry IV. from getting into the Throne so long as he remained out of the Church: He therefore sent the Cardinal Caetan Legate a Latere, to the Duke of Mayen∣ne. Upon this occasion the Members of Parliament who were remaining still at Paris, and those that had withdrawn themselves to Tours, being directly oppo∣site, acted after a quite different manner, but with alike heat, the one for the Pope the others for the King.

The Sorbon refused nothing to the intreaties of the League, and the desires of his Holiness in an Affair that concerned Religion. It is not unknown what [Year of our Lord 1591] bloody decrees they made to draw the People from their obedience to Henry III. and Henry IV. but when the latter of these two Kings was converted, and with∣al become Master of Paris, they made one quite contrary in favour of him, not waiting till he had received his absolution from Rome.

Gregory XIV. not well informed of the State of the League, engaged him∣self yet farther then his Predecessor, he promised fifteen Thousand Crowns [Year of our Lord 1591] of Gold per Month to maintain and defend the City of Paris, and sent an Ar∣my into France, but it perished almost before it's entrance, and brought much more Scandal by the Vices of their Country, then assistance to the Party.

The Prelates, to preserve their Revenues which indeed was the main thing studied by most of them, and their greatest obligation, followed the Party that [Year of our Lord 1591] was most prevalent in those Countries where they had their Benefices: but in such parts as were Subject to the Incursions of both, they did not know what measures to take; for if they declared for the one, the other immediately gave away their Benefices. Gregory by a Bull of the year 1591. commanded all those that then followed the King, to forsake him upon pain of Excommunication; but the pre∣sent evil touching them more sensibly then his remoter Menaces, they would not obey his Commands.

This Pope held the See but six Months; Innocent his Successor, but two; Cle∣ment VIII. who was Elected afterwards, did at first follow the Steps of Gregory, and sent to Philip de Sega Bishop of Piacenza, (who was made Cardinal by the said Gregory) to procure the Election of a Catholick King, This was in the year [Year of our Lord 1592] 1592. The Prelates on their part, finding that all Communication was broke off with Rome, made a Proposition for the creating a Patriarch for France; and such as were the most powerful at Court, either upon the Score of favour or merit, did second it with all their might out of the hopes they had to obtain the said high dignity. But the Cardinal de Bourbon who had other thoughts for his own grandeur, opposed it vigorously, under pretence that it would be a means to Confirm the King in his Schism, and exasperate his Holiness the more. So it was ordained, that the Kings nomination to Benefices should be Confirmed by the Bishops, and that each of them should have the power of his Dispensation in his Diocess as the Pope.

If we should judge of the intent of the Heads of the League, by the effect pro∣duced, we might affirm it was good: for the Traverse and Troubles they gave Henry IV. put him to such a plunge, that fearing worse might follow, he resu∣med and embraced the Religion of his Ancestors to secure himself of the Crown. Clement did for some time after keep the Doors of the Church shut against him; but at length finding the weakness of the League, and the Ambition of the King of Spain, open'd them wide to him with great demonstration of kindness; But

* 1.127 not however without making all his efforts for augmenting the Authority of the [Year of our Lord 1595] Holy See upon so eminent and favourable an occasion.

From that time France was troubled no move with those violent fits occasion∣ed by heats of Religion; although some relicks still remained within her bow∣els of the inflamations of the Holy League: as on the other side the Cabals and Contrivances of the Huguenots gave continual Alarms and Apprehensions to King Henry IV. We have told you he allowed them the exercise of their Religion, and many other advantages by the Edict of Nantes.

Of the corruption of the two Parties, a third was generated named The Poli∣ticks, a People who seeming to profess the Religion of that Party they were en∣gaged in, yet having indeed none, since they placed and made it wholly subser∣vient in all things to Temporal Interests of State, were for that reason more pernicious then all the Hereticks.

During the greatest Heats of War for Religion, under the Reign of Charles IX. and the beginning of that of Henry III. the Clergy had not the leasure to* 1.128 assemble any Provincial Councils, although the Church stood in much need of them; but after the year 1580. there were held five or six by the Arch-Bishops assisted by their Suffragants. The Cardinal Charles de Bourbon Assembled one at Rouen Anno 1581. Anthony Prevost Sansac held one at Bourdeaux the follow∣ing year: Simon de Maillé one at Tours in 1583. Reinold de Beaune one at Bourges in 1584. Alexander Canigiani one at Aix Anno 1585. And Francis de Joyeuse Cardinal one at Toulouze Anno 1590.

I do not reckon amongst these Assemblies neither the diverse Conferences between the Catholick Doctors, and the Protestants, of which the most Fa∣mous, as also the most pernicious, was the Colloquy of Poissy; nor even what they call Assemblies of the Clergy of France, because the Form and Methods of Proceedings, and the reasons of their Convocation differ very much from those of Councils, though upon occasion they do sometimes treat of Discipline, and other Matters Ecclesiastical. It is true that in all times the Prelates have held such Assemblies, either by Order of the King, or by his leave, when it was re∣quisite for them so to do; but they were not held regularly, as they began to be since that Sacred Order was obliged in a Contract of twelve Hundred Thou∣sand Livers of Rent to the* 1.129 Hostel de Ville of Paris, and upon that Score to pay their Tenths punctually. We may, in my Opinion, put that of Melun [Year of our Lord 1579] which was held in the year 1597. for the first of this kind.

The Remonstrances they made to the King by the Mouth first of Arnaud de Pontac Bishop of Basas, then of Nicholas l'Anglier Bishop of Saint Brieuc's, were very pressing for the discharging and taking of those Rents, for reception of the Council of Trent, and the re-establishment of Elections. They could obtain nothing as to the first; for the second they were promis'd it should be conside∣red in due time and place; but to the Third, the King replied very roughly that he would do nothing in it, and asked whether they did not hold their Bi∣shopricks from him; To which some answered generously enough, that they were ready to surrender them into his hands again, provided he would be pleased to surrender that right to the Church according to the Holy Canons.

As to the remainder we may know by their Remonstrances what the disorders* 1.130 of the Gallican Church then were; we find, how the Bishopricks, the Abbeys, and Collegiate Churches were in the hands of Captains; That these words were often heard in their Mouthes, my Bishoprick, my Abbey, my Priest, my Cha∣nons, my Monks. That by an Act the Grand Council Order'd the Mo∣neys upon the Sale of a Bishoprick should be employ'd to pay the Debts of the Vendor; that in the Kings Council an Abbey had been adjudged to a Lady, as being given her in Dower, with an express Declaration, that after her Decease the Heirs should enjoy it in equal proportions: That many Bishopricks were without Bishops, and their Goods usurped by prophane Persons: that of neer eight hundred Abbeys, to which the King named, there were not an hundred Titulary or Commendatory Abbeys, and that of those the greater part did but only lend* 1.131 their names to others, who in effect enjoy'd the Revenue: Thus were the Churches without Pastors, the Monasteries without Religious Votaries, the Votaries without Discipline, the Temples and Sacred Places fallen to ruine, and converted to Dens of Thieves.

When the Clergy perceived they were thus left a prey to all the World, and that the Licentiousness of a Civil War exposed their Goods to the first occupier,

the Catholicks falling on them with no less greediness then the Huguenots, they* 1.132 endeavour'd to re-unite themselves for their own security, and the Bishops were forced to reside in their Bishopricks, if not to feed their Flocks, yet at least to preserve wherewith to feed themselves, Before this necessity, they ran from them as dismal Solitudes; the divertisements of Paris, and Servitude at Court, were a more pleasing exercise. History observes, how Anno 1560. John de Montluc, Bishop of Valence, speaking his mind freely one day in the Kings Council, complained how forty had been seen at once in Paris wallowing in all manner of Debaucheries and Idleness. Therefore the Parliament enjoyned them by a Decree, to return to their Bishopricks and to perform their Duties, otherwise they should be constrained to it by Seizure of their Goods and Equi∣page. But perhaps considering after what way they lived there for the most part, their absence might be less scandal to their Flocks, then their residence [☜] would have proved.

In this Age were not made any new Orders of Monks; I shall however men∣tion that of the Minimes which began in the precedent: Saint Francis a Native of Paolo in Calabria was the Institutor of it, and did plant it in France, at the* 1.133 time he was called thither by King Lewis XI. Pope Sixtus IV. approved it in 1473. And Julius II. Confirmed it in 1506.

All those of the Mendicants renewing their Ancient Fervour and Discipline, some sooner, others later, begot divers Reformations. That of Saint Francis which hath ever been more abounding than any other in diversity of Habits and Obser∣vations of Rules, produced three new Branches, that of the Capucines, that of the Recollects, and that of the Piquepusses.

That of the Augustines did likewise produce one which is the Hermites of Saint Augustine; as the Carmelites also produced the Congregation of those na∣med Deschaux. I pass by in silence that of the Dominicans or Jacobins Reformed, and that of the Augustins deschaussez, or Barefooted, forasmuch as they belong to the Seventeenth Age.

And to speak first of the Recollects, we must know that there having been at divers times many different Congregations in the Order of Saint Francis, who vaunted each the observing the Rule of their Patriarch in its greatest purity and simplicity, Leo X. had ordained that they should all be comprised and reduced into one, under the name of the Reformed; That notwithstanding there were yet many more of them who affected to be more rigid then the rest, and to observe the Rule litterally pursuant to the Declarations of Nicholas III. and Clement V. That in the year 1531. Clement VIII. caused certain Convents to be assigned, by the Superiors of the Order, where they placed those that had the Spi∣rit of Piety and Recollection; for which cause they were named Recollects. The Ci∣ties of Tulle in Limosin, and of Murat in Awvergne, were the first in France who allowed them any Convents, some Religious Friers having brought this Refor∣mation out of Italy about the year 1584. they had one at Paris; at present they have in the several parts of the Kingdom neer an Hundred and fifty, which are divided into seven Provinces.

The Original of the Capucins, so named from the extraordinary form of their Capuchon,* 1.134 or Hood, was thus. In the year 1525. a Frier Minor Observantin named Matthew de Basci of the Dutchy of Spoleta, a Votary in the Convent de Montefalconi, affirming that God had commanded him by a Vision to the exercise of a more severe Poverty, and that he had shewed him the very manner how St. Francis was cloathed, cut out a long pointed Hood or Capuche*, and such a Habit as the Capucins now wear, and retired himself into Solitude, by permission of the Pope. Some others, prompted by the same Spirit, joyned with him, to the number of twelve: The Duke of Florance gave them a Her∣mitage in his Territories, and so by little and little his band increased to that number, that in the year 1528. Pope Clement VII. approved this Congregation under the name of Friers Minors Capucines. Pope Paul III. confirmed it Anno 1536. with permission to settle in any place, and gave them a Vicar General, and Officers and Superiors. Such as have believed that Bernardinus Ochius, who Apostatized, and went over into the Camp of the Philistins or Hereticks, was the Institutor of so Holy a Congregation, were very ill informed: perhaps the advantage he had of being once their General, and one of the first and most no∣ted of those that embraced this Reformation, hath caused the mistake. In the Reign of Charles IX. they were received into France, and had first a Convent

* 1.135 at Meudon which the Cardinal de Lorrain caused to be crected for them, and another little one in the place called Piquepuz, where now are the Religious Pentients of the Tiers, or third Order of Saint Francis. King Henry III. transferr'd them from that place into a Convent he caused to be Built for them in the Faux-burg Sanct Honoré: They have nine Provinces in this Kingdom, and above four hundred Convents.

The Tiers Order of St. Francis, named the Penitents, were in the beginning only a Congregation of Secular Persons both of the one and the other Sex, but some while after they were made regular. Now in the following Ages, being extreamly relaxed, one of the Society named Vincent Massart a Parisian, under∣took to Reform them about the year 1595. The first Convent of this Reforma∣tion was built in the Village of Franconville, between Paris and Pontoise; and the second in the place called Piquepuz, at the end of the Faux-burg Saint Antoine, whence the vulgar hath named them * Piquepusses. This Order is divided in four Provinces, and hath about three-score Convents.

Pope Eugenius IV. having thought fit to mitigate the Rule of the Carmelites; the said mitigation having made them fall into a too great relaxation, Saincte Theresia, a Nun of this Order in the Convent of Auilla in Castille the place of her Birth, brought them again to their former Austerity. She began with the Sisters for whom she built a Monastery at Avile; Afterwards she undertook to restore the Men likewise, being assisted in this good work by two Religious Carmelites, who had their first Convent near the same City. Pope Clement VIII. separated them from the mitigated, Anno 1693. and allowed them to have their Province apart, and to chuse their Superiors amongst themselves, upon condition however to acknowledge the General of the Order. They came not into France till the year 1505. Their Convent in the Faux-bourg Saint Germain, the first that ever they had in the Kingdom, was Built Anno 1611.

The Reformed of the Hermites of St. Augustin, who are called at Paris les Petits Peres, (i.e. the Little Fathers) was instituted at the General Chapter of that Order held at Madrid Anno 1588. From thence some went and settled themselves in Italy, and from Italy six or Seven were brought into France in the year 1595. by William d'Avencon Arch-Bishop of Embrun who loged them at the Priory of Villars Benoist in Dauphiné. They were not Established at Paris till the year 1609. first in the Faux-burg St. Germain, where Queen Margaret Order'd a Convent to be erected for them, which they left to the Augustines Re∣formed who hold it still; then near the Gate Montmarte where they have built another.

The great care which the Friers De la Charité took by receiving in, as also tending and administring to the Sick, deserves we should make mention of them. The Blessed Ican de Dien,* 1.136 Native of the Diocess of Evora in Portugal, a simple Man without Learning, but inflamed with a Charitable zeal towards helping the poor sick, began this Congregation in Spain about the year 1570. He went daily about the Streets, and into many Houses, exhorting all good Christians to bestow their Alms, and having frequently these words in his mouth, Do good Brethren whilst you have the time, for which cause in Italy they named these Vo∣taries, Fatte ben Fratelli. Pious V. Confirmed it by his Bull of the first of Janu∣ary 1572. Clement VIII. reformed it, and Paul V. made it a Religious Order, obliging them to the three usual Vowes, and a special fourth, which is to tend the sick, under the dependance notwithstanding, and under the Correction of the Ordinaries.

The Congregation of Feuillents sprung from the Order of the Cistertians, and began not till the year 1586▪ in the Abbey of Feuillents which is in the Dio∣cess of Rieux, within six Leagues of Toulouze. It had for Author John de la Bar∣riere, who being Abbot Commendatary of that place, had taken on him the Habit of a Frier, Sixtus V. approved it, Clement VIII. and Paul V. allowed them particular Superiors. King Henry III. Founded a Convent for them in the Faux∣bourg Saint Honoré, near the Garden of the Tuilleries, and Anno 1587. John de la Barriere brought thither three-score of his Friers. They went then all bare∣footed, but have since worne Sandals, or Galochees; They have but three Prvinces in France, and some thirty Monasteries.

* 1.137 As every Age and every Generation hath its particular gusto and productions, this sixteenth Century was very fertile in Congregations of Clerc's Regulars, who are a kind of midling species between Monks and Priests. Such are those

of the Theatins, the Somasques, the Clerc's Minors, the Ministers of the Infirmaries,* 1.138 the Schools of Piety, the Clerc's Regulars of Saint Paul, called Barnabites, the Oratorians of Rome, and the Jesuites, this last much more potent and of great∣er extent then all the rest together. I shall observe, en passant, that one of these Fathers, a man very devout, named John Leon, a Flemming by Birth, and Regent in the lower Classes of their Colledge at Rome, assembling those Scho∣lars who were desirous to add Piety to Erudition, gave beginning to their Con∣gregation of the Virgin; which hath been found so good and useful, that they have not only made of them for their Scholars, but also for the hone∣ster sort of Citizens, and even in some places for Artisans.

Of all the Clerc's Regulars, none have come into France but the Jesuits, the Barnabites, and the Theatins. These last we not established till in our time, under the Regency of Queen Anne of Austria. It is well known that Saint Ignatius was Institutor of the Company of Jesus, how it began in the year 1534. and how it was approved by Pope Paul III. and by his Successors. We may elsewhere relate upon what conditions they were admitted into France, the oppositions formed against their reception and the great and frequent Traverses they have undergone divers times. It shall suffice at this moment to say, that they have filled the whole Earth with the loud report of their names, and the Books they have composed both for the advancement of Religion, and of all po∣lite Learning.

The Barnabites had been wished for in France by King Henry IV. to have employed them for the Instruction of Youth, and to have substituted them in place of the Jesuits, after they were empelled. They came not then, but about six years after their General sent some of his Order to labour for the Con∣version of Bearn▪ yet did not they take root in this Kingdom till a long time afterwards: they have here fifteen or sixteen houses, in most of which they have Colledges to teach all manner of good Learning. Their first establishment was at Montargis Anno 1620. And two years after they had one at Paris near the Palace. Their Congregation took Birth at Milan, and was instituted by three Gentlemen, two of that City, another of Cremona. They went by the name of Barnabites, because they established themselves in Barnaby's, and the Church they built there was Consecrated to God under the name of that great Apostle.

* 1.139 Let us now speak of the Religious Orders of the other Sex. We omitted in the end of the last Age, how in Anno 1594. John Ti••••eran a Cordelier, having moved and even melted the most obdurate hearts, and converted many Ladies of Pleasure by his Preaching, founded an Order Des Filles Repenties* 1.140 to the ho∣nour of Saint Magdalene, which was to receive such who by the Mercies of God should be brought to forsake and abhor their sins. For which reason they were called Penitents. There came in at the very first two hundred and twenty: and as the number encreased so much, that the Revenue was not sufficient, they allowed many to go about the Town, to crave the Almes of the Charitable and well disposed people. Which lasted till the year 1550. when by reason of many inconveniencies, they were shut up in a most strict confinement. Lewis Duke of Orleans, who was afterwards King, gave them his Hostel of Orleans* 1.141 near Saint Eustache, where they remained till Anno 1572. that Queen Cathe∣rine dislodged them to build a Palace there, and transferred them to the Chap∣pel Saint George, in the Street Saint Denis, which till then belonged to the Or∣der of Saint Magloire.

Queen Jane Daughter of King Lewis XI. being parted from King Lewis XII. her Husband, and retired to the City of Bourges, had now no further thoughts or desire of pleasing any but him who does bestow the Celestial Crowns of Eter∣nity; and since she could not lose her Virginity to become the Mother a Daufin would needs make her self the Mother of an infinite Com∣pany of Virgins by preserving it. She therefore instituted the Order of the Annunciation, or the Annunciades, which she put under the direction of the Friers Minors Observantines The Rule is not taken either from that of Saint Bennet, nor that of Saint Augustin, nor any other; but formed of the ten Vertues of the Holy Virgin, which are Chastity, Prudence, Humility, Truth, Devotion, Obedience, Poverty, Patience, Charity and Compassion. The Ha∣bit is singular, the Vail black, the Mantle white, the Scapular red, the Robe gray, and a Cord for a Girdle. There are divers Monasteries of them in France and in the Low-Countries.

* 1.142 We must not confound this Order with that of the Celestial Annunciades, the institution whereof came from Genoa, and did not begin till the year 1604▪ we shall make mention of it in due time and place.

The Rule of the she Capucines is almost the same with that of the Men, and their Institution almost as ancient: The Dutchess of Mercaeur laid the first Stone for the Foundation of their Convent at Paris in the year 1604. pursuant to the intentions of Queen Louisa her Mother in Law, who by Will left where∣with to build it, for those Sisters.

The first Convent of the she Feüillantines, was established near Toulouze about the year 1590. then transferr'd to Toulouse it self. Antoinetta d'Orleans Widdow of Charles de Gondy, Marquess of Belle-Isle, put her self into it, Anno 1599.

The Pope drew her thence to give her the Government of the Abbey Font-Evrard; and some years after she instituted the Congregation of the Bene∣dictines under the Title of Saint Mary of Calvary, and Saint Scholastique.

As for the Sister Carmelites, their reform not being brought out of Spain in above forty years after their first beginning, it hapned that Anno 1604. Peter de Berulle who was yet but a simple Priest, though one that had rare natural Talents, and the particular favour of Heaven, took the pains to go into that Country, and to bring thence some Scions of that most happy Nursery to graft and plant in France, so that at present there are nine and fifty Monasteries of them.

* 1.143 King Henry III. as we have already mentioned, established the Order of the Holy-Ghost Anno 1597. and Henry IV. that of Nostre-Dame du Mont-Carmel Anno 1607. The Pope gave him his Bulls for the Erection of it the same year; and the following others whereby he united it with that of Saint Lazarus. We must note, touching this last, that at the time when the Western Christians held the Holy Land, besides the orders of the Templers, the Teutonick Knights, and the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, there was likewise one established under the Title of Saint Lazarus, who received Pilgrims into their Houses founded for that purpose, conducted them in their Journeys, and defended them against the Mahometans: insomuch that the Popes gave them great Priviledges, as other Princes gave them great Possessions. Lewis VII. Anno 1154. bestow'd the Lands of Boigny near Orleans upon them. These Knights there seated themselves after the Christians were beaten out of the Holy-Land, kept their Titles, and always held their Assemblies in that place.

Now being become useless, they also came to be despised, so that the Knights of Saint Johns easily obtained the suppression of that Order and the Uniting of it to their own from Innocent VIII. but those in France having made complaint to the Parliament, it was ordained they should be kept separate from all other. And in effect they have always had their grand Masters. Pius IV. who was ever very curious for the adorning his Family with fair Titles, gave the said Honour of great Master (of those in Italy only) to Joannot de Chastillon, his Kinsman; This Joannot being dead in the year 1572. Pope Gregory XIII. left it wholly to the Duke Emanuel Philibert of Savoy, and to all his Successors, and joyned this Order to that of Sainct Maurice, which he instituted in favour of that Prince. But as that concerned not France, Aymar de Chattes Knight of Malta, had a de∣sire to get it restored, and revived here that he might be graced with that digni∣ty; Philibert de Nerestang, a Gentleman of extraordinary vertue, and Captain of the Guards du Corps, succeeded him in the same design, and so effectually and happily employed the power and interest of Henry IV, that he made him Great Master in the year 1608. and obtained a very advantageous Bull of the Pope for the said Order; which is particular for the French only, as that of Sainct Maurice and of Sainct Lazarus is for those beyond the Alpes. The Knights amongst other Priviledges, have the liberty to marry, and hold Pensions of Consistorial Benefices.

* 1.144 I do not know that the Gallican Church produced many Prelates in this Age, who encreased the Catalogue of Saints; but she had many that were very illu∣strious, some for their Learning, others for the management of Affairs as well Spiritual as Temporal, and divers both for the one and the other. The first and the most eminent of them all, was George de Amboise Cardinal, a wise Pre∣late, a generous able and honest Minister, and a Cardinal with but one Benefice; who governed his almost absolute power by rules of justice, and founded the Kings interest upon the publick good.

* 1.145 The Popes never made so many Cardinals in France as during this Age, parti∣cularly under the Reigns of Francis I. and Henry II. There were three in the House of Bourbon, Lewis Son of Francis Duke of Vendosme, Charles Brother of Anthony King of Navarre, and another Charles Son of Lewis Prince of Condé. The first was Arch-Bishop of Sens: the other two of Roüen: There were five of the House of Lorrain: The first was John Bishop of Mets, who kept up the dignity of his Birth at a very great height, and made it appear he was a Prince by such liberalities as amounted even to profusion. The second was Charles Arch-Bishop of Reims. He was Nephew of the said John, and Brother of Francis Duke of Guise. Heaven, Fortune and his Birth had denied him nothing that was requisite to the making up of a great Man; the learned of his time, said of him, that he was the Mercury of France, as his Brother was the Mars; but many Men believed, he would have been much greater yet, had he been less ambitious and less turbulent. The third was Lewis Brother of this Charles, who was called the Cardinal de Guise Arch-Bishop of Sens.

The fourth, another Lewis also Arch-Bishop of Reims, as Charles his Uncle had been; he was Murther'd at Blois with Henry Duke of Guise his Brother: And the fifth, Charles called the Cardinal of Vaudemont, Brother of the Queen Loüisa. There were others likewise of great Birth, one of the House of Luxembourg, which was Philip Bishop of Mans: one of the House of Longueville; i. e. John Bishop of Orleans: one of the House of Albret; which was Amanjeu Bishop of Lascar: one of the House of Gramont, who was Bishop of Poitiers, then Arch-Bishop of Toulouze, named Gabriel: one of the House of Strozzi (he was called Lawrence) Bishop of Beziers: one of the House of Joyeuse, this was Francis Arch-Bishop of Toulouze; he lived in the Reigns of Henry III. and Henry IV. and Strozzi in the time of Charles IX.

Almost all the rest, to the number of near twenty, were likewise persons of Quality, and attained to this eminent dignity, some, though but very few, by their merit only, as John du Bellay Bishop of Paris, and George d'Armagnac, Son of Peter, Baron of Caussade, Bastard of Charles last Earl of Armagnac: the most part by knowing how to make their Court, or because allied to those in favour: as Philip de la Chambre; Adrian de Goussier Boissy, Brother of Arthur Grand Maistre of the Kings Houshold; John le Veneur, Bishop of Lisieux, and Grand Almoner of France; James d'Annebault, Brother to the Admiral of that name; Claude de Longvic Givry, Bishop of Poitiers; Anthony Sanguin* 1.146 whom they called the Cardinal de Meudon; Odet de Chastillon, Nephew of the Connestable de Montmorency; and George de Amboise, second of that name, like∣wise Arch-Bishop of Rouen, as his Uncle was. As for Peter de Gondy, Son of the Mareschal de Rais, and Bishop of Paris, he was Created Cardinal upon the recommendation of Queen Catherine; as also René de Birague a Gentleman of Milan, who together with this dignity he had the Office of Chancellor of France.

There were some others of meaner Birth, who arrived at this dignity by means of their employments in the Finances, or in the Law, as Anthony Duprat, John Bertrandi, and Philip Babou la Bourdaisiere.

But it was neither Blood, nor favour that cloathed Arnold Dossat, and Jac∣ques Davy du Perron with the sacred Purple, it was the recompence of their servi∣ces, of their great capacity, and of their rare erudition. Dossat was but the Son of a Peasant in the Diocess of Auch; and du Perron of a Huguenot Minister of the lower Normandy, but a Gentleman. We have known a Natural Son of the first, who died Curate of Mesnil-Aubry, within four Leagues of Paris.

* 1.147 There was likewise a great number of Illustrious Bishops, concerning whose promotion one may say the same things as have been hinted of that of the Car∣dinals. I observe at Sisteron, Lawrence Bureau an excellent Preacher for those times; he had been a Religious Carmelite, and Confessor to King Charles VIII. and Lewis XII. At Treguier, John du Calloüet a famous Doctor in the Civil and Canon-Law: he died Anno 1504. At Lucon, Peter de Sacierge, whom Lewis XII. made Chancellor and President of Milan. At Marceilles, Claude de Seissel a Sa∣voyard by Birth, whose Writings are very well worthy to be read, being every [☜] where inter-spersed with those wholesome Maxims, which only can procure im∣mortal Fame to Princes and felicity to their Subjects; he was afterwards Arch-Bishop of Turin. At Renes Bernard Bochetel, who served as Secretary to the Kings

* 1.148 Lewis XII. and Francis I. but in fine, touched with some remorse of Conscience, or by some other motive, he quitted his Bishoprick, whose functions in effect are [☞] not altogether compatible with the employments at Court. In the days of these said Kings, I find at Paris, then at Sens, Stephen Poncher a Tourengeau by Birth, who had been President in Parliament, Chancellor of Milan, and of the Kings Order, and Keeper of the Seals of France. Under Francis I. at Riez, then at Vence, and afterwards at Aurenches, Robert Cenault * 1.149, at Mascon, Peter Castel∣lan Great Almoner of France. And at Maguelone, William Pelicier. These three were raised upon the consideration of their Learning; Castellan was he who with Budeus put the brave King Francis upon the design of instituting the Regis Professors at Paris, and who chose the first, whereof Pelicier was one. In the time of Henry II. I find at Lavaur, Peter Danez whom Francis I. had called from the University of Bourges where he professed the Greek Tongue, to make him Tutor to his Daufin; And at Vienne, Charles de Marillac, who died in the year 1560. for the great fear he had le••t the House of Guise, against whom he had let his Tongue ramble too freely, should draw him within the Noose and Guilt of Heresie, or Accuse him of some Conspiracy.

In the time of Charles IX, and Henry III. there was at Mans, Charles de An∣gennes [☞] Ramboüillet, in whose praise it is said, that during his Nine and twenty years holding that See, he never gave one Cure, but upon the score of Merit and Integrity, having for that purpose made a Register of all those whom he thought most deserving and capable. At Nevers, Arnold Sorbin, who was Surnamed de Sainte Foy * 1.150, because he had been Curate of a Parish so named; he passed for a great Divine and a very Eloquent Preacher. At Orleans, John de Morvillier, Na∣tive of the City of Blois; Queen Catherine made him one of the King's Council, where he was ever opposed to the Chancellour de l'Hospital, because he aspired to get the Seals, as in effect he did. At Auxerre, James Amiot, Native of Melun, of very mean Extraction, but a man of exquisite Literature: Henry II. made him Preceptor to his Children, and Abbot of Bellosane; afterwards Charles IX. one of his Disciples gave him the Bishoprick of Auxerre. At Valence, John de Montluc, who was too wavering in the Faith, though very Learned, and withal a very dexterous Negociator. At Tours, Simon de Maille, a profound Theologer and well read in the Fathers, who was taken out of the Order of the Cistertians where he was Abbot, to be promoted to an Archbishoprick. At Air, Francis de Foix Candale, Uncle of the Duke d'Espernon's Wife, thorowly versed in Humane Learning, in the Philosophy of Trismegistus and of Plato, and in Chymistry. At Chaalons, Pontus de Thiard, both Poet and Mathematician, a singular Talent! who died Aged Fourscore and four years. At Evreux, Claude de Saintes, a vehe∣ment Preacher, and a Divine of great Reputation: and at Senlis, William Rose, who had likewise made himself very famous by his Sermons. These two were Passionate Leaguers: Saintes was taken in Louviers, with the City, by the Roya∣lists, Anno 1591. and carried to Caen, where he died in Prison, having ran great hazard of making his Exit on a Scaffold for his Writing and Preaching against Henry III. Rose had many shocks to undergo likewise after the Decadence of the League; but he at length did fortunately extricate himself, and exchanged his Bishoprick with him of Auxerre. At Clermont, was Bishop Anthony de Saint Nectaire, who employ'd himself much in the intrigues of Catherine de Medicis; And at Sees, Peter du Val, in whose time the Chanons of his Church resumed their secular Habits, as they did during this Age in many other Cathedrals. The de∣sire of a Reformation made him lean too much towards the Party of the pretended Reformed. Lewis Moulinet his Nephew was his Successor. It is observed of him, a rare example of a true Pastor! that during his holding that See for Twenty seven years together, he was never but one Six Months absent from his Bishoprick or Diocess, shewing by this example, that a good Bishop takes delight in his re∣sidence, as the evil one both esteems and finds it his Pain and Punishment.

[☞] There were none that signalized themselves more during the League than Peter d'Espinac, and Reinold de Beaulne: the first Archbishop of Lyons, and the second of Bourges, both Men of great Eloquence, and far greater intrigue; Espinac of the Party for the League, and Beaulne of that for the King; they both lived a good while in the Reign of Henry IV.

Under whom neither must we forget Alfonso d'Elbene Bishop of Alby, nor Ar∣nold de Pontac, and Nicholas l'Angelier generous Defenders of the Rights, and the Liberty of the Church, this being Bishop of Saint Brieuc, the other of Bazas;

nor René Benoist, who being Curate of Saint Eustache at Paris, greatly contribu∣ted* 1.151 to the Conversion of King Henry IV. and the bringing him into the pale and bosom of the Church, without staying for any Orders from Rome. The said Prince chose him for his Confessor, and named him to the Bishoprick of Troyes: It is true he could not obtain the Bulls for it, but we may boldly say he de∣served them, were it but only for those very reasons for which they were denied him.

* 1.152 We ought not to give the Name of Bishops to those who fell into the Errors of the Sectaries, and whom by the Pope were excommunicated for the same, as we have before mentioned. Yet was there but one of those Ten, that em∣braced Calvinisme; namely John Caracciol Son of John Prince of Malfy, Bishop of Troyes, who Anno 1565. abandoned his Bishoprick to take a Wife. It is true that about Six years before, viz. in the year 1559. James Spifame had quitted his Episcopal See of Nevers to Marry and retire to Geneva; but if his example did shew the way to Caracciol, certainly his unfortunate end ought as much again to have deter'd him: for upon I know not what suspition they had of him in that City, he was accused of Adultery, and they caused his Head to be cut off for that pretended Crime.

Even from the Fourteenth Age, Learning did begin to re-flourish, and as we may say, to emit some Infant, yet lively beams, principally in Italy. In propor∣tion as they discover'd its beauty and lustre, it inflamed the Love and Curiosity of the Ingenious, who being nauseated with the Barbarity of the Schools, and the Fopperies and Ergotismes, wherewith the Authors of those times were stuffed, applied themselves to search after the Greek and Latin Authors of the more polite Ages, in the select and best furnished Libraries, and rescuing them out of the rubbish and dust, wherein they had been so long Buried, made them more Publick and communicable to the World by the help of Printing.

They then studied to speak Greek and Latin as exquisitely, as in the times of the Republick of Athens, and the Empire of Augustus: Those that were inclined to the Study of Holy Writ, endeavour'd likewise to attain some Knowledge and Perfection in the Hebrew Tongue, without which it is al∣most impossible thorowly to understand the Books of the Old Testament; and at the same time the curiosity of such as travelled into the Countries of the Levant, brought back with them an itch or desire of learning the Oriental Lan∣guages, especially the Arabian, of which the Turkish is an Idiom. True it is that these Learned Men though able to attain to the greatest purity of Foreign Tongues, could not give it to the French; on the contrary, they made it more harsh and more obscure than it was before, perplexing it with a multitude of tedious Allegations, false Phrases, Transpositions, and broken Latin, from all which Sophistication, the Age we now live in, hath had much ado to Purge and to refine it.

King Charles VIII. loved all the Noble Arts, but had not time to Cultivate and to improve them. Lewis XII. favour'd them, had an esteem for, and ge∣nerosity towards the Learned, and caused search to be made after the Manuscripts of ancient Authors, whereof he gathered and made up a curious Library. Fran∣cis I. surpass'd him very much in that noble Passion, as he surpassed all the Princes of his time in Magnificence and in liberality. His Reign, to say all in a word, was the Reign of Men of Learning; he had an incredible multitude of them, and those truly accomplished and Skilful in the Tongues, in the Knowledge of Antiquity, in the Law, in Philosophy, and Physick; as also in the Mathema∣ticks and Astrology. And indeed, that great Prince did so generously favour them with his Gratifications, with the noblest Employments in all his Affairs, and his personal familiarity, that it seemed, as he would share his State and Grandeur with them.

A Volume would not suffice to contain but the names only, and almost all of them were so excelling, each in his way, that whosoever should undertake to select some particular ones out of those Miriads, must run the hazard both of doing wrong to his own Judgment, and to the Merits of those whose Names he should omit. I shall observe only, that the Universities abounded with very learned Professors in Philosophy, & in Humanity; That as much may be said of the Facult▪ Medicina, which till then had but an imperfect knowledge of the Doctrines of the Divine Hippocrates: That that of Theology had more learned Doctors than ever

* 1.153 before, though not perhaps so clear and so enlightned for the Positive, as we find now in our dayes; That all the grand Magistracies were supplied and filled with Persons both profound in Science, and most of them of singular Vir∣tues; and that there never was more of Jurisprudence in the Parliaments and at the Bar, nor greater Capacity and solid Reasonings amongst the Ad∣vocates.

I shall only add, that the French Poesie, which till this time was almost no∣thing but a gross gingling paltry way of Rhiming, without either much of Art or Fancy, began to be stripp'd of its Pyed-Coat, and to deck it self with the real Ornaments of Antiquity: But yet even those who labour'd to restore it to that Harmonious Composition, invented for no other end but to elevate the Mind and Thoughts to things Noble and Sublime, did most unhappily pervert the same by the ill use they made thereof. For studying by a Cri∣minal complaisance to flatter the Vanity and lascivious Passions of the Court, they Metamorphosed, if I may so speak, the Muses into Sirenes, and debased that Noble Off-spring of Heaven, to somewhat of more shameful and sordid than either Mendicity or Slavery.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This Mares∣chal was Co∣ligny, Gaspar. under Francis I.
• * 1.2

  Burning Courts.
• * 1.3

  His name was de Mou∣chy, born in a Village of the Diocess of Noyon, and his Spies were cal∣led Mouchards. i. e. Eaves∣droppers, or setters.
• * 1.4

  Chef Mu••t as concealed'under Hatches▪
• * 1.5

  He that can∣not warrant it, ought not to pro∣mise it.
• * 1.6

  Fidgenossen or Fidnos, then Huguenots.
• * 1.7

  The Staple.
• * 1.8

  Or Peers.
• * 1.9

  Vide in the Reign of Fran∣cis I. King LVII.
• * 1.10

  Pairies.
• * 1.11

  His name was after changed to Henry, and he was King.
• * 1.12

  Perugia.
• * 1.13

  The Hugue∣nots followed the Doctrines of Zuinglius and Calvin.
• * 1.14

  Beginning of the War for Re∣ligion.
• * 1.15

  Their own Au∣thors blame them for it, and say, that by this furious zeal, they drew upon them the Peoples hate and Massacres.
• * 1.16

  By this word is meant, the Duke of Guise, the Constable, and the Mares∣chal de Saint André, and by Confederates, they and the King of Na∣varre.
• * 1.17

  They were Sons of Brother and Sister.
• * 1.18

  Half a League from Orleans.
• * 1.19

  Or Jurisdi∣ction.
• * 1.20

  Emperor Soly∣man and Maxi∣milian, II. R. 22 years, and 3 Months.
• * 1.21

  He was 13. years old.
• * 1.22

  She was call∣ed Peace because she was Marri∣ed to King Phil. 1559. as a pawn for the Peace.
• * 1.23

  Emperor Maximilian II, and Selim. II, Son of So∣lyman. Reign∣ed 8 years 2 Months.
• * 1.24

  Or distinct Courts of Judi∣cature.
• * 1.25

  Artic. 48.
• * 1.26

  Artic. 54.
• * 1.27

  Artic. 57.
• * 1.28

  Or Beggars a nick name given the re∣formed.
• * 1.29

  Boucicaut Montclar, Paulin, Serig∣nan, Caumont, Rapin and Montaigue.
• * 1.30

  Or Field Marshal.
• * 1.31

  The Lame Peace.
• * 1.32

  Angels of Gold.
• * 1.33

  Duke of Zwee-Brughen or Two-Brid∣ges.
• * 1.34

  He was af∣terwards Duke.
• * 1.35

  Not mistake him for the Count de Mon∣trevel whose sirname is la Baume.
• * 1.36

  Vide befor•• in March, 1568.
• * 1.37

  Or Light Galleys.
• * 1.38

  ••lluzzali.
• * 1.39

  Acquittan∣ces for Mo∣ney due, but never paid, &c.
• * 1.40

  1574. December. Emp. Amurat II. Son of Selim. II. Dead the 13th of De∣cemb. R. Twenty years, and One Month. And Maximi∣lian II.
• * 1.41

  Vulgarly Senetaire.
• * 1.42

  Because he razed or sha∣ved them to the quick by his exactions.
• * 1.43

  German Horse.
• * 1.44

  Or Court•• Half Prote∣stants, half Catholiques▪ like our par∣ty Juries.
• * 1.45

  In despite of their Teeth.
• * 1.46

  Emp. Rodolph II. Son of Maximilian, who died in October, R. Thirty five years, Three Months. And Selsin II.
• * 1.47

  Why did he meddle with them?
• * 1.48

  This was called the Pacification of Ghent.
• * 1.49

  Revenue, or Treasury.
• * 1.50

  For his Purse.
• * 1.51

  Chap 5. of the year 1142.
• * 1.52

  L'Ordre du Sainct Fsprit.
• * 1.53

  The Coun∣try word for the Mouth of the River.
• * 1.54

  Vide, The Me∣moirs of Sully, Vol. 1. Fol. 79.
• * 1.55

  Quarente∣cinq.
• * 1.56

  'Tis the pro∣per term.
• * 1.57

  His name was Robert.
• * 1.58

  The Barr••∣cado's,
• * 1.59

  This Castle is distinct from the Ci∣tadel.
• * 1.60

  Forty-five.
• * 1.61

  Forty-five.
• * 1.62

  Vi••••, in March pre∣ceding.
• * 1.63

  Or Suburbs St. James.
• * 1.64

  It is now the Hostel de Conde.
• * 1.65

  A Measure about Twelve Bushels.
• * 1.66

  In the Marca of Ancona.
• * 1.67

  Tiers Party.
• * 1.68

  Or Ordina∣ry Judge.
• * 1.69

  It was said of the Pari∣sians they knew better how to fast then fight.
• * 1.70

  Anroux, Emonot, Ame∣line, Lou∣chard.
• * 1.71

  It was cal∣led, Pilleba∣dand.
• * 1.72

  The death of the Duke of Guise was that of Henry III.
• * 1.73

  Or advised too late.
• * 1.74

  Or Glut∣tons, &c.
• * 1.75

  Emperor Ro∣dolph II. and Mahomet III. Son of Amu∣rath after he had caused twenty of his Brothers to be drowned, he Reigned ten years.
• * 1.76

  Or Wand▪
• * 1.77

  Cate••••••. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Capelle, D 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lens, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Calais and Ardres.
• * 1.78

  Or Bills.
• * 1.79

  Vulgarly called A••a••∣tel.
• * 1.80

  Or, True good French∣men.
• * 1.81

  Or a Camp Massacre.
• * 1.82

  The Duke of Savoy cal∣led him so.
• * 1.83

  It is now called Bella∣garde.
• * 1.84

  End of the League and the War.
• * 1.85

  Or Priae∣pisme.
• * 1.86

  Mattins in Lent in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 C. Churches.
• * 1.87

  A Nose-gay given from one to ano∣ther, which appoints who shall Treat next.
• * 1.88

  Afternoon Sittings, &c.
• * 1.89

  These are the Pieces of 27 Sols now.
• * 1.90

  A Priviledg•• elsewhere Rela∣ted▪
• * 1.91

  They called him Pater Ney
• * 1.92

  Son of la Blanche first President in the Court des aiides Massacred at the St. Barthol•• mews.
• * 1.93

  Or Tele∣scopes.
• * 1.94

  East and West-Indies.
• * 1.95

  Or Luee-Brughen.
• * 1.96

  Or Wolf∣gang.
• * 1.97

  He was not very old, but very much bro∣ken.
• * 1.98

  Imagination contributes much towards the shaping of these Figures.
• * 1.99

  Church.
• * 1.100

  Monsieur de Marca, Archbi∣shop of Tou∣louze, and af∣terwards of Paris.
• * 1.101

  Church.
• * 1.102

  E'in-rauch in High-Dutch, and Capnos in Greek, signifie Smoak.
• * 1.103

  Church.
• * 1.104

  Causes of the Progress of Lu∣theranism.
• * 1.105

  Other Causes which obstru∣cted it.
• * 1.106

  Therefore, He treated them as Hereticks all his life time.
• * 1.107

  Church.
• * 1.108

  La Vaupute, Fraissiniere, Pragela, Ar∣gentiere, &c.
• * 1.109

  Church.
• * 1.110

  Pigge-Mar∣ket.
• * 1.111

  Beginning of the new Opini∣ons in France, and the cause of their Progress.
• * 1.112

  Church.
• * 1.113

  Church.
• * 1.114

  Vide in the Year 1534.
• * 1.115

  How the No∣vators were treated in France.
• * 1.116

  Church.
• * 1.117

  Causes of the Progress of Calvinisme in Fr.
• * 1.118

  Church.
• * 1.119

  Council of Trent.
• * 1.120

  Church.
• * 1.121

  Church.
• * 1.122

  Church.
• * 1.123

  Church.
• * 1.124

  Church.
• * 1.125

  Forty five.
• * 1.126

  Church.
• * 1.127

  Church.
• * 1.128

  Councils of the Gallican Church.
• * 1.129

  Town-Hall.
• * 1.130

  Disorders in the Church.
• * 1.131

  They were called Custodi∣nes.
• * 1.132

  Church.
• * 1.133

  Religious Or∣ders.
• * 1.134

  Some had worn them be∣fore.
• * 1.135

  Church.
• * 1.136

  or John of God.
• * 1.137

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Regu∣lars.
• * 1.138

  Church.
• * 1.139

  Religious Or∣ders of Women
• * 1.140

  Or Penitent Whores.
• * 1.141

  At present the Hostel de Soissions.
• * 1.142

  Church.
• * 1.143

  Military Or∣ders.
• * 1.144

  Illustrious Pre∣lates.
• * 1.145

  Church.
• * 1.146

  He was Ne∣phew to the Dutchess d'Estampes.,
• * 1.147

  Bishops.
• * 1.148

  Church.
• * 1.149

  Or Robertus Cenalis.
• * 1.150

  Or Saint Faiths.
• * 1.151

  Church.
• * 1.152

  Bishops who fell into heresit.
• * 1.153

  Church.