The memorialls of Margaret de Valoys, first wife to Henry the fourth, King of France and Navarre compiled in French by her owne most delicate and royall hand : and translated into English by Robert Codrington ...

The Memorialls of Queen MARGARET. The Third Booke. (Book 3)

THE time Passing away it selfe in this manner, I every houre sollicited the King to grant me leave to goe unto the King my husband, who perceiving that he no longer could denie me, unwilling that I should depart from him unsatisfied, and infinitely besides desiring to divert me from the friendship of my brother, he ob∣lieged me to stay by all manner of benfits and perswasions, and gave me according to the promise which the Queen my mother

had made at the peace of Sens, the assigna∣tion of my dowry in lands, and besides that, the nomination and disposure of certaine offices and places of preferment; and adding to the pension which the daughters of France were accustomed to receive, he allowed me an exhibition from his owne coffers, and taking the pains to come and visite me every morning, he continually represented, how profitable would his friendship prove unto me, al∣leaging that my Brothers love would in the end procure my ruine, and that his would possesse me with a life as safe as happy, with a thousand other reasons ten∣ding to the same purpose, in which he could never shake the fidelity which I had vowed to my brother, and could draw nothing from me but onely this, that my greatest desire was to see my brother in his favour, that it seemed to me that he de∣served not to be removed from it, being confident that he would be most worthy of it by all humilitie of obedience, and de∣voted service: For my selfe, I acknow∣ledged, I was obliged to him for so much honour and benefits received, that he might well assure himself, that I would not faile him in whatsoever command∣ments he should enjoyne me to perform,

and that I would travell in nothing more, then to preserve the King my Husband in his loyaltie. My brother being then up∣on his expedition into Flanders, the Queen my mother desired to goe to Alenson, to see him before his departure. I besought the King that he would be pleased I should ac∣company her, to take my farewell of my brother; to this, but to his griefe, he gave permission.

Being returned from Alenson, having all things ready for my departure, I did again beseech the King, that he would give me leave to goe, to which he condiscended; the Queen my mother, who had a voyage also into Gascogny, for the service of the King (that countrey having need either of his, or her presence) resolved that I should not depart without her; and the Court removing from Paris, the King brought us to his Dolinville, where having entertained us certaine dayes, we tooke our leave of him, and a little after, we came into Guyenne, and travelled through all that Province, before we arrived at the government of the King my husband. He came to meet my mother as farre as La Reolle, a towne which those of the Reli∣gion did hold for the mistrust which did yet possesse them, the peace of that coun∣trey

being not fully established: He was bravely attended with all the Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion of Gascogny, and with some Catholicks. The Queen my mother determined to make but a short stay, but there intervened so many accidents on the Catholicks side, and on the Huguenots, that she was constrained to make there her abode full 18. moneths, and being angry and weary of it, she would oftentimes alledge, that it was done on purpose by them to enjoy the presence of her Gentlewomen; the King my hus∣band being strongly inamoured on Dayel∣la, and Monsieur de Thurenus on La Verg∣na, which was yet no hindrance unto me from receiving all desired love, and great honour from the King my husband, who from the beginning recounted to me all the projects and devices which were con∣trived in the time of his residence at court, to work his dissention betwixt us, which he acknowledged were made on purpose to dissolve the friendship betwixt my bro∣ther and himself, and to ruine us all three, and undissemblingly expressed what a full content he did receive, that we were now together. Wee remained in this happy condition, during the time of my mothers abode in Gascogny, who after she had esta∣blished

the peace, changed the Kings Liev∣tenant at the intreaty of the King my Hus∣band, removing Monsieur the Marques of Villars, and putting in the place of him Monsieur the Marshall of Biron.

My Mother passing into Languedock, we conducted her as farre as Castlenau∣darti, where taking our farewell of her, we returned to the Town of Pau in Bearne, which having not the exercise of the Ca∣tholick Religion, they onely permitted me to have Masse said in a little Chappell, which was but three or foure foot in length, and being very narrow, was full, when but seven or eight of us were in it. At the houre when Masse was to be said, the draw bridge of the Castle was lifted up, because the Catholicks of the Coun∣try who had not the exercise of their Re∣ligion should not heare it, for they were infinitely desirous to be present at the holy Sacrifice, from which for many years they were deprived, and being touched with a holy and devout desire, the inhabitants of that place found a meanes on the day of Pentecost to come into the Castle, before the bridge was drawn up, hiding them∣selves in the Chappel, where they were not discovered till Masse was almost ended, when the bridge being let down for so••e

of my people to come into the Chappell, certain Huguenots did espy them, and complained of them to Le Pin, who was Secretary to the King my Husband, this fellow infinitely did possesse his Master, and had great authority in his Court, and managed all the affayres for those of the Religion: Imediately he sent some of the guard, who drawing them thence, and beating them in my presence, did throw them into prison where a long time they stayed, and payed great fines; I was the more sensible of this indignity, because I expected no such matter: I complained to the King my Husband, and besought him that these poore Catholicks might be re∣leased, who deserved not that chastise∣ment, and being a long time restrained from the exercise of their Religion did now assemble themselves on my comming (the better to celebrate the day of so great a feast) to heare Masse in my Chappell; Le Pin without being called, did intrude himselfe, and without giving so much respect to his Master, as to give him leave to answer, took the word out of his mouth, and told me that I should not trouble the head of the King my Husband with that matter, for say I what I would, it never the sooner should be done, adding that

they well deserved the punishment they endured, and for my words they should speed neither the better nor the worse, that I should content my selfe that Masse was permitted to be said for me, and for those my people whom I took with me. These words did much offend me, from a man of so mean a quality; I besought the King my Husband if I were so happy to have any part in his affection, that he would let me understand that he was sensible of the indignity which I re∣ceived from that sawcy fellow, and that he would compell him to give me satis∣faction for it. The King my Husband perceiving how just my anger and discon∣tent were, caused him to goe out of my presence; telling me that he was very sor∣ry for the indiscretion of le Pin, and that he should give me what satisfaction I desired; that concerning the Catholick prisoners he would advise with his Counsellors of the Parliament of Pau, who should doe that which might comply with my request. Having said this unto me, he went into his Closet, where he found Du Pin, who after he had spoken with him, changed all again; so that fearing I would request him to dishonour Le Pin out of his service, he shunned my presence, and dissembling

with me deferred what he promised. In the end seeing I grew resolute, that he should abandon either Le Pin or my selfe, which of us he pleased, all those that were present, and who all hated Le Pin, said unto him, that he ought not to discontent me for so poore a fellow, that had so arro∣gantly offended me, that if it should be brought to the eare and knowledge of the King, and Queen my Mother, they would take it very ill that he still did entertaine him. These words did constrain him to put him away, but he ceased not to doe me evill offices, and to make me false ap∣parences, being perswaded to it, as he hath told me since, by Monsieur de Pibrac who played double with us, who told me that I ought not to suffer my self to be out∣braved by so mean a fellow as Le Pin, and that whatsoever came of it, very necessa∣ry it were, that I should put him thence; and saying to the King my Husband that there was no reason nor appearance that he should be deprived of the service of a man that was so usefull to him: Mon∣sieur de Pibrac did this to incite me on the receiving of so many and great affronts to return into France, where he was attached in his estate by the President, and one of the Counsellors of the Councell of the

King: and to make my condition yet worse, Dayella being gone, the King my Husband courted Rebours who was a ma∣litious wench that loved me not, and who did me all the bad offices which in her own behalf she could. In these afflictions ha∣ving ever my recourse to God, in the end he had pitty of my tears and permitted that we should depart from the little Geneva of Pau, where as it fell out well for me, Re∣bourse stayed sick behinde, from whom the King my Husband having removed his eyes, removed also his affection, and began to imbark himself with Fosseusa who indeed was then a delicate girle, being very young and very beautifull. As we were in our way to Monta••ban, we passed by a little Village named Eause, and were no sooner arrived there, but the King my Husband fell very sick of a violent and malignant fever accompanyed with an extream paine in his head, which lasted for the space of seventeen dayes, during which time he took no rest neither by day nor night, and continually we were remo∣ving him from one bed to another. I rend∣red my self so servicable to him, that during his extreamities I never put off my cloaths nor departed from him, insomuch that he began to take delight in my service, and

to commend it to all the world, and espe∣cially to my Consin Monsieur—who per∣forming the office of a good kinsman re∣established me as deer as ever in the favour of the King my Husband, a happinesse which lasted for the space of foure or five yeeres while I continued in Gascogny with him, making our aboad for the most part at Nerac, where our Court appeared so full of lustre, that we envied not that of France; there was Madame the Princesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Navarre, the King my Husbands Sister, who hath since been maried to Monsieur the Duke of Bar•• with my selfe and a great number of other Ladies and young Gentle∣women, and the King my husband was attended with a brave troupe of Lords and Gentlemen so richly qualified, that I have not seen more gallant personages in the Court of France, neither was there any thing in them that was reprovable, but on∣ly that they were Huguenots, but in this diversity of Religion there was heard at all no noise of controversie, or contention of words. The King my Husband and Madame▪ the Princesse his sister had re∣course in their devotion to the Sermon, and I with my traine to the Masse, which was said in a little Chappell in the Parke, from which when I came forth, we all re∣united

our selves to walke either in a ve∣ry faire garden whose allyes on each side were set with Lawrell and Cypresse trees, or in the park where were walkes of three miles in length, which I had caused to be made by the Rivers side, and the residue of our time we passed in all variety of ho∣nest pleasures, dancing being usually after dinner, and after supper. The King cour∣ted Fosseusa, who depending altogether on me, maintained her selfe with virtue and so much honour, that had she preser∣ved it, she had not faln into that misfor∣tune which reflected afterwards so much on her, and on my selfe: but fortune en∣vious of a life so happy, which was main∣tained by peace and union, in which had we continued, we might securely have con∣temned her malice, stirred up a new sub∣ject of warre betwixt the King my Hus∣band and the Catholicks, and wrought the King my Husband, and Monsieur the Marshall of Biron, who at the Huguenots request had charge of the Kings Lievte∣nant in Guyenne, to so great an enmity, that doe I what I could to keep the King my Husband and him at peace, I could not prevaile, but they grew into a great defiance, and hatred one of the other, each of them complaining to the King. The

King my Husband demanded that Monsi∣eur the Marshall of Biron should be remo∣ved from the government of Guyenne, and Monsieur the Marshall taxed my Husband and those of the pretended reformed Reli∣gion to have enterprised many things a∣gainst the treaty of the peace. The be∣ginning of this disunion did daily increase it selfe to my great griefe, being unable to redresse it, and Monsieur the Marshall of Biron perswaded the King to come himself into Guyenne, alledging that his presence would settle things in a better order, of which the Huguenots being advertised be∣leeved that the King came onely to de∣mantle and to seize upon their Towns which made them resolve to have recourse to armes: this was that which so much before I feared, and being now imbarked to run the fortune of the King my Husband and by consequence seeing my selfe to be on a side contrary to that of my Religion; I spake to the King my Husband, and to all those of his Counsell to prevent it, shewing how little advantageous to them this warre was like to prove, where they had so great a Chiefetaine to oppose them, as was Monsieur the Marshall of Biron, a great Captaine, and strongly incensed a∣gainst them, who would not make a flou∣rish

and dally with them, as others before had done, but should he command the power of the King, and imploy them with a resolution to drive them out of the Kingdome, they were not able to with∣stand him. But the feare which they had of the Kings comming into Guyenne, and their hopes of many enterprises on the greatest part of the Townes in Gascogny and Languedock prevailed so much, that although the King did doe me the honour to put great trust and confidence in me, and the chiefe of the Religion did impute much to my understanding, yet I could not perswade them to that, which a little after to their expence they found too true. The torrent uncontroul'd must run a while, which shortly after will asswage his course, when they shall come to the experience of that which I foretold them; but long before they proceeded to these termes, seeing how the affaires disposed themselves, I often besought the King and Queen my mother to provide a remedy, by giving some content to the King my husband, but they made no reckoning of it, and it seemeth they were glad that things were brought to such a passe, being perswaded by the Marshall Biron, that he had found a means to reduce the Hugue∣nots

as low as he desired. This advice of mine being neglected, the grievances by degrees advanced themselves so farre, that in the end they had their recourse to armes. They of the pretended reformed Religion were much discontented, be∣cause they failed in their forces which they thought to have assembled, the army of the King my Husband being in number farre inferiour to that of the Marshall Bi∣ron, especially all their enterprises having miscarried, unlesse that onely on Cabors, which they tooke with Petards, with the losse of many Souldiers, by reason that Monsieur de Vezins was there, who fought with them for the space of two or three dayes, and who, with them, street after street, and house after house did dispute it out unto the last; where the King my hus∣band made apparent both his wisdom, and his valour, not as a Prince of his quality, but as a brave and couragious Captain. The taking of this Towne did rather in∣dammage, then advantage them. The Marshall of Biron finding his opportunity, took to the field, seizing on, and plunde∣ring all the little Townes which held for the Huguenots, and putting all to the edge of the sword. On the beginning of this warre, seeing the honour which the King

my husband did expresse unto me, com∣manded me not to abandon him; I resolved with my self to run his fortune, not with∣out an extream griefe to finde the motive of the warre was such, that I could not wish the advantage of the one side, or the other, without desiring it to my owne dammage; for if the Huguenots had the better, that would be the Ruine of the Ca∣tholick Religion, the preservation where∣of I preferred to my owne life, and if the Catholicks should win upon the Hugue∣nots, I saw the ruine of the King my hus∣band; neverthelesse my duty command∣ing me to stay with him; and retained by his love, and the confidence which he re∣posed in me▪ I wrote unto the King and Queen my mother of the estate wherein I saw that Countrey, to have them advise of those affaires, which I found they did too much neglect: I besought them, that if in consideration of me, they would not so much obliege me as to extinguish those flames, in the midst whereof I saw my self exposed, that at least they would be plea∣sed to command Monsieur the Marshall of Biron, that the Towne wherein I made my abode, should be held in neutrality, and that within three miles of it there no ho∣stilitie should be practised, and that I

should obtaine as much of the King my husband, for those of his Religion. The King did grant me this, provided that the king my husband should not be in Nerac, but if he were, that then the neutrality should no longer be in force. This con∣dition was observed on both sides, with as much respect as could be desired, but it could not withhold the king from com∣ming often to Nerac, where Madame his sister and my selfe were resident; it being his Nature to delight himselfe in the com∣pany of Ladies, and he was at that time ex∣treamely inamoured on Fosseusa, whom he served ever since he forsooke Rebours, and from whom I received no bad office, and for this cause the king my husband did live with me in as much privacy and fami∣liarity, as heretofore, seeing that I desired nothing more then his content in all things; These considerations having brought him one day to Nerac, he stayed there three dayes after being unable to de∣part from a company so delightfull to him. The Marshall of Biron, who watch∣ed for such an opportunitie, being ac∣quainted with it, made as though he brought his army that way, to joyn with Monsieur de Cornusson the Senescall of Tholouse, on his passage over the river,

who brought more forces to him, and in stead of marching toward the river, he tur∣ned upon Nerac, and about nine of the clock in the morning, he presented himself with all his army in battell array, within a Canons shot of the towne; The King my husband (who received advertisement the night before of the comming of Cor∣nusson, desiring to hinder them from joyn∣ing their armies into one body) determi∣ned to fight with them apart, and was gone that morning on break of day to in∣counter with them on the passage over the river; but being deceived in his intelli∣gence, for Monsieur de Cornusson passed over the river the night before, he retur∣ned to Nerac, and as he entred in at one gate, he understood that the Marshall of Biron stood in battell array before the o∣ther; It was that day very stormy weather, and there fell so much raine, that the Har∣quebuses could doe no service. Neverthe∣lesse the King my husband cast some of his troupes amongst the Vines, to keepe the Marshall of Biron from approaching neerer, having not the meanes, by reason of the extreame raine which continued all that day to doe any other feare of warre. The Marshall of Biron stood all the while in battell array before our eyes, and dis∣banding

onely three or foure of his com∣pany, who demanded in way of turnament to try their lances for the love of the La∣dies, he kept his army intire, covering his artillery till he was ready to discharge, and on a sudden, making his troupes give way, and cleave asunder, he thundered against the Towne with seven or eight volleys of Canon shot, whereof one of the bullets latched on the Castle, and having made this shot, he marched thence, sending a Trumpet to me to excuse himself, and to assure me, that had I been alone, he would not for all the world have attempted it, but I knew, he said, that it was articled in the neutrality concluded by the King, that if the King my husband should be at Ne∣rac, the neutrality should then be void, and that he had commandment from the King, to make warre upon the King my husband, in whatsoever place he found him. In all other actions, Monsieur the Marshall of Biron had rendred great re∣spect, and expressed himselfe a friend unto me; for my letters being fallen in the time of the warre into his hands, he sent them safe, and fast sealed to me, and whosoever spake on my behalfe, received from him honour and good entreaty. I made reply unto his Trumpet, that I knew indeed that

Monsieur the Marshall had done no more then what pertained to the warre, and to the Kings commandment; but a man of his wisedome might well have satisfied both the one and the other, without offending his friends, that he might well have given me leave for those three dayes to take pleasure in the contentment I received to see the King my husband at Nerac, that he could not take him in my presence, but he must seize on me also, that I was highly offended at what he had done, and would complaine unto the King. The warre after this continued a certaine time, those of the Religion having always the worse, which did much assist me to prepare my husband, and dispose him to a peace. I wrote often to the King and the Queen my mother concerning it, but they would not understand me, trusting to the good fortune which as yet accompanied Mon∣sieur the Marshall of Biron.

In the same time that this warre began, the Towne of Cambray (which since my departure out of France, was brought un∣der the obedience of my Brother, by the means of Monsieur de Ainsi, of whom I have spoken heretofore) was besieged by the Spanish forces, of which my Brother was advertised, being then at his house at

Plossis les Tours, and was newly returned from Flanders, where he had received the Townes of Montz, Valenciennes, and some others, which were under the govern∣ment of the Count of Lalain, who com∣plyed with my Brother, causing him to be acknowledged for their Soveraigne in all the Countreys of his authoritie. My bro∣ther defiring to releeve it, had made a sud∣den presse for Souldiers, intending with all speed to march downe with his army to raise the siege; and because it could not so soon be ready, he put Monsieur Bala∣ny into the Towne, to sustaine the seige, expecting the comming of the Army to re∣lieve the Towne: As he was on these preparations, and began to draw his for∣ces together, the warre with the Hugue∣nots did interpose it selfe, which caused him to disband his troupes, to inroll them∣selves in the army of the King, which was marching into Gascogny. This tooke from my brother all the hope to releeve Cambray, which he could not loose, but he must loose with it not only all the rest of the Countrey, which he had conque∣red, but what most grieved him, Monsieur de Balany also, and all those good Souldi∣ers which he had put into Cambray. This displeasure sate deepe within him, and be∣ing

a Prince of great judgement, and who never fayled of expedients in his necessi∣ties, he perceived that the only remedy he had, was to pacifie France, and having a courage that found nothing difficult, he undertooke to conclude a peace, and sud∣denly dispatched a Gentleman to the King to perswade him to it, and to beseech him to give him the charge to mediate the peace: this he did, fearing that those to whom it should have been committed, would be so tedious in the execution of their charge, that he should loose the means and opportunitie to releeve Cam∣bray, from whence Monsieur Balany, who had already endured the fury of the siege, sent my Brother word, that he would give him sixe Moneths leisure to bring down his succours, but if at that time the Seige were not raysed; the necessitie and want of victualls would be such, that he should not have the meanes to restraine the Inha∣bitants from surrendring the Towne. God so blessed my brother in the designe he had to perswade the king unto the peace, that he gave consent unto it, and was glad that my Brother offered himselfe to bring it to effect, hoping by this means to divert him from his enterprise in Flanders, to which he never was affected: He gave my

brother the Commission to treate it, and conclude it, exhorting my Brother for his assistance in it, to send for the Lords of Villeroy, and Bellieure: this Commission was wrought so happily by my brother, that comming into Gascogny (howsoever he stayed seven Moneths in the effecting of it, which time seemed to him as long againe, because of the labouring desire which he had to hasten to the succour of Cambray, although the content which he received that I was with him, did much abate the eagernesse of that care) yet he made a peace to the content of the king and all the Catholicks, leaving the king my hus∣band and the Huguenots no lesse satisfied, having proceeded in it with so much wise∣dome, that he was beloved, and praysed of all, having also in this voyage wonne the love of that great Captaine, the Marshall of Biron, who did there vow himself his servant, to receive the charge of his army, which was going into Flanders, whom (to please the King my husband) my Brother removed from his government of Gascog∣ny, and put in his place Monsieur the Mar∣shall of Matignon; but before my Bro∣ther did depart, he did desire that accor∣dance might be made betwixt the King my husband, and Monsieur the Marshall

of Biron, who at the first sight made me sa∣tisfaction by an honest excuse, of that which passed at Nerac. I was enjoyned to out-brave him for it with all the sharpest and most disdainful language that I could; but I used the passionate command of my brother with such discretion, as was requi∣site to his affaires, knowing that the day might come wherein he might much rely on the assistance of so brave a Souldier. My brother returning into France, attended with Monsieur the Marshall of Biron, re∣reived no lesse honour and just glory for pacifying so great a trouble to the con∣tent of all, then in the many victories he atchieved by armes, and made his army more great and powerfull; but what hap∣pinesse and glory is not attended with en∣vie? The King taking no pleasure in it, and in the sixe or seven moneths time, while my brother and my self were both together a treating of the peace in Gascog∣ny, having had the leisure to finde an ob∣ject for his anger, conceived that I had made that warre, and driven the King my husband to it (who well can witnesse the contrary) that my Brother might enjoy the honour of making the peace, which if it had depended on me, it had been done with more speed, and lesse paines, for his

affaires in Flanders and Cambray, received great disadvantage by this delay. But alas envie and hate doe blinde our eyes, and make us not to see things, as indeed they are. The King building on this false foundation a mortall hatred against my Brother, and reviving in himself the re∣membrance of what was passed, how when he was in Poland, and since his re∣turn from thence, I ever had preferred my Brothers contentment and affaires above his owne, joyning altogether at once, did vow my ruine and my Brothers; In which Fortune favoured his resolution, causing in the seven moneths space that my bro∣ther was in Gascogny, the unhappinesse to be such, that he fell in love with Fosseusa, to whom the King my husband was a ser∣vant ever since he forsooke Rebours: this being discovered, the King my husband was offended with me, beleeving that I did good offices for my brother, to with∣draw the affection of Fosseusa from him; this I no sooner understood, but I be∣sought so much my Brother in my behalf, presenting to him what miserie might en∣sue to me by it, that he who affected my contentment above his owne, in this did force his passion, and spake no more unto her. Having on this side found redresse,

Fortune, who when once shee beginneth to pursue, retireth never at the first coun∣ter-blow, prepared a new attempt more dangerous then the former, causing Fos∣seusa, who extreamly loved the King my husband, and who till then permitted him no other privacies, then what the honesty of a familiar love might well enjoy, to take from him all jealous thoughts which he had of my Brother, and to make him un∣derstand that she did love him alone, did so abandon her self to content him in all things, that the mischiefe grew so great, that she was with Childe, and perceiving her self in this estate, she changed all the manner of her proceedings with me, and in stead of her accustomed method, of be∣ing free and open, and of doing me all the good offices she could, to indeere me the more to the king my husband, she began now to conceale her self from me, and to render me as many bad offices, as hereto∣fore she had done me good ones: She pos∣sessed so the king my husband, that in a lit∣tle time, I found a great alteration; he e∣stranged, he conceal'd himself from me, and took not that delight and pleasure in my company, as he had done for those foure or five happy yeers while we were in Gascogny, and when Fosseusa governed her

selfe with honour. The peace being con∣cluded, my Brother returning into France, as I have said, to levie his Army, the King my husband, and my selfe returned to Nerac, where as soone as we were arri∣ved, Fosseusa, either to finde a coverture for her great belly, or to unburden her self of what she had, did put it into the Kings head, to goe to the hot waters that are in Bearn. I besought the King my husband to excuse me, if I accompanied him not, for he knew that since the indignitie I recei∣ved at Pau, I had made a vow that I would never returne till there they had free ex∣ercise of the Catholick Religion, with great importunity he pressed me to goe, and was very angry at the excuses which I made; In the end he told me, that his Girle (for so he called Fosseusa) had oc∣casion to take those waters for the evill of her stomacke; I made answere that I was well content that she should goe without me, and that it would make the world thinke evill of her, there being no reason for it: In the end I so prevailed, that he was content to goe with her, taking two of her companions, which were Rebours and Villesavin, with their governesse. They departed thence, and I stayed behinde at Baviere: I had every day intelligence

from Rebours, who was she whom the King heretofore had loved, and who was a corrupt and double-hearted wench, and desired nothing more then to turne Fosseu∣sa out of favour, hoping to possesse againe her place in the affection of the King my husband, that Fosseusa did me all the bad offices in the world, speaking of me re∣proachfull and disdainfull words, and perswading her selfe, if she had a Sonne, and could get cleere of me, that she should be married to the king my husband, who returning from Baveire, was resolved to goe to Pau, and to take me with him, whether I would or no: These advertise∣ments did much afflict me; neverthelesse having my confidence in the mercy of God, and the goodnesse of the king my husband, I passed the time of my abode at Baveire, in expecting him, and in powring out as many teares, as they dranke drops of water where they were, although the Catholick Nobility of that Country, with whom I was accompanied, tooke all the paines they could to make me forget my afflictions. At the end of five weeeks, the king my husband returning with Fosseusa, and her other companions, understood by some of the Lords who were with me, what sorrows I endured, for feare of going

unto the Pau, which was the cause he no more strongly importuned me, but onely told me, he had a desire that I should goe, but seeing my teares and words did joynt∣ly witnesse unto him, that I had rather goe unto my grave, he changed his resolution, and returned to Nerac; where seeing all spake of Fosseusaes bignesse, and that it was not onely all the talke at Court, but in the Countrey also, I took upon me to silence the report, and calling her into my closet, spake thus unto her: Although some time is passed since you have estranged your self from me, and I have been induced to be∣leeve that you have done me bad offices to the king my husband, yet the love which I have borne unto you, and which I have vowed to persons of honor, to whom you appertaine, doth enjoyne me to offer you all succour that may releeve you in the mishap whereinto you are fallen: I must in∣treat you that you would not be perverse, nor by refusing my love, to ruine both my honour and your owne; I have so much interest in your reputation, that it is as deere to me as to your self, and beleeve me, I will performe the office of a mother to you: Under the pretence of Pestilence, which you see to be raging in this Coun∣trey, and especially in this Towne, I have

the opportunity to remove to Mas de Age∣nois, which is a private and retired mansi∣on of the King my husbands: I will take with me no other traine, then whom you desire. In the meane time the King my husband shall spend his time in hunting, and shal not stir from thence until you are delivered, and by this means, we may make the rumour cease which concerneth my self as much as you: she in stead of giving me thanks, with an extreame arrogance replyed, that she would make those know they lyed, that reported it, and speaking as lowd to me, as I spake soft to her, in a great choler she flung away, and sent the King my husband to me, who was very angry for what I had spoken to Fosseusa, saying that they were liars all, and that he would prove them so that taxed her: A long time he thus dissembled it with me, untill certaine moneths being expired, the houre of her delivery was come. Her pangs taking her in the morning about the break of day, being then in bed, in that chamber▪ where all the Virgins lay, that attended on me, she sent for my Physitian to come unto her, and desired him to make haste to acquaint the King my husband with it, which he did; We lay in one cham∣ber, but in severall beds, as our usuall man∣ner

was, As the Physitian told him this, he found himselfe in a great perplexity, not knowing what to doe, fearing on the one side that it should be discovered, and on the other side, that she should be ill at en∣ded, for he loved her intirely. In the end he resolved to acquaint me with it, know∣ing that although she highly had trespas∣sed against me, yet he should finde me rea∣dy to doe him any service he commanded; he opened my curtaine, and said unto me, Sweet heart I have concealed a thing from you, which is necessary that I now discover; I beseech you to excuse me, and to remember no more what I have told you on that Subject; only oblige me now so farre, as presently to rise, and make haste unto Fosseusaes succour, who is very ill, I assure my self, that knowing in what estate she is, you will not call any thing to minde which heretofore hath passed; You know how well I love her; in this I beseech you to obliege me to you: I replyed to him, that I honoured him too much, to take of∣fence at any thing which did proceed from him, and intreated him that he would be pleased to hunt that day, and take all his people with him, that it might not be dis∣covered. I caused her presently to be re∣moved from the chamber of the Maides,

and lodged her in a retired roome, and brought with me my Phisitian, and some trusty women to attend her, where very safely she was delivered. It pleased God to send her a daughter, which since is dead▪ being delivered, we brought her back to the chamber of the Maides, where though we carried it with all privacy and discre∣tion, we could not hinder the report from being spread over all the Castle. The King my husband being returned from hunting, made haste to see her. She desi∣red him that I might come unto her, as my manner was, to visite all my young wo∣men when they were not well, hoping by this meanes to stop the busie rumour that ranne of her. The King my husband came forthwith into my chamber, and found me lying on my bed, being very weary with my early rising, and with the paines I took to assist Fosseusa in her childing throwes, and desired me that I would rise, and goe unto her: I made answere, that when she had need of my helpe, I was not absent, but seeing there was nothing to be done, if I should goe, I should discover rather then conceale the businesse, and that every finger did point at me already. At this word he grew very angry, and what most did grieve me, me thought that what I had

done that morning did not deserve that re∣compence. While thus passed the occur∣rences of our affaires, the King, who was not ignorant of any thing that was done in the houses of the Great ones of his king∣dome, and who was precisely curious to know the deportments of our Court, did cause the Queen my Mother to write unto me, that she had a great desire to see me, that it was too much for five or sixe yeeres to be removed from her, that it was now time to take a journey un∣to Court, and that it should much con∣duce to the affaires of the King my hus∣band, and my owne: The King himself did afterwards write unto me to the same effect, and caused fifteen hundred Crowns to be delivered to me that no inconveni∣ence might delay me, and the Queene my Mother sent me word, that she would come her selfe into Xantoigne, and if the King my husband would accompany me thither, she had some businesse there to communicate unto him, and to give him the assurance of the Kings good will. All these faire apparences could not deceive me in the fruits which were to be expected from the Court, having had already too much experience of it, but I resolved to receive some profit by

these offers, to advance my own occasions, and the affaires of the King my husband, hoping also it would prove a means to di∣vert him from Fosseusaes love, whom I de∣termined to take along with me, and that the King my husband seeing her no more, might possibly imbarke himself with some one else that might not prove so crosse and spitefull to me. I had much to doe to per∣swade the King my husband to give con∣sent unto this journey, because it grieved him to loose the company of Fosseusa, and because the fame of her late mischance be∣ing every where noised abroad, he joyntly began to suffer in his reputation with her. He made me better cheere then ordinary, and laboured very much to take from me the desire of going into France. But ha∣ving already made promise by my letters to the King and Queen my mother, and more especially having received the sum abovesaid for the voyage, the misfortune which drew me thence, took away with it againe the desire which I had to goe, be∣cause the King my husband did begin to expresse more friendship and affection to mee.

FINIS.