Matchlesse crueltie declared at large in the ensuing history of the Waldenses apparently manifesting unto the world the horrible persecutions which they have suffered by the papists, for the space of four hundred and fifty years : wherein is related their original and beginning, their piety and purity in religion, both for doctrine and discipline : likewise hereunto is added an exact narrative of the late bloody and barbarous massacres, murders and other unheard of cruelties committed on many thousands of the Protestants dwelling in the valleys of Piedmont, &c. by the Duke of Savoy's forces, joyned with the French army and several bloody Irish regiments / published by command of His Highness the Lord Protector.

Andreas Galstaldus, Doctor in Law, Conservator and ordinary Auditor, sitting in the Honourable Chamber of accounts of his Royall Highnesse, and Generall Conservator of the holy Faith, appointed to put in execution all orders which are publish∣ed against the pretended Reformed Religion, in the Valleys of Lucerne, Perouse, and St. Martin, and particularly appointed by his said Highnesse for this speciall businesse.

ACcording to the power given us by his High∣nesse, by his Letters dispatched to us in due form, signed Violetta, and sealed, bearing date of the thirteenth of this Month; and in performance of the instructions given us, as also at the instance made to us by Master Barth lomew Ga∣staldus, intervening in the behalfe of the Royall Exche∣quer; we ordain and command the first Sergeant or Bailiffe sworn to make command and injunction to all the heads of Families, and to each particular of the pretended Reform∣ed Religion, of whatsoever estate, condition and degree, no inhabitant excepted, possessing any goods in the terri∣tories of Lucerne, Lucernette, Saint John, la Tour, Bobiane, Fenill, Campiglion, Bricheras, and St. Seeond, within three daies next after the publication hereof, to relinquish and abandon with their Families the said places, and to tran∣sport themselves into those places and limits which by the good pleasure of his Royall Highnesse are prescribed unto them, viz. Bobiane, the valley of Angrogne, Rorata, and Country of Bonetti, under pain of life, and confiscation of their houses, possessous, and goods which are extant

without the said limits, in case they cannot within twentie daies make proofe before us that they are Catholiques, or that they have sold their estates unto some Catholiques: His Royall Highnesse declaring, that it was never his design, nor of his Royall Predecessours, by any act done or to be done, nor his intention, much lesse his will, to en∣large their bounds; and that if any thing hath been done or published to the contrary, it was both against his own orders, or those of his Magistrates, but a meer usur∣pation against the disposition of those Acts, as it is manifest; and therefore the transgressours have undergone the penal∣ties mentioned in his Declarations: Besides that, his High∣nesse doth intend, that in all those places, and each of them, where they are lovingly tolerated, the sacrifice of the holy Masse be celebrated; Prohibiting all subjects of the pretended Reformed Religion, to give any molestation in deeds or words, to the Fathers Missionaries, and those that officiate under them, much lesse to disturb or divertany of the pretended Reformed Religion from turning Catho∣liques, under pain of death; Charging, and particularly commanding each particular Minister of the pretended Re∣formed Religion, to see the forementioned injunctions inviolably observed, as they will answer it at their utmost perills; Declaring his intention to be, that the execution hereof be done by posting or fixing Copies of these presents, which shall be at the like value, as if they had been made and intimated to each in particular.

Given at Lucerne, the 25^th. of January, 1655.

Andrew Galstaldus Commissioner.