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.

CHAP. III.

Of the Waldensian Churches in Dauphine, and the per∣secutions which they haue suffered, which are come to our knowledge.

THe Waldensian Churches in Dauphine, haue been for these many hundred yeeres spread abroad throughout diuers parts of the Prouince. For they haue had Chur∣ches in Valentia, where at this present there are places, wherin times out of mind, the faith of the Waldēses hath been receiued from the father to the sonne, as the place des Faulques, and Beauregard in Valentia, and La Baulme neere Crest; out of which places there are come to our hands certaine proces against some particular persons of the same places, for being accused by the Inqui∣sitors as adhearing to the faith of the Waldenses aboue three hundred yeeres since. But the more famous Churches of the saide Prouince, are those of the Valley of Fraissiniere, neere Ambrun, of Ar∣genterie, of the Valley Loyse, which for the VVal∣denses sakes was called Val lute, as if there had been nothing in the said Valley but a Brothel-house, and re∣ceptacle of all manner of dissolute liuing and villany. This was vtterly rooted out. On the other side of the Alpes, there is a valley called the Valley of Pragela, where they haue inhabited time out of minde. A Valley that is in the iurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of Turin, peopled euen at this present with those that are descended from the first Waldenses, of whom men∣tion

hath been made heretofore. They were the in∣habitants of this Valley that peopled the Waldensian Valleies of Piedmont, La Perouse, Saint Martin, Angrongne and others; as also those of the Walden∣ses inhabited in Prouence, and Calabria, are come out of those places of Dauphine, and Piedmont. In said Valley of Pragela, there are at this day, six goodly Chur∣ches, euery one hauing their Pastor, and euerie Pastor hauing diuers villages, which belong to e∣uery one of these Churches, all filled with those that haue descended from the ancient VValdenses. They are Churches truely reformed time out of minde. For although in the said Valley, there are at this present old people, and not a small num∣ber that draw neere, yea and some that are aboue a hundred yeere old, yet these good old men, haue ne∣uer heard of their fathers, or grand-fathers, that masse was euer sung in their times in that Country. And though perhaps the Arch-bishops of Turin, haue caused it to be song in the said Valley, whereof the inhabi∣tants haue had no knowledge, yet there is not any a∣mongst them, that makes profession of any other faith or beleefe, then that the confession whereof we haue heard in the former booke.

For all those bookes before mentioned, haue bin re∣ceiued by the Inhabitants of the said valley, which hath been in times past, one of the safest retiring pla∣ces that the Waldenses had in all Europe, enuironed on all sides with mountaines almost vnaccressable, within the caues whereof they retired themselues in times of persecution.

Le Sieur de Vignaux who was one of the first Pa∣stors that preached to his people, long before

the exercise of the reformed Religion was free in France, could not satisfie himselfe with the liberall speech, integrity, and piety of these people, whom he found altogether disposed to receiue the dispensa∣tion of the word of God, which their fore-fathers had cherished, and in which they had instructed their posterity. And it was worthy the obseruation, that notwithstanding they were weakned on all sides, and enuironed with the enemies of their Religion, in dan∣ger to be apprehended when they went out of their dores, yet was there neuer any worldly respect that had power to alter their holy resolution, from the father to the sonne to serue God, taking his word for the rule of their faith, and his law for the rule of their obedience. And in this designe it was, that they haue been blessed of God, aboue all Christian people throughout Europe, insomuch that their infants were hardly weaned from their mothers breast, but their pa∣rents tooke a singular delight to instruct them in the Christian faith and doctrine, vntill they were able to confound many persons dwelling elswhere well stroo∣ken in yeeres, and ouerwhelmed with ignorance.

To this passe their Pastors brought them, who not being content to giue them exhortations vpon the Sabboth daies, went also in the weeke-daies to in∣struct them, in the villages and hamlets thereabouts, not sparing themselues for the roughnes of the rockes, the coldnesse of the ayre, the inciuility of the coun∣try, where they were faine to clime vp high mountains to visit their flocke, and to carry vnto them the foode of their soules; euen at those times when the people in the heat of summer were keeping their cattell vpon the high rockes, and there they many times teach and in∣struct

them in the open fields. There you may see those that heare the word of God with attention and reuerence: There is discipline exercised with fruit; There the people pray with feruency of zeale, at their retaine from their labors, at night when they go toe their rest, & in the morning before they vndertake any worke; First in their priuate houses, then in the Tem∣ple they begge the assistance of the Lord in all their actions, thoughts, words, and deeds, and so betake themselues to their labours, vnder the protection of the liuing God, whom they loue, and honour and adore. There you may descry more zeale, and more simplicity, then in many other places, that abound in the delights and pleasures of this world; neither are they so rude and blockish, but that they haue diuers a∣mongst them that can reade, and deliuer their mindes in good tearmes, especially they that trauell some∣times into the lower Countries for their commodi∣ties; they haue Schooles wherein their children are taught and nurtured, neither doe they want any thing they thinke necessary to aduance the glory of God amongst them.

The first persecution that is come to our know∣ledge, was that, which was moued by a certain Monke Inquisitor of the Order of the Frier-Minors, named Francis Borelli, hauing a Commission in the yeere 1380, to make inquiry and to informe touching the Sect of the Waldenses, in the Dioces of Aix, Arles, Ambrun, Vienna, Geneua, Aubonne, Sauoy, the Ve∣netian County, Dyois, Forests, the Principality of Orenge, the Citty of Anignon and Selon, as his Bull gaue him authority, which he receiued from Clement the seuenth, who then was Resident and ruled in

Anignon. By reason of the neerenes of his Court to the habitation of the Waldenses; hee thought good to purge Dauphine, of those that held him to bee Anti∣christ; and for this cause he commanded the Bishops of Dauphine, Prouence, and other places, to which his power did extend (for there was then a schisme, and all Europe was diuided, partly for Vrbani the sixt, and partly for this said Clement) to watch in such sort ouer their flockes, that there might not any liue amongst them that was of the Sect of the Waldenses.

This Monke cited to appeare before hin at Ambrun, all the inhabitants of Erassiniere, Argentiere, and the valley Pute, vpon paine of excommunication. They appeared not, nor any for them, & were therefore con∣demned for their contumacy, and in the end shut out of the Church, by the last and most direfull excom∣munication of offenders: and in the space of thirteene yeeres, during which time he alwaies caught one or other, he deliuered by sentence to the secular power to be burnt at Grenoble; that is to say, of the valley Pute, William Marie of Vilar, Peter Long, alias Chastan; Iohn Long, alias Truchi, Albert Vincens, Ioane the wife of Steuen Vincens, and diuers others; that is to say, to the number of one hundred and fifty men, diuers women, with many of their sonnes and daughters well strooken in yeeres, whose names we haue not heere inserted be∣cause we would not grieue and weary the Reader.

Of the Valley of Argentiere and Frassinieres, Astine Berarde, Barthelemie the wife of Iohn Porti, and others of both sexes, to the number of eighty, who were all condemned to be deliuered to the secular power; in such sort, that whensoeuer any one of them was ap∣prehended, he was presently brought to Grenoble, and

there without any other shew of proces, burnt aliue.

This last sentence was pronounced at Ambrun in the Cathedrall Church, in the yeere one thousand three hundred ninty three, to the great gaine and com∣modity of the Monkes the Inquisitors, who adiudged to themselues two parts of the goods of the said con∣demned, and the rest to the temporall commanders, with inhibition to their bordering neighbours, to as∣sist them in any manner howsoeuer, to receiue them, visit, defend them, or to minister reliefe or sustenance to any of them, or to conuerse with them in any sort, or to doe them any fauour, or giue them any aide or counsell, vpon paine to be attainded and conuinced for a fauourer of Heretickes, they being declared vnwor∣thy of all offices, and publicke charges and counsels; forbidding euery man to vse the seruice of any of them in matter of testimony, they themselues being iudged vnsufficient to make a will, or to succeed in any inheritance. And if any of them should bee iud∣ges, that their sentences should be of no force, and no causes should be called before them. And if any of them be Aduocates, that their defences and pleas bee not receiued; if Notaries, that their instruments be of no effect, but cancelled and defaced; If Priests, that they be depriued of all offices and benefices, with inhibition to all Ecclesiasticall persons, to minister the Sacrament vnto them, to giue them sepulture, or to receiue from them any almes or oblations, vpon paine of deposition from charges, and depriuation of their Benefices.

This Monke reserued to himselfe, by the said sen∣tence, the reuiew and examination of the proces of some dosen that he named therein; and they were those which he would willingly haue to passe by the

golden gate. For in the proces that are come to our hands, there are many that complaine, that they had neuer been entangled in the snares of the Inquisitors, but for their goods; beeing well knowne that they neuer had any knowledge of the Beleefe of Wal∣denses.

As touching the Waldenses of the valley of Pragela, they were assayled by their enemies vpon the side of Susa a towne in Piedmont, [ 1400] about the yeere a thousand foure hundred: and forasmuch as they had many times assaulted them in vaine, at such times as they could retire themselues into the high mountaines, and caues or hollow places thereof, from whence they might much indamage, and hinder those that came to assaile them, the said enemies set vpon them, about the Feast of the Natiuity of Christ, a time when these poore people neuer thought, that any would haue durst to haue past the mountaines being couered with snow, who seeing their caues and cauerns taken by their ene∣mies, they betooke themselues to one of the highest mountaines of the Alpes, named afterward the Alber∣gam, that is to say, the mountaine of retrait, and running together in troopes with their wiues and chil∣dren, the mothers carrying their cradles, and leading their infants by the hand, that were able to goe, the enemy followed them vntill night, and slew many before they could recouer the mountaine. They that were then slaine had the better bargaine. For night comming vpon these poore people which were in the snow, without any meanes to make any fire to warme their little infants, the greatest part of them were be∣nūmed with cold, & there were found in the morning fourescore small infants dead in their cradles, and

most of their mothers mothers died after them, and di∣uers others were giuing vp the last gaspe.

The enemies being retired in the night, into the houses of these poore people, they ransacked and pillaged whatsoeuer they could carry to Susa, and for the full accomplishment of their cruelty, they hanged vpon a tree a poore Waldensian woman, whom they met vpon the mountaine de Meane, named Margaret Athode.

The Inhabitants of the said Valley, hold this perse∣cution to be the most violent, that their fathers haue related vnto them, that in their times or the times of their grand-fathers they haue euer suffred; and they talke of it at this present, as if it were a thing lately done, and fresh in memory; so often from the fa∣ther to the sonne, hath mention been made of this vn∣expected surprise, the cause of so many miseries a∣mongst them.

Now in the meane while, the Waldenses of the valley Frassiniere, that remained and had escaped this afore∣said persecution, were againe violently handled by the Archbishop of Ambrun their neighbour in the yeere 1460, that is, [ 1460] in the time of Pope Pius the se∣cond of that name, and of Lewis the eleuenth King of France.

This Arch-bishop named Iohn, made a Commis∣sioner against the said Waldenses, a certaine Monke of the order of the Frier-Minors, called Iohn Vayleti, who proceeded with such diligence and violence, that there was hardly any person in the vallies of Frassi∣niere, Argentiere, and Loyse, that could escape the hands of the said Inquisitor, but that they were appre∣hended either as Heretickes, or fauourers of them.

They therefore that knew nothing of the beleefe of the Waldenses, had recourse vnto King Lewis the eleuenth, humbly beseeching him, to stay by his au∣thority the course of such persecutions. The King granted vnto them his letters, the which wee haue in this place thought good to insert at large, because by them it shall be easie to know what the will and de∣sire of the said Monkes was, who intangled in their proces many of the Romish religion, vnder colour of the Inquisition against the Waldenses.

The Letters of King Lewis the eleuenth.

Lewis by the grace of God, King of France, Dauphin de Vienois, Conte de Valentinois, and Dioys; to our well-belo∣ued and faithfull Gouernour of our Coun∣try of Dauphine, health and dilection.

TOuching that part of the Inhabitants of the val∣ley Loyse, Frassiniere, Argentiere, and others of our Country of Dauphine, it hath been certified, that notwithstanding they haue liued, and are desi∣rous to liue as becommeth good Christian Catholikes, without holding, or beleeuing, or maintaining any su∣perstitious points, but according to the ordinance and discipline of our mother the holy Church; yet

neuerthelesse, some religious Mandians, who call themselues the Inquisitors of the faith, and others thinking by vexations and troubles, to extort from them their goods, and otherwise to molest them in their persons, haue been desirous, and still are, to lay false imputations vpon them, that they hold and beleeue certaine Heresies and superstitions against the Catholike faith; and vnder this collour, haue and still doe vex and trouble them with strange inuolu∣tions of proces, both in our Court of Parliament in Dauphine, and in diuers other Countries and iuris∣dictions.

And to come to the confiscation of the goods of those whom they charge with the same offence, many of the Iudges, yea, and the said Inquisitors of the faith themselues, being cōmonly religious Mandians, vnder the shadow of the office of Inquisitors, haue sent, and euery day do send forth proces against those poore peo∣ple, without reasonable cause; putting some of them to the racke, and calling them in question without any precedent information, and condemning them for matters whereof they were neuer culpable, as hath bin afterwards found, and of some, to set them at liber∣ty, haue taken, and exacted great summes of money, and by diuers meanes haue vniustly vexed and trou∣bled them, to the great preiudice and hinderance, not

onely of the said Suppliants, but of Vs and the Weale-publicke, of our Country of Dauphine.

Wee therefore being willing to prouide against this mischiefe, and not to suffer Our poor people to be vex∣ed and troubled by such wrongfull proceedings, especi∣ally the Inhabitants of the said places affirming, that they haue alwates liued, and will liue, as becommeth good Christians, and Catholikes, not hauing euer be∣leeued, nor held other beleefe, then that of our mother the holy Church, nor maintained, nor will maintaine, or beleeue any thing to the contrary, and that it is against all reason, that any man should be condemned of the crime of Heresie, but onely they, that with ob∣durate obstinacy wil stubbornly maintain and affirme things contrary to the sincerity of our faith. Wee haue by great and mature deliberation, and to meet with such fraudes and abuses, vniust vexations and exactions granted to the said Suppliants, and doe grant, and of our certain knowledge, and speciall con∣sent, full power and authority royall, & Delphi∣nale; VVe haue willed and ordained, and doe will and ordaine by these Presents; that the said Suppliants, and all others of our Country of Dauphine, be freed from their courts and proces, and whatsoeuer proces any of them shall haue sent forth, for the causes aboue mentioned; We haue of our certaine knowledge, full

power and authority royall and Delphinale, aboli∣shed, and doe abolish, made, and doe make of none effect by these Presents, and we will that from all times past vnto this day, there be nothing demanded of them, or wrong offered, either in body or goods, or good name. Except neuertheles there bee any, that will obsti∣nately and out of a hardned heart, maintaine and affirme any thing against the holy Catholike faith.

Moreouer, we haue willed and ordained, and doe will and ordaine, that the goods of the said Inhabi∣tants Suppliants, and all other of our Country of Dauphine, that for the causes aboue mentioned, haue been taken and exacted of any person, in any manner whatsoeuer, by execution or otherwise; shall by the ordinance or command of our Court of Parlia∣ment of Dauphine, or any other whatsoeuer, as also all bils and obligations, which they haue giuen for the causes aboue said, whether it be for the paiment of fees for the said proces or otherwise, shall againe bee restored vnto them, vnto which restitution all such shall be constrained, that haue in any thing, either by sale or spoile of their goods, moueables or vnmouea∣bles, by detention or imprisonment of their persons any way wronged them, vntill they haue restored their goods, and things aboue mentioned, and obeyed; otherwise to bee inforced by all due and resonable

meanes requisite in such a case, notwithstanding all appellations whatsoeuer, which our will is in any manner be deferred.

And because that by reason of those confiscations, which haue heen beretofore pretended, of the goods of those whom they haue charged and accused in this case, diuers more for couetousnesse, and a desire of the said confiscations, or part of them, then for iustice, doe and haue put many people in sute, and to come to the end of their confiscations, haue held diuers tearmes against iustice. VVe haue declared, and doe declare by these Presents, that we will not from hence for∣ward, for the said cause, haue any confiscations taken, leuied, or exacted, for vs, or by our Officers; and whatsoeuer right may come vnto vs, we doe acquit our selues off, and remit vnto the children or other inheritours thereof, against whomsoeuer shall pretend a right to those confiscations. As also to meet with those fraudes and abuses, offered by the said Inquisi∣tors of the faith; we haue forbid, and doe forbid, that any man suffer any of the said Inquisitors of the faith, to proceed from hence forward against any of the said Inhabitants of our country of Dauphine, nor re∣straine any of them for the cause aboue mentioned, without expresse letters from our selfe touching that matter. Moreouer we haue forbid, and doe forbid,

for the cause aforesaid and the like, any of our Iudges and Officers of our Subiects to vndertake any iurisdi∣ction or knowledge, but all causes and proces in the said case, to be sent vnto vs, and those of our grand Counsell to vs; to whom, and not vnto others, wee haue reserued the hearing and determination. Wee therefore command and directly enioyne you, that our Letters be put in execution from point to point, ac∣cording to the forme aboue said, and not other waies, as in such case is requisite. For it is our plea∣sure it should bee done; and to doe it we giue you full power and authority, and commission, and speciall commandement. We charge and command all our Iustices, Officers, Subiects, Commissioners, and De∣puties, [ 1478] to giue their assistance for the due obedience thereunto.

Giuen at Arras the 18 of May, 1578.

The Arch-bishop of Ambrun ceaseth not to pro∣ceed against the accused, yea he was much more ani∣mated then before, grounding himself vpon that clause of the aforesaid Letters; If there bee not any found re∣bellious and refractary, and that obstinately harden them∣selues in their opinions. And therefore he pretended not to doe any thing against the aforesaid Letters, be∣cause they that had obtained them, made not their appearance in iudgement, for their iustification, veri∣fying that they were neither obstinate nor rebellious. Moreouer, the Arch-bishop extorted from the one

part of the Inhabitants af Frassiniere, Argentiere, and the valley Loyse, a disclaiming of those requests pre∣sented to the King, declaring that there were no peo∣ple in Dauphine lesse free from Heresie, then they that were most forward to purge themselues before the King: He caused information againe to be made, and that which we haue obserued in the said informatiōs is, that the witnesses produced by the Arch-bishop were almost all Priests or Officers of the said Arch-bishop, as namely William Chabassal Canon of Ambrun, Fran∣cis Magnici, Priest of the valley Loyse, Rostain Payan, Curat of Saint Marcelin, Anthony Garneri Priest, Ai∣mar Raimond Chaplin, Michael Pierre, Curat of Fras∣sinieres, al which deposed, that all they that had recours vnto King Lewis the eleuenth were Waldenses. The Arch-bishop being thus strengthned, by their dis∣claime, and these witnesses, and the assertion of one Iohn Pelegrin, who was corrupted with siluer, to ac∣cuse the VValdenses of such ancient calumnies, as long since haue been laid vpon the Christians of the Pri∣matiue Church, that is, that they assembled them∣selues together in darke places, to commit whoredom, the candels being put out; he sent to the Court, to iustifie himself against those informations giuen to the King, that he pursued the Waldenses, rather to get their goods, then for any zeale hee bare to the Catholicke faith: but this onely witnes preuailed but little, against many other, who would neuer depose any thing a∣gainst their cōscience, that they had euer seen amongst the Waldenses, any thing that had but the least appea∣rance of that villany wherewith the aforesaid false witnes had charged them. Neuertheles the Arch∣bishop ceaseth not to annoy the foresaid accused to the

vttermost of his power, in such sort, that wanting meanes to defray the charge, the greatest part of them betooke themselues to flight, there being only amongst those that were persecuted, one Iames Patineri, who openly auerred the vniust vexation, to the preiu∣dice of the Letters obtained of his maiesty, and de∣manded a coppy of the proceeding, that hee might right himselfe by Law. The Arch-bishop leaues him in peace, pursuing those that wanted courage to oppose themselues against his violences. But the Con∣suls of Frassiniere, Michael Ruffi, and Iohn Girand, sped not so well: For hauing been cited to appeare before the said Arch-bishop to answere both in their owne name, and of the inhabitants of their Valley; hauing answered that they had nothing to say before the said Arch-Bishop, because their cause was then depending before the King and his Counsell, which they then openly auerred, and demanded a Coppy off: being pressed to answere, notwithstanding their protestati∣ons, and auerment to the contrary, Michael Ruffi an∣swered in his owne language, and nodding his head, Veici rages, and vpon a new instance or importunity veici vna bella raison; the Arch-bishop being strangely moued against the said Consuls for this their con∣tempt, sent them to the fire without any other Indict∣ment. But the Arch-bishop staied not long after them; for he died, and not without an euident proofe of the iustice of God, presently after the said execution. Thus ended the persecution of the said Arch-bishop, [ 1487] and his Commissioner Iohn Veileti in the yeere one thousand foure hundred eighty seuen.

Now we may obserue one notorious villany in the proces framed by this Monke Veileti: For hauing

the said proces in our hands, we found certaine bils or tickets, in which the said Commissary tooke the an∣sweres of those that were accused, simply as they were taken from their mouthes; but wee haue after∣wards found them strangly stretched and extended in the proces, and many times quite contrary to that which was in the sumptum as they call it, inuerting and altering the intention of the said accused, making him to say that which hee neuer thought of; as for example: Inquire whether hee beleeued, that af∣ter the words of the Sacrament were pronounced by the Priest in the Masse, the body of Christ was in the Hoste, in as grosse a manner and as great, as it was vpon the crosse; If the Waldenses shall answere no; Veileti sets downe the answere thus; That hee had confessed, that he beleeued not in God, or at least wise his Scribe, he dictating it. Againe, Inquire whether wee ought not to pray vnto Saints; If he answere no: they set it down, that he railed and spake ill of the Saints. Inquire whe∣ther we are to reuerence the Virgin Mary, and pray vnto her in our necessities; If hee answere no: They set it downe in writing, that he spake blasphemy against the virgin Mary. Behold here the fidelity of the said Monkes inquisitors, in an action so important, and it could not be without the great prouidence of God, that such impiety should be conserued and kept vnto this present time, that men might see with what spirit they were led, that cut the throats and burnt the faith∣full of the Church, after they had oppressed them with impostures, demanding of vs neuertheles, where these faithfull of the Church were, which they haue massacred before these times wherein we liue.

And if the Reader desire to know, how such Pro∣ces,

and Indictments are come to our hands; here hee may see againe, that it hath not been without the great prouidence of God, that they themselues that haue committed these cruelties and villanies, are they that haue kept the said papers and proces in their libraries, and places wherein their Records are laid; as namely the Arch-bishops themselues of Ambrun; Iohn and Rostain and others vntil the time that this Citty being recouered out of the hands of the Conspirators, in the yeere one thousand fiue hundred eighty fiue, [ 1585] and brought vnder the obedience of the King, by Monsieur the Mareshal de l'esdignieres; all the said proces and pro∣ceedings attempted, and intended for many hundred yeeres together, against the said Waldenses, were cast into the street, by reason that the Arch-bishops house was set on fire, by the enemies themselues, with an in∣tent to defend a tower, called Tour Brune, whether they were retired, and to cut off a Gallery of wood, by which the Arch-bishop had passage to the said Towre. The Lord de Calignon of happy memory, and whilest he liued being Chancellor of Nauarra, be∣ing there; and the Lord of Vulcon at this present, Counseller to the King in his Court of Parliament at Grenoble, they caused the said Indictments long since framed against the VValdenses to be gathered together, from whence we haue collected that which concerns the cruelties, and lewd cariage of the said Monkes In∣quisitors, and their adherents, as also, that which hereafter followeth touching the Waldenses in Dau∣phine, and the persecutions of the Arch-bishops of Turin against the Waldensian Churches of Pragela by their Commissaries.

Hitherto we haue not found that any haue hotly pursued the Waldenses by war; but Albert de Capita∣neis, Arch-deacon of Cremona, sent against them by Innocent the eight, in the yeere one thousand, foure hundred, [ 1488] eighty eight, began to intreat the assistance of the Kings Lieutenant in Dauphine called Hugnes de la Paln, who for this seruice leuied troopes of men, and marched to those places, where the said Albert told him there were any of the Waldenses, namely in the valley of Loyse. And to the end the busines should seeme to be vndertaken according to a forme of iu∣stice, and to giue the better authority to that which by them should be executed, the said Lieutenant of the King tooke in his company a Counseller of the Court, named M^r. Iohn Rabot. Being arriued at the said val∣ley Loyse, they found none of the Inhabitants, to whom they might speake a word; for they had all retired themselues into their cauernes into the high moun∣taines, hauing carried thither with them their little children and whatsoeuer was most pretious vnto them, and fit for nourishment. This Lieutenant of the King caused a great quantity of wood to be laid at the entrance of their caues or cauernes, and fire to be put vnto it, in such manner that either the smoake by smothering them, or the fire by burning them, con∣strained a great number, to cast themselues headlong from their cauernes vpon the rockes below, where they ended their liues, being broken in peeces, and if there were any amongst them that durst to stirre, hee was presently slaine by the souldiers of the said Coun∣ty of Varax, Lord of Paln. This persecution was very extreame; For there were found within the said cauernes foure hundred small infants, stifled in

their cradles, or in the armes of their dead mothers. It is held for a certaine truth amongst the VValdenses of the neighbouring Valleis, that there then died aboue three thousand persons, men and women of the said Valley. And to say the truth they were wholly extir∣pated, in such sort, that from that time forward, the said Valley was peopled with new Inhabitants, there was no family of the said Waldenses that euer tooke footing there; which is a certain proofe that all the Inhabitants thereof of both sexes died at that time. This Lieute∣nant of the King, hauing destroyed the said Inhabitants of the Valley Loyse, fearing lest the Waldenses should settle themselues there againe, & to the end they might not one day be troubled againe to chase them out, he gaue the goods and possessions of the said Valley, to whom it pleased him, which was no sooner parted amongst them, but the Waldenses of Pragela, and Frassi∣nieres had prouided for their safety, attending the ene∣my at the passages, and narrow straites of their Val∣leies, in such manner, that when the said Leiutenant of the King came to inuade them, hee was constrained honestly to retire. Albert de Capetaneis being called elsewhere by his Commission, surrogated a certaine Monke of the Order of Saint Francis, named Francis Ploieri, who began to informe anew against the Wal∣denses of Frassiniere, in the yeere one thousand foure hundred eighty nine. [ 1489] He citeth them to appeare before him at Ambrun, and for not appearing, he excommuni∣cateth them, curseth and recurseth them, and in the end condemned them for Heretickes, partinacious, and backsliders, to be deliuered to the secular power, and their goods confiscated. To this iudgement there gaue assistance, in behalfe of the Court of Parliament

in Dauphine, a certaine Counceller thereof named Ponce, to the end that this mixt iudgement might be without appeale. The sentence was pronounced in the great Church at Ambrun, afterward fastned vpon the doore of the said Church in a great Table, in the lower part whereof, there were thirty two Articles of the beleefe of the said Waldenses, that is to say, against the Masse, Purgatory, the Inuocation of the Saints, Pilgrimage, the obseruation of Feasts, distinction of Viandes vpon certaine daies, and other matters that were affirmed by the said Waldenses.

But this Inquisitor added to the Articles of their beleefe, that they held, that for the augmentation of humane kind, a man might company with his owne sister, neece, or other in any degree of proximity whatsoeuer, because God hath said, Increase and mul∣tiply.

Againe, that euery man that burneth in lust, may carnally know any woman whatsoeuer, without sin∣ning, because the Apostle saith, that it is better to mar∣ry then to burne, and because it is said in the Gospell (qui potest capere captat) interpreting it thus, catch hee that catch can.

Now the informations vpon which they groun∣ded their sentence being come to our hands, this im∣posture hath been dicouered to their owne condem∣nation: for there is not any witnes, or at leastwise the greatest part of those that were heard; but they were Priests or Monkes, who being demanded by the said Monke, whether they knew this beleefe contained in the aforesaid Articles to be true, answered, that they neuer knew, amongst the Waldenses any such things ei∣ther taught or practised.

In the same bundle or bag of proces against the Waldenses, there is there one framed against two Pa∣stors, who were taken, about the hill in the side of the Plaine, the one named Francis Gerondin, the other Peter Iames, [ 1492] in the yeere one thousand foure hundred ninety two. Being demanded why the Sect of the Waldenses grew and increased so fast, and for a long time together had spred it selfe into so many places. This Monke thus sets downe the answere of the Pa∣stor Gerondin; That the dissolute life of the Priests was the cause, and because the Cardinals were coue∣tous, proud, luxurious, being a thing knowne vnto all, that there was neither Pope, Cardinall, nor Bi∣shop, that kept not their whores; few or none that had not their youth for Sodomy: and therefore it was an easie matter for the VValdensian Pastors, to per∣swade the people, that the Religion of such scanda∣lous persons was not good, since their fruits were so bad. And presently after, the said Pastor being de∣manded, what they taught touching Luxury: They make him to answer, that luxury is no sinne, except it be betwixt the mother and her childe. As if it had been possible that the Pastors could haue drawne the people from the Church of Rome by condemning the luxury of the Priests, if they themselues should teach, that luxury was no sin. Againe, being de∣manded why the incest of the childe with the mother was a sin, they make him to answere; because God hath forbidden it; And being asked, where hee hath forbidden it, they make him to say, that Christ Ie∣sus said vnto Iohn before he ascended vp into heauen, Garde to done seray failli vna volta non tornar piu. That

is to say, Take heed thou enter not into that place from whence thou once camest. And all this was thus set downe and subscribed, not onely by the dictat and ap∣pointment of the said Monke, but by the approbation and signature of the Councellor Ponce, and one Oronce Iudge of Briancon. Wherin appeares the priuat conspi∣racy, and vniust confederation of the said Inquisitors, in that they were not content to persecute them with violence, but to oppresse them with calumnies, ma∣king the said Pastors to answer so vnaptly & childish∣ly touching those things wherein (as it shall appeare in it due place, that is to say, in their exposition vpon the sixt Commandement) the said Pastors were throughly exercised in the Scriptures, and therefore that it is a plaine imposture which they haue forged, and an idle tradition, in which exposition they leaue nothing to say against luxury and incontinency of all that is taught vs in the word of God.

This persecution was very extreame: for the Waldenses being condemned by the Inquisitor as He∣retickes; Ponce the Counseller, and Oronce Iudges, sent them to the fire without appeale; and that which multiplied the number of those that were persecuted, was, that whosoeuer did any way mediat for them, whosoeuer hee were, whether it were the child for the father, or the father for the child, he was presently imprisoned, and his indictment framed, as a fauourer of Heretickes.

In the yeere one thousand foure hundred ninety foure, Anthony Fabri Doctor and Canon of Am∣brun, and Christopher de Salliens Canon Vicar, and Officiall of the Bishop of Valence, had Commissi∣on from the Pope to commence suit against the VVal∣denses

in Dauphine, otherwise called Chagnards. Fabri the Inquisitor, and one Gobandi Notary of Ambrun and Secretary to the said Inquisitors carried to Am∣brun a certaine indictment framed against Peironette of Beauregard in Valentinois, the widdow of one Peter Be∣rand, of whom we doe not make mention for her con∣stancie, but because shee deliuened in her answeres ma∣ny things that may adde some things to this History.

Being therefore demanded whether shee had seen, or vnderstood of any of the Pastors of the VValdenses, shee answered at the first, that shee had not, being re∣solued to answere to all interrogatories negatiuely. The Inquisitors ordained, that because shee had not satisfied their demands, shee should bee conueied to the prison of the Bishop of Valence, who being threat∣ned to be further vrged touching the question, confes∣sed that about some twenty fiue yeeres since, there were two men clothed in gray, that came to her hus∣bands house, & that after supper, the one of them asked her, Naues vous iamais auui parlar d'un plen pung de mond, que si non era tot lo monde seria afin. That is to say, Whether shee had heard any speech of a handfull of people that are in the world, without which the world must haue an end. Hauing answered that shee neuer heard any speech therereof, but of one Monsen Andre, Parson of Beauregard, who often told her, that there was a small number of people in the world, without whom the world must perish; and that then he likewise told her, that he was now come thither, to confer with her about that little flocke, and to giue her to vnderstand, that they were the men, that had learnt by the Commandements of God, how to serue him, & that they trauelled about the world to instruct men,

how they ought to adore and honour him, and to re∣forme the abuses of the Churche of Rome. Againe, that among other things he told her, that we ought not to doe any thing to another, which wee would not haue done vnto our selues; That wee are to wor∣ship one onely God, Who is onely able to helpe vs, and not the Saints departed; That wee ought not to Sweare; That we are to keep faith in marriage, and to keepe holy the Sabboth day, but that theee was no ne∣cessity of obseruing other Feasts. That Ecclesiasticall persons were too rich, which was the cause why they maintained their strumpets, and liued scandalously; and that of the Pope hee said in his language; Au∣tant crois & autant maluais es lo Papa coma neugun au∣tre, & per co non ages de poissansa. That is to say, that the Pope is as bad, or rather worse then any other, and therefore he hath no power. Againe, that hee taught that there was no Purgatory, but only Para∣dise for the good, and hell for the wicked. And therefore all the singings and suffrages for the soules of of the dead, by the Priests, auaile nothing; nor the walkes, and goings and commings of the Priests about the Church-yards, singing Kirieleison. As also, that it was better to giue to the poore, then to offer vnto Priests, and that it was a vaine thing to bow the knee before the images of Saints.

Shee was sent backe to prison, and the next mor∣row called againe: but persisting in her former speach, shee added, that the said Pastors had told her, that the Priests that receiued mony for the Masses they sing, were like Iudas that sold his Master for siluer; and they that gaue mony for their Masses, were like the Iewes, that bought Christ with mony.

These Inquisitors discharged this Peironette, vntill they were otherwise aduised, hauing first drawen from her, whatsoeuer shee knew, of the assemblies of the Waldenses, of such persons as frequented them, of the places and times, which afterwards brought great trouble to the said Churches of the Waldenses, and gaine and prey to the Inquisitors.

In the yeere of our Lord, [ 1497] one thousand foure hun∣dred ninety seuen, the Arch-bishop of Ambrun, na∣med Rostain, would know at his arriuall, how things had passed vntil then, against the Waldenses of his Dio∣ces, and finding that they that dwelt in the valley of Frassiniere, had been excommunicated by the Inquisi∣tors that had then framed their indictmēts, & that they had deliuered them to the secular power, nothing hin∣dring the execution of the sentences pronounced a∣gainst them, but their flight, he would not enter into the said Valley, though he were earnestly requested, by one Fazion Gay, an inhabitant of the said Valley, saying, that they had been condemned authoritate Pontificis Romani, and therefore he might beginne his iourney vnto them inconsulto Pontifice: but when our holy father laxabit mihi manus (saith he) and their ab∣solution shall be plaine and apparent vnto me, I will go to vifit them. Fazion Gay speaking in the behalfe of the said Inhabitants, that made profession to liue like good Catholikes (say they) answered, that the King had released of such punishments, prouided that they liued like good Catholikes for time to come.

The Arch-bishop replied, that hee would doe no∣thing vntill he had sent to the Pope, and that to that purpose he had deputed a Master in Theology, called Frier Iohn Columbi, and he would write to the Pope

and Cardinals; and send them a verball report of what had passed against them, and he would request their aduise, how to carry himselfe in this businesse. But he gaue them afterwards to vnderstand, that he could re∣ceiue no answere. Hereupon King Charles the eight of that name, King of France, being departed this life, the said Arch-bishop tooke his iourney to the Coro∣nation of King Lewis the twelfth, [ 1498] in the yeer one thou∣sand foure hundred ninety eight, which being come to the knowledge of the said Inhabitants of Frassi∣niere, and knowing too well, that they had no reason to expect, that any thing in their fauour could come from Rome, and that the Arch-bishop would be easily intreated, to enioy those goods that had been confis∣cated by his predecessors, and that hee would be vn∣willing to make restitution of those goods which they had annexed to his Arch-bishopricke, they resolued with themselues to send to King Lewis the twelfth, and to become humble petitioners vnto him, that hee would be pleased, to take some order for the restituti∣of their goods, the which the said Arch-bishop, the Monkes Inquisitors, and diuers others detained from them. The King committed this busines, to his Chan∣cellor and his Counsell: The Chancellor speaking therof to the Arch-bishop, he answered, that the resti∣tution that they demanded, concerned not himselfe, because the said goods were confiscated by the Inqui∣sitors long time before he was called to the Arch∣bishoprick of Ambrun: but there were then at Paris (saith he) the President of Grenoble, and the Chan∣cellor Rabot, that were able to answere to the said Article, they being the men that had condemned them.

The Waldenses on the other side, were very ear∣nest that the said Arch-bishop namely, and especially might be enioyned to make restitution of their goods, because many parcels of the said goods were annexed to the demaine of the said Arch-bishop, and that whensoeuer they demanded them, he sent to the Pope, to the preiudice of that, which the late deceased King had ordained.

The grand Counsell hauing taken knowledge of this businesse, ordained that nothing should be innoua∣ted, in that which concerned the Waldenses of Frassi∣niere, the King hauing written to the Pope, that there might be Apostolicall Commissaries ioyned with the said Arch-bishop as Ordinary, to make an end of this busines for this time.

For the prosecution of the said ordinance, there were named for Apostolicall Commissioners, a cer∣taine Confessor of the Kings, and the Officiall of Orleans, who came to Ambrun, in the yeere one thou∣sand fiue hundred and one, and the fourth of Iuly. [ 1501]

Here let the Reader iudge of the capacity of the said Arch-bishop, by those memorials that he hath left, and which wee haue heere written out word for word.

The Gentlemen, (saith he) the Confessor, and the Officiall of Orleans, being arriued at Ambrun, sent vnto mee a Post for the Packet to bring the Letter missiues of the King, to the which being receiued by me, I obeyed, and sent vnto them to intreat them, that they would be pleased to lodge with me as Monsieur the Confessor had promised to doe at Lyon, and pre∣sently I sent some of my people, to offer them a lod∣ging, and sent them of my wine: to whom they answe∣red,

that I should no more send any thing, to the end that they of Frassiniere, should not haue them in suspi∣tion, and that therefore they would not accept of my lodging. And after dinner I went to their lodging, ac∣companied with Monsiuer the Abbot of Boscaudon, some of my Canons, and other Officers, and to the said Commissioners I offered againe my house, doing them honour and reuerence, as to Apostolicall and Royall Commissioners, and for the honour of their charge and persons; Then the said Commissioners presented vnto me the said Apostolicall and Royall Commissions, requiring of me, as being ioyned in the said Commissions, and as ordinary, to take notice of it. The Commissions being viewed and read, I pre∣sently offered my self, with all honor and reuerence, to giue them all the aid and fauour I could possibly, and that for my part, there should nothing bee wanting, but that the said Commission should be fully accom∣plished, offering vnto them all the proces and indict∣ments that I had, as they demanded them, notwith∣standing a great part of the said proces were remaining in the great Counsell, from the time of that Monsi∣eur the Chancellor Adam Fumee (who caused my predecessor and his Secretary to be arested) at Lion vntill the said Adam Fumee had the originall of the proces, which were about the charge of a moyle, not suf∣fering the said Secretary to retaine any writing, as the said Secretary medio iuramento, in their presence deposed. Afterwards Monsieur the Confessor began to blame those Commissioners, which in former times had been imployed therein. And did charge and admonish (semel, bis, ter, sub paena excommunicatio∣nis latae sententiae, trina & Canonica monitione praece∣dente)

that I should shew, and that incontinently, all the indictments that I had touching this matter, for he was to spend in this businesse but a few dayes, be∣ing to returne vnto the Court, at the Feast of our La∣dy in August to the King, who expected him, as his Confessor, notwithstanding, that before I had offered to deliuer him the said proces. But when I saw that he proceeded against all forme of Law, and that hee purposed to proceede against the dignity Episcopall, rather by suspensions then excommunications, and that I was a Iudge as well as he, and more then that, Ordinary, I asked the Copy of their Commissions, & terminum ad respondendum, according to the forme of the Law written. Then Monsieur the Confessor an∣swered, that he had vsed the said Censures and Com∣mands not long before against the Masters of the Par∣liament of Grenoble, and that therefore he might vse it against my selfe.

Replying also vnto me; You petty Clarkes know nothing but two C. C. Codice, & Capitulo, and two ff. Digestis, and will take vpon you to suppresse Diui∣nity, and that he heard the King speake it out of his owne mouth, that the Arch-bishop of Ambrun would oppose himselfe against his Commission, and bee an open accuser of the Waldenses. To whom I answe∣red, that hee must pardon me, for I did not beleeue but that the King had a better opinion of me, because in this matter I had neuer trauelled but to a good end, as I alwaies intended to doe. Then Monsieur the Confessor continuing in his discourse; spake these words; Vos ad me in modum Scribarum & Pharisaeorum Christum accusantium ad Pilatum accessistis, cum tantis viris Ecclesiasticis ad terrendum me: sed nihil teneo sub

vobis aut domino vestro, & de nihilo vos timeo. That is to say; You are come vnto mee as the Scribes and Pharisies, when they accused Christ before Pilate, and with so many Ecclesiasticall persons, to terrifie mee, but I hold nothing vnder you or your dominion, and I feare you not at all. To which I answered, that I brought no more with mee, then those that were accu∣stomed to beare mee company walking through the Citty. And suddenly he commanded the lay-peo∣ple to auoid the chamber, then reuoked the sentences which hee had thundred out against mee, against all forme of law, saying; that it was expedient to vse those rigorous tearmes in the presence of the lay-peo∣ple, and especially there being some of the Waldenses present, as more at large touching the kind carriage of Monsier the Confessor, and of matters aboue spo∣ken of, it appeares by a publike instrument.

Thus you see part of the notes of the Arch-bishop Rostain set downe word by word, wherein we finde sundry falshoods, as for example: He writ in great griefe, that the said Commissioners, heard not aboue three or foure witnesses, and we finde in the said bun∣dle of writings for remembrance, of the Arch-bishop Roslain, a Coppy of informations wherein there were foure and twenty witnesses heard and examined.

Againe he saith, that they asked no other questi∣on, but if they were good Catholikes or no, to which being well taught, they answered yea, and with that answere the Commissioners contented themselues: And yet it appeareth that they demanded diuers que∣stions touching the Eucharist, Purgatory, Inuocation of Saints, and diuers other points.

Againe he saith, that the witnesses were fearefull

and durst not speake, and yet it plainly appeareth, that the witnesses produced, were for the most part Priests and Monkes, of the faction of the Arch-bishop, exhi∣bited by him.

Againe, that they suffered nothing to be set downe in writing; whereas it appeareth, that there are no In∣dictments where there is more written, then in those that were framed by the said Commissioners.

But that which troubled the Arch-bishop most, was that the said Commissioners gaue sentence of ab∣solution touching Contumacy, sine praeiudicio causae principalis & iuris cuicunque acquisiti; against which the Arch-bishop protested, and would not yeeld his consent to seale the said sentence, complaining that Monsieur the Officiall of Orleans had made knowen by his proceedings, that he fauoured the said Waldenses, especially hauing said openly at his lodgiug at the signe of the Angell in Ambrun, that he desired to be but as good a Christian, as the worst of Frassiniere.

But the greatest hurt came to himselfe, for he saw that hee must restore diuers viniards belonging to the said Waldenses, situated at S. Clements, S. Crespin, and at the place Chanteloube, and diuers inheritances at Cha∣teau-Roux, which his Predecessor named Iohn, had ioy∣ned to the Demaine of his Arch-bishopricke.

The Confessor of the King hauing reported vnto him and to his Counsell, what he knew touching the Waldenses, and how they were absolued of their con∣tumacy, did ordaine that the goods of the said Walden∣ses should be restored, whereupon these Letters fol∣lowing were granted by King Lewis the twelfth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that name.

Lewis by the grace of God, King of France, &c.

FOr as much as it is come to our knowledge, that the Inhabitants of Frassiniere haue endured great troubles and vexations, punishments, and trauels, VVe desiring to releeue them, and that they should be restored to their goods, moueables, and immoueables, do by these Presents command all those that detaine the said goods, that incontinently and without delay, they desist and renounce the said goods, and restore them to the said Suppliants, or their Atturneies for them, euery one in his place and ranke. And in case of opposition, refusall or delay; Wee hauing regard to their pouerty and misery, wherein they haue a long time, and now are detai∣ned, without power to obtaine iustice, desiring with∣all Our heart it should bee administred vnto them, Our will is to take notice thereof in Our owne pro∣per person, warning all those that shall oppose them∣selues, or make delay, to appeare before Ʋs at a certaine competent day, &c.

Giuen at Lion the twelfth of Oct. 1501.

These Letters being executed, it was the opinion of most men, that since the fairest and best part of the goods of the said Waldenses was possessed by the Lord Arch-bishop, that there was great reason, that hee

should giue example vnto others; seeing especially, that that which they held, came vnto some of them as a sallary or fee for their punishments, and by the hands of the Arch-bishop Iohn his Predecessor.

The Arch-bishop Rostain answered, that he held none of the goods of the Frassinieres: onely certaine goods had been annexed to his Arch-bishopricke vp∣on good and iust cause, and incorporated to his Church, by his Predecessor, the said goods being within the territories and iurisdiction thereof, in which no commandement of the King hath euer been accustomed to be executed, and therefore it is not to bee beleeued, that it commeth from the will of the King, being Protector of the Churches, and fol∣lowing the example of his great predecessors: But yet neuerthelesse, the said Arch-bishop being willing to please our Lord the King, will bee content to yeeld vnto the said Inhabitants of Frassiniere the said vine∣yards, vpon condition that other the Lords and Ma∣sters of Dauphine, deliuer that which they haue of the said goods, and then the Arch-bishop will be content to restore that which hee and his Church doe pos∣sesse.

Thus these poore people were frustrated of their attempt. For there was not any one that would re∣store any thing of that which he detained. And there∣fore they summoned before the King and his counsell the said Arch-bishop, Master Pons Counsellor of the Parliament at Grenoble, Peter de Rames, Esquier, Lord of Poit, Faix de Rames, the Master of Montainard, and of Argentiere, Arrouars de Bonne, and diuers other ordinary Atturnies, Priests and Burgeses of Am∣brun, and Briancon. They sent to the Court, and

hauing there more friends and credit, then the Inha∣bitants of Frassiniere. Their excuse was receiued, wherein they declared, that it was not in their power to restore the said goods, before the Pope had absol∣ued them.

And the Arch-bishop protested, that hee for his part, was ready to restore all that his Predecessors had vnited to his Church, prouided that they had the aforesaid absolution. This occasioned such as were lesse affected and constant, to assay this way, and to send to Pope Alexander the sixt of that name, then Bishop of Rome: But they were compelled ra∣ther not to goe to Rome, but to fetch a writ of abso∣lution from the Cardinall Legat in France, George of the title of Saint Xist; which would suffice, and might be obtained with lesse charge. For the obtaining whereof they had the Commissary, the Kings Con∣fessor. They sent therefore one Steuen Roux, who who brought two Bulles, one by which he gaue ab∣solution for Simony, theft, murder, vsury, Adultery, dedention of Benefices, destruction of goods Eccle∣siasticall, violence against Clerks, by beating them, vnlawfull oathes, periuries, Fraudes, yea Apostacy, and Heresie, and whosoeuer had committed any crime, were it neuer so hainous, this Cardinall absolued them from all, by his Apostolicall authority.

And forasmuch as his Arch-bishop might pre∣tend, that the said Bull did not absolue the said people of Frassinieres, hauing been condemned by the said Apostolicall authority, by Commissioners and In∣quisitors deputed by the Pope, and therefore his mouth was stopped, he brought another Bull, in which there was especially this clause; Hauing power from

the Pope to decide or determine any matter, that any other, that hath been deputed by that holy Sea, or substituted can doe, yea where there hath been an appeale, absoluing all that haue in any manner been condemned.

This poore man thought he had gotten much; and proceeded far in this busines; but the Arch-bishop Rostain flouted his Bulles, saying that they were ob∣tained with too great a price and importunity, and that he must haue an absolution from the Pope himselfe. And so resolued with himselfe to restore nothing, and all the rest followed his example. And notwithstan∣ding they had had absolution from the Pope, yet they would haue restored, nothing for he knew well inough that in those daies, all things were sold at Rome, wit∣nesse those Latine verses which were written a gainst the said Alexander the sixth.

Vendit Alexander cruces, altaria Christum, Emer at ille prius, vendere iure potest. Pope Alexander sold altars, Christ, and his crosse, He bought them, had he not sold, had liued by the losse.

Againe,

Templa, Sacerdotes, Altaria, Sacra, Coronae, Ignis, Thura, Preces, Caelum est venale, Deúsque. Temples & Priests, Altars & Crowns, they sell for pelfe, Fire, Frankincense, Prayers, heauen, and God himselfe.

which is to be vnderstood of their breaden god in the Masse.

The Arch-bishop therfore, was the cause, why others kept still those goods in their possession, without any restitution; and though some particular persons were afterwards called into question, as namely Le Sieur de Montainar, de Rames, and others, yet they could ne∣uer haue any remedy.

In the yeere one thousand fiue hundred sixty, [ 1560] the Waldenses of Frassiniere and Pragela, had their Chur∣ches furnished with Pastors, who held them in the ex∣ercise of their religion, at that time wherein they persecuted vnto death all those that made professi∣on of reformation. The President Truchon made an Oration to the States of Prouence assembled the same yeere, the sixt of Nouember, of purpose to exterminate the said Waldenses of Frassinieres and Pragela, saying, that it was necessary to purge the old and ancient Leuen, likely to make soure the whole Country of Dauphine, if some course were not taken to preuent it. By these States it was re∣refolued by open force to extirpate them, and by armes, and to this purpose Commissions were giuen forth to leuy troopes of men, and to passe into the said Valleies: but so soone as the drumme was strooken vp, and the men in armes throughout Prouence, the vnexpected death of King Francis the second of that name altered the designe, and after∣wards the said Waldensian Churches in Dauphine continued, as still they doe by the singular fauour of God.

Notes

• Valentinois.
• Anno 1380.
• This Bull was taken out of the Chamber Country of Grenoble.
• Vineaux in his Meuo••. fol. 6.
• Mandians.
• Sur le col de coste Plane.