The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

The King hearing that the English were come before Rochel to relieve it rosolveth to return thither.

THe King had not long been at Paris, but he understood the English Fleet was ready to hoise Sail for Rochel, which made him resolve upon his return thither: I cannot omit observing how this resolution of his, was a mark both of his wisdome and courage, who as he is not to be cheated out of his Authority by Cabals and Intreagues, so is he not to be retarded by any fear of danger, from those occasi∣ons where he might acquire an accrument of glory. At this time it was, that the Lord Keeper Marillac, and those of his Faction, began to lay the foundation of the Cardinall intended ruine; but it onely served to convince and shew unto his Majesty, that one of the greatest mischiefs whereunto a Soveraign can be exposed, is to be incompased with such persons as are passionately bent against his chief Mini∣ster. The malice which they did bear against his glory finding him much advan∣ced, before the siege of Rochel, of which he was the first contriver, did much insti∣gate them against him. They were angry that he had finished his works in such good order, though the enemies of the Kingdome could not sufficiently admire them: it grieved them to see the place in a condition of being taken by his means; and to prevent it, they now resolved to use their utmost indeavour to raise up the Hugonot party, that they might force the King from the siege of it.

Now as it was easie to judge, that in case his Majesty should return to Rochel, he would repulse the English, and being followed by many of the Nobility and Lords, who are alwaies observed to be the Authors of victory and successe, that he would likewise infallibly force the Town, so they used a thousand devices to stay him at Paris. The Lord Keeper Marillac told him with many expressions of an extraordinary passion for his service, that considering how strong the English fleet was, in comparison of his Majesties, the issue of the battel ought to be doubted, how great resistance they would make, and a thousand other inconvenien∣ces he alleged would follow, in case they should get the better of the day. O∣thers indeavoured to disswade him by a tacite discommending the ayr of Rochel, which might much indanger his health, especially during the moisture of the spring every one commending the Valor and Conduct of Monsieur the Cardinal, the bet∣ter to disguise their malice, and petswading his Majesty totally to rely upon his care in the management of the siege. But they found the Pannick fears; made no im∣pression upon his Majesties resolutions, which made them design to affrighten his Majesty and the Queen-mother, as one whose Sex is most capable of fears, per∣swading themselves, that in case he could be prevented by some apprehension, she might then have power enough over the King, to stay him at Paris. Divers La∣dies who had the honour to be neer her, were won at that time to work several con∣trivances to that purpose, but all to no purpose. It is true their design was not

onely to hinder the Cardinal from reaping the glory due unto him by the taking of Rochel, but totally to ruine him, as hereafter shall be shewed. Now was it not a little conducing to that purpose, to stay the King at Paris, for his Majesty not going to animate his Army by his presence, they would not onely have made lesse resistance to the English, but also many Lords and Gentlemen obliged to attend his person, would not have been there, by which means, the English would have had the advantage of releeving-Rochel, and the whole blame of that mis-fortune would have been laid on the Cardinal, which they thought enough to disgrace him, and save his Majesties honour. These were the first foundations which this Cabal projected against the glory and favour of this grand Minister. But they were all too weak, to surprise the Kings mind, who no wayes ignorant how necessary his presence was in such an encounter, would not refuse it, to the honour of his Crown and the repose of France, which did much depend upon it. He called to mind the example of the late King his father, who deliberating whether or no he should go to the relief of Calais, so powerfully assaulted by the Spaniards that there were small hopes to hinder their taking of it, said, the place would assuredly be taken, if he went not in person to releeve it, and that it might so happen that his presence might save it; and therefore that it was better to hazard this latter, then to leave the former without remedy, preferring his honour and the publick good, before the particular consideration of his person. The same courage carried his Majesty to the most glorious and honourable design, that his good fortune, with that of France could lead him to undertake, which was, forthwith to depart. Upon the third of April he set forward from Paris, and arrived at Rochel on Easter-munday. Upon his arrival the Artillery both of the Forts and Ships saluted him, and his pre∣sence so revived the Army, that every one redoubled his courage and affection to behave themselves with resolution: There were but the Marilacs and those of their faction, who were troubled to see him on the Theater of his glory; but the Laurels which his Majesty gathered there, did serve to set forth unto what mis-for∣tunes a Prince is reduced, when he is councelled by passionate advisers.