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 Duke of Lorrain comes to visit the King before his departure and pro∣miseth after his return to come and do him homage for the Dutchy of Bar.

WHiles the King was at Chaalous, the Duke of Lorrain came thither to wait upon him, hoping that by his bare complements & civilities he might satis∣fy his Majesty without doing homage for the Dutchy of Bar, which was in his posses∣sion by the death of his predecessour. The King had often called upon him to do his homage, knowing that as God had put the crown upon his head, so he was by it obliged no lesse to preserve the Authority which he had given him over stranger Princes, then over his own subjects. The Duke refused it not, but pretended that the Dutchy of Bar belonged to him in chief, as also that of Lorrain by virtue of a certain Salique Law, which had been likewise confirmed by those of his Family, and was yet to be seen amongst his old Record, and thereupon would do homage in his own name and not in his wifs to whom really it belonged. The King, who could not endure injustice, would not permit that the Dutchess his wife, who had put the Ducal Coronet upon his head should be so dealt with; but resolved that either shee should do the homage, or he in her name. Upon this account it was that he came to assure his Majesty, he would suddenly after his return acquit himself of the homage in that form, which should be thought reasonable, and in the mean while to beseech him, that he would excuse him for some little time. He presented unto his Majesty a Kennel of as find hounds as could be seen, which his Majesty kindly accepted of, and yet to let him see that he looked upon hunting onely as a diversi∣on, when other important State affairs gave him some leisure time, he hereupon made him a discourse which is not amisse to be observed in this place, for the in∣struction of Soveraigns, in what degree they ought to hold those recreations, which tend to their pleasure.

Cozen, said he, I have left off hunting, I must confesse, I de∣light in it, when other affairs give me leave; but at present my thoughts are alto∣gether taken up to show how affectinately I interest my self with my Allies; after I shall have relieved the Duke of Mantua, I may perchance return to my old re∣creations, till some other of my friends may have occasion to make use of me.

And most certain it is, his pleasures never withdrew him from theears of his State. He would be informed very exactly of all affairs how mean soever, neither would he allot any time for the recreations which other Princes used to allow themselves, because his piety forbid him, as knowing them to be contrary to the Laws of God.