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 de Montmorency re-doubleth his Intreagues upon Monsieur's arrival in Languedoc.

MOnsieur being once entred into Languedoc, the Duke of Montmorency having pre-assured him that the Nobility would generally rise, and divers strong pla∣ces open their gates unto him, upon his first appearance in the field, he began to re-inforce his endeavours to effect both one and t'other; until then he fed the King with fair words, having sent seven Couriers to the Court one after another, and all to assure his Majesty of his Fidelity: But it was no more time to dissemble; whereupon he summoned all his Friends engaged with him, to reduce their pro∣mises into action, which was follow'd by several open meetings, contrary to his Majesty's Laws and Service. Monsieur by several Placards published in his own Name, and declared himself to be his Majesty's Lievtenant General, against the present Government. The Cities of Alby, Bagnols, Beziers, and Lunel, the Castles of Beaucaire and Al••ts, with divers other places of less consequence, re∣volted. There were seen four or five thousand Neapolitans in the Road near Nar∣bone, sent by the Spaniard: There were many false Publications made, inveighing against the disorders of the State, only pretended so to be, whereby to raise the people. There was a practice had with many of the Prelats, Barons, and Depu∣ties of the States, who were engaged so far, that by a Result of the States, they con∣cluded to offer unto Monsieur that Province, with all its Dependencies, to assist him to re-establish the State in better order, and to afford him means to destroy such as opposed, of whom they made the Cardinal to be Head; and promised the Duke of Montmorency to league themselves with him, and never to forsake or fall off from his Interests; and particularly commanded, that nothing should be regi∣stred of that which had been promised unto the Sieur d' Emery, concerning the Edict for Fsleus, but that all such Acts should be void and burn'd. Moreover the Duke of Montmorency sent several Commissions unto divers Gentlemen, and o∣thers, in his own name, to proceed to divide the Kings money in the Diocesses: At the same time he writ letters unto the Commonalty, to invite them to approve of the said Commissions, and unanimously to embrace the States resolutions. He endeavoured to withdraw the Marquis de Fossez Governour of Montpellier, from his Majesties service, proffering to make him Mareschal of France immediately, and divers other rewards in future as was evidenced unto his Majesty by his own let∣ters. He caused the Arch-bishop of Narbone, President of the States, and the Sieur d'Emery to be arrested, because they had ever opposed his Designs; He not only

raised all the Souldiers he could both in that and the adjacent Provinces, but also he sent one of his Domestique servants into Spain, with the Sieur de Farg••, to nego∣tiate there for a supply of men and monies: To conclude, he left no stone unturn'd which he conceived might any way contribute to advance his Designs: and had Monsieur stay'd but one three weeks longer before he came thither, questionless his attempts and successes would have been more prejudicial to the State, as was conceived by all men who had any judgement in affairs of that nature. The Parli∣ament of Tholose (which hath ever been notoriously true and faithful unto the King upon all occasions) taking notice of these his undue proceedings, issued out seve∣ral Inhibitions, to hinder his further progressions; First they ordained that the Substitutes of the Atturney General in all Marshalsies and Courts of Judicature, should make diligent enquiries to discover his Designs and Actions: They con∣demned the Result of the States, as rebellious: They prohibited any monies to be levied, paid, or collected in the Duke of Montmorency's name: They made a De∣cree against all the Officers of the States, who had any way procured the said Re∣sult, enjoying them to be taken and imprisoned, that they might be brought to tryal and condigne punishment; and particularly, the Bishop of Alby having de∣livered the said place unto Monsieur, they seized upon all his Goods and Reve∣nues, inhibiting his Tenants or Debitors to disseize them, under penalty of being accountable for it in their own names and persons: By which their generous exam∣ple, they left a pattern to all other Parliaments, that they ought not to regard any man what-ever, when his Majesties service and the publique Peace is in question.