〈◊〉 ASSOCIATION OF THE PRINCE'S OF FRANCE, With the Protestations and Declarations of their Allegiance to the KING.  
Also A DISCOURSE UPON THE SURRENDRY OF THE SEALS INTO THE KING'S hands by M. du VAIZ.  
LONDON Printed for William Barret. 1617.   

THE ASSOCIATION OF THE PRINCE'S OF FRANCE.  
WE underwritten, weighing the miserable estate whereto this Kingdom is now reduced, with the confusion which threateneth an inevitable separation, and justly dreading that the Enemies of the same, aswell Domestic, as Strangers, will make their use by prevailing through the ruin thereof, if good and speedy order be not taken, have thought, that during the King's minority, and the keeping prisoner of the first Prince of the Blood, there was no remedy more proper, to prevent, and stop so great an evil, then to unite ourselves most strictly together, under these Articles which follow.  
FIRST, We protest to continue constant, and never to depart from that loyal Obedience, and most humble Submission which we owe as true and natural Subjects of this Crown, to the King our Prince & Sovereign Lord.  
And because it is well known, that Strangers and such as favour them, have seized on the sacred Person of the King, and on the whole Administration and absolute Government of the Kingdom, which they do most unjustly usurp, and exercise, with great Tyranny and Oppression, and do violently detain the Prince of Conde prisoner, for no offence or lawful cause, against the public faith of the Treaty of Loudun, it is most apparent that they have no other end, then to destroy the house of Bourbon, which now only remaineth of all the Royal Houses, and do aim at the death of our Princes, and in it, the change and subversion of the State: For these causes we do faithfully promise to employ with one mind all our power, goods, and lives for the conservation thereof, and to hinder the miserable effects of so pernicious designs; and to take the public Authority from them who usurp the same, to restore the King unto the dignity of his Crown, to keep and maintain it in all sincerity, and integrity; to withdraw his Majesty from their wicked purposes, and to keep him out of their hands; to set the Prince of Conde at liberty, to repair the wrong done him, by punishing the Authors of this violence, to revoke all those Offices and Dignities which have been bestowed since the withholding of them from those to whom of right they belong: And to reduce the State into a due form, to establish under the Sovereign Authority of the King, the lawful Counsel of the Princes of his blood, of other Princes, and Officers of his Crown, and of those ancient Counsellors of State, who have gone through many great and important charges, and such likewise as are descended from Noble houses, and Families of great antiquity, who by natural affection and particular interest do affect the preservation of the State, to whom during the minority of our Kings, or by reason of their indisposition, the Administration, Government, and Direction of public affairs ought to be referred, by the ancient and fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, by which, both Women and Strangers are debarred from it. And if it should so happen (from which GOD in his mercy keep us) that the King should depart this life, we do by these declare, that we acknowledge after his decease for our King and Sovereign Lord, my Lord the Duke of Anjou, which is the true and lawful Heir and Successor of this Crown, and during his minority, my Lord the Prince of Conde to be lawful Regent and Guardian of the Kingdom, to whom as first Prince of the blood this pre-eminence doth belong, with the Council before mentioned for the common direction and administration of the affairs of the Kingdom, and not to suffer any other to be admitted unto the Regency, no not the King's Mother, to the prejudice of the Laws of this State. And if it should so happen that these Usurpers, who are most expert in limiting the term of life, and in plotting the death of those who serve for obstacles to their designs, and enterprises, who ordinarily in such cases do use Knives, and Poison, to hasten their Devilish ends, should attempt (by these most detestable means) to take away the King's life, or the Prince of Conde's, we protest before the Almighty, both to seek, and prosecute the just vengeance thereof, by all lawful means to the uttermost of our powers, not only upon themselves who are the chief Actors, but upon their Adherents also, domestic Servants, and Strangers, that in their persons we may leave a memorable example unto succeeding ages, as well of the fidelity and affection of true Subjects, as of the just punishment of so abominable disloyalty and impiety.  
And to this purpose we will employ both our Revenues, and lives, even as long as one drop of blood remaineth in our bodies, and will advise our posterity to do the like after us. And that we may provide for such an accident, and for the safety of the Kingdom against the plots of Strangers, and for the Government, and Administration of the same; in case we want a Prince of the blood, we will call a Parliament to be assembled in a free place, whither we may have sure access, to the end we may proceed with that order which is convenient and necessary.  
We do faithfully promise to execute exactly, and observe inviolably the Laws of this Kingdom; and in particular the Treaty of Loudun, for the common good of all the orders of the State, and for the security of all the good and faithful Subjects of the King.  
We will maintain, and continue the ancient Alliances, Treaties, and Confederations, renewed by the deceased King, with foreign Princes, Potentates, & Commonwealths, Friends, Allies, and Confederates, who are in the protection of the Crown, that we may re-establish in the conduct of the affairs of State the ancient maxims of the late King, which he so happily used during his reign, for the security of his State, and the public peace of Christendom, the which many men have left since his death.  
We do further promise, that we will oppose under the King's authority, by all means possible, and namely by our just Arms, and with the succours of all the Allies, and Confederates of this Crown, all those who would hinder the effect of this our Union, wherein we have no further end, then to preserve the King's Royal authority, and the dignity of his Crown, to establish his Sceptre in his hand, and in the hands of his lawful Successors; And to maintain under the common liberty of Frenchmen, our Lives, Goods, Honours, and Dignities, against the disloyalty, and perfidiousness of those who have conspired not only our ruin, but the ruin of the King's house, and of the whole Kingdom.  
And that we may with the more security prosecute so laudable and necessary a design, for the common defence of the State, the observation of the public, and private Laws thereof.  
And for the destruction of those who are Enemies both to the King and Kingdom, and by a firm connexion entertain a true and perpetual concord, and live together as true members of one, and the same body, under the head which shall be elected by us; and following the rules which by us hereafter shall be made, we do all of us promise, and each of us give his hand one to other, whereof God is a witness between us, to keep this Union faithfully, and to perform all those things which shall thereon depend, by common counsel, and agreement, and by a mutual correspondency, and communication, to maintain, support, and succour each other, against all men.  
And to this purpose, we do renounce all particular interests, respects, dangers, and considerations, which may be propounded to us to the contrary, that we may jointly hasten to assist him or them who shall be assaulted, or encountered in hatred of the said Union, or in consequence thereof directly, or indirectly, by what way, or by whomsoever, to do our parts, and faithfully to contribute our defence in common, and of every of us in particular all the power wherewith God shall enable us, without excuse, delays, or other shifts, and not to leave the present Union and Association, nor lay aside our Arms, until the things before mentioned be provided for, nor hearken unto any accord, or treaty of peace, unless it be by common consent.  
This Union and Association shall be both for us & our children, whom we mean to be comprised herein, and unto whom, if any of us should chance to depart this life, or that for any necessary cause he were allieged, to go out of this Kingdom: We promise in this case to give the same succours and assistance, as it already said.  
And to avoid all divisions, and discontents which may happen amongst us for any occasion whatsoever, we do submit ourselves to the judgement of our Associates, or to the greater part of them in an equal number: to whose determination we will be liable to conform ourselves, and not take pretext to wax cold in that which concerns this Association. This present writing shall be kept secret amongst us, and not manifested, unless at such time as by common advice it shall be judged profitable.  
And for conclusion, protesting before GOD to keep inviolably the Articles already set down, we beseech the same GOD to endue us with his grace, and to be pleased to bless us in all our good intentions, to guide them and cause them to succeed, to the establishment of the Crown, and the good, and conservation of our Country.   

A DISCOURSE UPON THE SURRENDRY OF THE SEALS INTO THE KING'S HANDS by M. du Vaiz.  
SIR, I willingly render into your hands, the charge which it pleased your Majesty to honour me withal; and with the same countenance that I received it without demanding, I redeliver without any grief at all. The laws had sufficiently instructed me, what obedience I owe to your Majesty; so that you needed not send the Captains of your Guard with twenty Archers to fetch me. Violence ought to be used but against such as resist, and not against me that know how to obey my Prince, and have ever thought this honour rather to be an heavy burden, than a Dignity, which nevertheless I did accept for the good of your service, because every virtuous man doth owe his care and time to the public good, and it had been a shame to have refused to die with the Stern in my hand, being able either to hinder, or at the least to keep off awhile the storm that threatens us. God grant, Sir, that I be the Man that suffereth most by this disfavour, and that your Majesty and the State be least interessed. I am not taken at unawares in this accident, having ever foreseen, that as my best endeavours were still employed, to follow so near as possible I could, the integrity and virtue of Monsieur de Villeroy, and the precedent Monsieur jaunin, so ought I also to expect a fortune like to theirs. Your majesties commandment agreeth in that with the choice myself should have made, if I had been at mine own disposing; desiring, rather to be a companion of their disgrace, if I may so term freedom from troublesome Employments, then to be used in the government of the State, with those who now remain, being subject in time, by conversing with them, to have to touch of their bad tincture, whose prosperity I envy not, nor the augmentation of their authority, which is given unto them at my cost. For I have never been accustomed, to give an account every morning by stealth, neither will I suffer any man to prescribe me what I ought to do, if the good of the State and reason do not advise me unto it. It is more honourable for me, than the sealing of a bill of eight hundred thousand pounds, in this great penuriousness of th' Exchequer, to furnish his turn that blusheth not at it: Nay, who besides this, is not ashamed to demand the Duchy of Alançon for a pawn, which is the portion of a son of France, and to pretend the office of Constable, which the deceased King would expressly have suppressed, after the Death of the late Monsieur de Montmorency. Believe not, Sir, that because I would not consent to these things, I would oppose your majesties authority. I know, it hath no other limit then your own will. Yet you are obliged to govern yourself according to reason, and follow the counsel of those, that are entered into the managing of the State, by the choice of the deceased King, as being more capable to give it unto you then new-comers, drawn from the dregs of business and of the people. This exchange which is made from us to them, is as Wolves use sheep, when the Dogs are absent. Doth not your Majesty perceive it? dare you not remedy it for fear of disobedience? Sir, by nature you owe it to them that preach it unto you, but they owe the same to you, both by divine and human Laws. When you show them the least obedience, they have given you but too much example. Remember if you please, that you are passed fifteen years of age, and Kings are Majors at fourteen, Isaac did follow his father Abraham willingly to be sacrificed, because he was not of years to fear any thing. I believe, that had he been a perfect Man, and had foreseen the danger, he would not have carried the wood on his shoulders. These are but deceitful sacrifices, I pray God keep your Majesty in these occasions from the effect. For when I see that the authority of the Court is made to move when they will, that they create and dispose of the Officers of the Crown, and none seek to hinder them; The Princes of the blood, some being imprisoned, and others retired for the security of their persons; when I see that amongst the Lords those that are showed but the shadow of some better fortune, lend their hands to their own servitude. Those that have attained to any establishment in this strangeness, do maintain it for fear to return to the misery of their first condition; so that it seemeth, the people and Provinces do suffer together in this exchange, by the example of the great Ones, seeing that the help of Laws are unprofitable, all being in disorder, through bribes, through violences, and through corruption. The Lowre itself hath taken a new face, as the Officers have done. There is nought of the old Court remaining but the walls, the use whereof is also changed, for they were wont to serve for the assurance of Princes, but now they serve for their prison, and (it may be) for yours, if I may freely say so. It is not without some plot, that they give you when you go forth, a company of light-horse-men chosen by a suspect hand. These are your Guards, after the manner of the Bastille: this distrust counseleth you sufficiently what you ought to do, and there needs no other advice. They hiss at me, they mock me and my discourse: so was Cassandra served in Homer, when she foretold the destruction of Troy. Sir, I have nothing remaining to serve your Majesty but my tongue. If I were so happy as to draw your Majesty out of the error wherein you are nourished, I would a thousand times bless my disgrace, which had given me the boldness to speak freely, yea in a time when words themselves are punished. The falsehood of the Alcoran is no otherwise authorized, then because it is forbidden to be spoken of on pain of death. Their usurpation upon your majesties authority hath no other footing, than the danger of telling you freely of it. Consider if you please, Sir, that those who usurp this power over your Majesty, are of that Country, where every one will Reign, neither is there any town on that side the Alps that hath not his Republic or petty king: And if your Majesty had somewhat yearly looked into your History, you would have learned, that the bloodiest Tragedies that ever have been in France, came from those parts, the last furies are the subject of a little book that I published, of constancy and the consolation of public calamities. I fear, that contrary to my intent, it will be a work for your Reign, if God in his goodness have not mercy upon us. Think not, Sir, that sorrow to see myself deprived of employments, induced me to speak so boldly. If I had been grieved for it, it is like married people, that weep when they must go from their parent's power, to enter into the equality of Marriage: nevertheless it is true, that owing my service unto your Majesty, I should have received greater content to have employed it in your Council of State then in your Parliament, where matters are of less importance. For I suppose, that if the Carpenter who made the carving work for the Admiral, where Don john of Austria commanded at the Battle of Lepanto, had known that it should have served for so important an occasion, whereon depended the safety of the rest of Europe, he would have taken more delight in making of it, then if it had been a Vessel ordained for comers. Notwithstanding seeing your Majesty commandeth me to retire, in a good hour be it. The lesser Stars are part of the perfection of the world, although they do contribute less than doth the Sun and Moon. In what condition soever I live, I will always to the uttermost of my power, maintain the good of your majesties service. But if there be any of those who are near you, that lament my remove, for my sake: I will tell them freely, Weep for your Children of jerusalem, that for want of courage suffered your Master to be betrayed, and not for me, that have not offended, unless, in being an honest man.. Wherefore I take my leave of you, Sir, praying God that he will have pity of your State, and care of your education.   

A REMONSTRANCE OF THE PRINCES, TO THE FRENCH KING. Dated the Fourth of FEBRVARY.  
SIR,  
YOur most Humble and most Faithful Subjects and Servants, the Dukes, Peers, ancient Officers of your Crown, and principal Lords of your Kingdom; seeing the dangers which environ you, and the evils which threaten your State with an inevitable subversion, if speedy order be not taken, and that they are denied all access unto your Person, wherewith they might freely, and securely, discover the causes, and propound the remedies thereof; do in all humility beseech your Majesty to take in good part, this their most humble Remonstrance, which cannot but well befit their mouths, sithence it doth testify nothing but fidelity and affection unto your service, to the conservation of your Sacred Person, and the good of your States. And it is by so much the more convenient, because they are thereunto obliged, both by Divine and human Laws, by the Oath which they have taken, and the duty which they owe unto your Crown. We are not ignorant, that the evil is disguised by those who do it, and who labour by all possible means to cover it, as well as commit it, still endeavouring to make those distasteful unto your Majesty, who complain thereof. And the unhappiness of France is such, that they having all the power of your Estate in their hands, they cause you to hold your faithfullest servants for Enemies. But the violence of their Tyrannical carriage is grown to that excess, that it cannot longer be endured; The complaints of it are general; every one seeth it, and feels the miserable effects; And their Artifices can no longer hinder the cries, and public grief from striking your majesties ears, and from moving your compassion to relieve your People; and your justice against the Authors of so great miseries; which every one knoweth, and openly detesteth; And by a common vow of your faithful Subjects are destined to just punishment, according to their demerits.  
The insatiable ambition, and avarice, of the marquess of Anchre, and his Wife is the only cause of the evils we are sensible of; of the disorders we see, and of that we fear most.  
This is the ulcer which hath festered, yea, spoiled the whole body of your State. It is of him only that men do complain, and of the Ministers and Executors of his violent and raging passions, and no other.  
This is the complaint of the greatest part of your Subjects, who as yet have true French hearts: who seeing themselves compassed about with fear and apprehensions, and exposed to all manner of dangers, by the intestine conspiracies which aim at the ruin of your State, do implore your justice, to protect them from the oppression and servitude, unto which those persons would make them subject; and for to free your Crown from the many disasters, which now increase to the overthrow of the same.  
The remedy (SIR) is in your own hands, and in your power, which if you do not make use of, the disease will shortly grow incurable: And therefore to shun it, the cause must be taken away, which being known unto you, there needeth now no other thing than your word only; to give order that the marquess of Anchre, with his Wife and Adherents, be chased from your Sacred Person, and from the Queen your Mother: And to give way unto justice, that it may duly punish them for those crimes whereof they are culpable touching your State.  
Every man well knoweth what deceit he hath used, since the death of the last king of most happy memory, to draw unto himself th'entire and absolute Administration of your Kingdom; to make himself Master of your Counsels, of your Treasure, of your Arms, and of your Fortresses, to dispose of your public Offices, and Charges, your Favours, and Pardons; because he would be the sole judge of Honours, and Dignities, and dispose of the life and death of your Subjects. The courses he hath taken to banish the Princes of the Blood from the Court, and to breed discord between them, are not unknown; and likewise of the rest of the Princes, Officers of your Crown, and principal Lords of the Kingdom: The practises and corruptions which he hath used to weaken and depress the authority of your Parliaments, and violently to choke the lawful freedom of their Remoustrances, imprison your chief Officers, and make a division through all the orders of your Kingdom; that he might have the whole disposing of them, and reign alone within the State, as he doth now with an insupportable presumption and insolency, supposing that nothing can resist his ambitious designs, seeing that, through extreme wrong and injustice, he hath imprisoned the first Prince of your Blood; and by this audacious Action violated the public faith of the Treaty of Loudun; upon the observation of which did depend the repose and tranquillity of your State, which he had rather plunge into the calamities of a War, then to have the mask of your Royal Authority taken from him; whereof he makes his benefit, and useth it as an Instrument, for the destruction of your most faithful Subjects.  
These things are so manifest, & his projects & guile so plainly discovered, that no doubt can be made hereof. And the strange proceedings, and violence, which he useth every day under your majesties name, against the Duke of Nevers, upon so notorious pretexts, and forged imputations, that even the voice of the people serveth for proof enough to refute them; do witness sufficiently, that the conspiracy is general, against all the Princes and Nobles of your Kingdom; who will not stoop to his tyranny, and can resist his plots, which he continually puts in execution, thereby to subvert the State.  
For what offence is the same Dukes, saving only, that he is a Prince of the most renowned Houses of your Kingdoms, one that loves his Country, seeks the peace of it, and who hath always testified his zeal unto your service, and acknowledgeth no other Authority lawful than your Majesty?  
He complaineth of some injury done him by one of his Tenants; and that in contempt of the dignity of his Office, he cannot freely exercise his charge in his Government.  
He hath prosecuted an execution of some feodal rights within his own possessions, by the ordinary means of justice, as unwilling to lose that which his Predecessors left him: Perceiving some secret enterprises, ready to be executed upon his Houses, he provided, as indeed he ought, for the securing, defence and keeping of them under your Authority, and for your service.  
These lawful and necessary causes are wrested to his rebuke; nay, are imputed to him as a heinous crime and Rebellion.  
We have seen the Declaration that hath been published against him, under your majesties name, and the reasonable conditions unto which he doth submit himself for his trial, and make his innocency appear, which being known unto us, we most humbly beseech your Majesty to be pleased to protect the same, and not to suffer it to be oppressed & violenced by the marquess of Anchre, whose outrages and offences we can no longer dissemble, because our long patience hath not hitherto served for aught else, then for to render it more audacious, and insolent; that we be no more upbraided, that our affection is so small unto your Majesty, that we are so ingrateful to our Country, so disloyal and unprofitable unto ourselves and to our Posterity, as to be silent, when we behold the prodigious favour of this Stranger, trampling thus insolently on the throat of your State, holding prisoner in his hands the first Prince of your Blood, treading under foot both Laws and Magistrates, emptying your Coffers by his profusions, consuming, your people with excessive charges, and causing your Subjects to be treacherously murdered, without any punishment at all. And for recompense of such treachery and disloyalty, conferring upon them the Governments of your places; deposing and discharging the chief Officers of your Counsels and Parlements, bereaving them of those Titles & Honours, which their Age, their Virtue, and their Deserts have purchased them; for to establish in their places his creatures, who are persons altogether unworthy, and unexperienced for the managing of your State, being men borne in bondage, and therefore enemies to all honest men, and most proper to execute his passions, what detriment soever may ensue thereby to your service, holding nothing unlawful which may advance his passionate designs.  
This is that which hath induced us, thus humbly to beseech your Majesty to consider the miserable estate wherinto your Kingdom is now brought, and to apply, by your Wisdom and Authority, the necessary remedy, which dependeth upon your own will, and not to suffer either your name, or your Arms to be employed to the effusion of your subjects blood, and oppression of your Domestical servants, for the maintaining of Strangers to their prejudice, but to banish them for ever from you: and by the chastisement and due punishment of the guilty, re-establish confidence and security in your Kingdom, repair the public Faith, which hath been broken, and set the Prince of Condé at liberty. And to the end that order may be taken by convenient means, against the disorders of your State; to cause the Treaty of Loudun to be observed; call again unto you, and into your Counsels, the Princes of your Blood, with the rest of the Princes, Dukes, Peers, and the ancient Officers of your Crown, and Counsellors of State, whom the deceased King used during his Reign, who also by natural affection, and as being particularly interessed, as strictly obliged to the conservation of your State. And then we shall have the happiness to render you in all security, every 〈◊〉 according to his Rank, Dignity, and Place, that most humble service, and faithful obedience which we owe you, and which whilst we live we will yield you, as being  
Your most humble, most loyal, and most obedient Subjects and Servants, Signed, 

Caesar de Vendosme.  
Henry de Lorraine,  
Duke of Mayenne.  
Henry de la Tour,  
Duke of Bovillon.