A necessary Discourse concerning the right which the house of Guyze pretendeth to the Crown of France. Faithfully translated out of the French AT LONDON, Imprinted for Edward Aggas. 1586. A discourse concerning the pretended right of the house of Guyze to the house of France. IT is commonly known throughout this Realm that the house of Lorraine attributeth to itself the right of the Crown of France, to the proving whereof such Chronickles and Genealogies as in the days of the late King Henry the second they falsified might easily be recovered, as also the consultations by them holden concerning their title in the time of the late King Frances the second, together with those remembrances which in the reign of the late King Charles the ninth, yea and even unto this day have been scattered among the people, still advancing by such devices their practises and devices, according as the subversion of this poor Estate doth seem to grow on by means of Civil Wars where through the lawful Prince's power being diminished, the sinews weakened and the path to novelties prepared, they have promised to them selves place in their pretended seat, by thrusting forth of those whom they account usurpers. These matters having many times been opened to their Majesties, they have been so far from believing them to be other than slanders invented upon some similitudes of truth by such as maliced or envied this family, that the same notwithstanding, they have committed into their hands as well the weapons as authority royal: yea, and under pretence of Romish Religion have permitted them to practise Leagues in this Estate, that is, to prepare their factions and partakers to the first occasion, and as it were to make trial of the Crown upon their heads, which have so heartened some Doctors of Sarbonne that they have presumed in argument to grant that a Prince or King failing in his duty to the Romish Church, may by the same be dispossessed of his Crown: yea and some Munckes to the contempt of the King and derogation of the Princes of his blood, have preached forth the praises of those undertwigges or borgeons (as they term them) of Charlemaigne, admonishing their auditors to cast their eyes upon them, as upon the perfect restorers of the Church and Estate, all which notwithstanding, no man hath had regard thereto, or controulled such presumption, as if the fortune of this Realm were grown fatally to be dismembered in these our days, and that properly by this family. To the end therefore to cut off all doubts and manifestly to enter into consideration and notice of this matter, I am most humbly to beseech my Lord the King and all Princes which have the honour to appertain unto him diligently to peruse a Book entitled the Genealogies of Lorraine & Bar which 〈◊〉 lately printed at Paris, wherein they shall even word by word find the same to have been published at this time to the only end to instruct every one in the pretended right of the house of Lorraine to this Crown, and of such injury as they suppose that the house of France doth unto them, thereby to prepare the people against that alteration, which they imagine to be at hand, shall fall out. But because the volume is large, the poison diversly dispersed through all parts, cloaked and covered under sundry fables, I have thought good herein word for word to examine and note the principal points and grounds thereof. This Book is written in Latin by one Frances of Roziers' of Bar-le-duc Archdeacon of Thoul in Lorraine, and dedicated to my Lord of Lorraine: which also to the end it may have the more free passage is printed with the Kings Privilege by one William Chaudier a Printer. To come therefore to the matter. It is evidently known that since the Francons first inhabited France by them surnamed Gaul, we have had three stocks of Kings to reign over us. viz. Merovingians descended of Merovee, Carlinghes proceeding from Charlemaigne, and Capetz whose posterity doth yet reign in our Kings: as also it is not unknown that the Lorraines do pretend to the Crown as heirs to Charlemaigne, but if this Author may be believed the same is to them due, even from the Croyan horse, whereof Merovee and his posterity defrauded them before any of these three families had interest therein, so as by that Law which saith there is no prescription against the Church or Prince all our Kings from the first to the last have been usurpers, and the true heir to the French Crown remained in the family of the Dukes of Mosellane from whom the house of Lorraine do fetch their original. These are the Author's very words in the third Book Capital jest 44. 45. etc. Pharamont who first brought the Francons into France, had by his wife Basine daughter to the K. of Thuring sundry children of whom the eldest was Clodio le Chevelu or the hairy: This Clodio among the rest had two sons Ranchair and Alberick. Ranchair had three sons Ranchair the second, Richer and Rainald, who long time kept the Country of Cambray against the merovingians, but were in the end subdued by the power of Clovis K. of France, who with his own hands murdered them as before he had done their father Ranchair the first. Thus fell the right of eldership to Alberick the second son of Clodio, who notwithstanding he was K. of the East Frenchmen, did not nevertheless succeed his father Clodio because Merovee had gotten the Crown. This poor Alberick after his father's decease retired into the lands of Aussois, Moselle, and Arden, etc. where so well as he might, he kept himself out of the way from their fury. Again. Consider with yourselves the case of this poor Prince, who being of the Royal family was not only deprived of his Realm, but also through the cruelty of Merouce, who sought utterly to root out the race of Clodio, forced to hide himself: wherefore he withdrew himself to Montz in Henault, there to expect the issue of the tyranny of Merovee and his posterity, after he had in vain had recourse to the army of Attila for his re-establishment. But if you ask him of whence this Merovee the usurper of the Crown from the predecessors of the Lorrains, and the first original of our Kings of France was, he was (saith he) a bastard to Clodio, or as others affirm a Capteyn or kinsman of his, who by Clodio himself being made tutor to his children in respect of their youth, defrauded the pupils of their estate. Then he goeth on and saith: Vaubert descending from Clodio by this Alberick, was overthrown by Clotaire K. of France, who was in fear lest he should obtain the Crown, but was forcibly again restored by Thierry K. of the Ostrogoths. Likewise that this offspring of Merovee, namely the race of Clovis seeing Ansbert the son of Vaubert to be a man of great hope, seeking to establish their Kingdom, endeavoured to put him to death, but he being secretly conveyed away was carried to Room, where he was brought up with the Emperor Zeno. To be brief, that still they lived in danger of their lives until the marriage of the said Ansbert unto Blitild K. Clotair the seconds daughter, of whom issued Arnold Duke of Mosellane, to whom as well for the said alliance, as also that they found their Realm reasonably established, they showed themselves more courteous. Wherefore now mark after what sort he bringeth the house of Lorraine now living to the succession of this Clodio and his son Alberick, and so consequently of their rights and titles. From Alberick he leadeth us as it were by a direct line unto Arnolph the son of Arnould and Doda the daughter of the K. of Saxony, who among the rest had two sons: The first Clodulph and Anchises the younger: From the first he bringeth the Dukes of Mosellane and Lorraine, and from the other Charlemaigne and his posterity in this manner. Clodulph Duke of Mosellane, whose Country was greater than all Lorraine. Anchises Clodulphes younger Brother married Begghe Daughter to Pepin of the lands Duke of Brabant by whom he had. Martin. Pepin Heristell, and so successively. Eleuthere, died without issue. Charles Martel son to Pepin Heristell by Alpaide his Concubine. Lambert son to Martin & brother to Eleuthere. Pepin the Short. Frederick. Charlemaigne. Sadigere. jews the Meek. Rainier the first Duke of Lorraine, not hereditary, but invested by Charles the simple in the said Duchy. Charles the Bald. jews the Stammerer. Gilbert, eldest son to Rainier. jews the fourth. Lothair. Henry, died without issue jews the 5. died without issue. Bona daughter to Ricint second son to Rainier and brother to Gilbert married to Charles D. of Lorraine. Charles D. of Lorraine, brother to Lothaire, & uncle to jews the fifth after his nephews decease without issue was defrauded of the Crown by Hugh Capet, married Bona daughter to Ricint Wherefore. Bona, daughter to Ricint descended of Clodulph the elder son of Clodios family, who pretended themselves to be rob of the Crown by Merovee and his posterity. married Charles D. of Lorraine descended of Anchises the younger family of Clodio, of whom are come Charlemaign and his offspring. Thus do we by their saying see the line of the elder house of the Clodios, which had long been preserved in the Dukes of Mosellane & Lorraine fallen here to the distaff, so as at this day there appear no other of this stock but the same which is grafted into the younger. That is, the line of To this Charles brother to Lothair & the first that obtained the inheritance in the Duchy of Lorraine, after the decease of his brother jews belonged the Crown of France by his succession to Charlemaigne: Also because he married Bona the Daughter of Ricint the two rights do Clodio into the house of Charlemaigne, by this marriage of Bona unto Charles Duke of Lorraine of whom came Ottho, Gerberghe and Hermingarde. Gerberghe in her first marriage was joined with Rainier Earl of Montz and in second with Lambert Earl of Louvain, & Hermingard was married first to Albert Earl of Namure, whose posterity do yet live, saith he, in the houses of Lorraine and the Capetz. But because Hugh Capet obtained the Crown, the house of Lorraine pretend themselves to be the only aftertwigges & burgeons of Charlemaigne and in the right of Charles aforesaid, even from Clodio the Crown of France. Howbeit, sith they can not deny but this Ottho the only son to Charles seem to join in the issue of this marriage, viz. the right pretended by the Dukes of Mosellane against the Merovingians, who, as is aforesaid, seem to have deprived the Clodios, and the right of the house of Charlemaigne, which so long time and so peacealy they had enjoyed: which two rights and titles (to take away all difficulties) do together comprehend whatsoever may be required: namely, the propriety belonging to Bona by the succession of Clodulph, the elder of the family of the Clodios and the possession fallen into the house of Charlemaign from the line of the said Charlemaigne, drawn from Anchises the younger house of the Clodios, and thus should these two rights and titles belong to the children begotten of the died without issue, and so consequently his titles & pretences with him, let us see how in their Genenealogies they patch up this breach. said Charles and Bona, and their posterity whom this author feigneth those of the house of Lorcaine to be. Ottho then, saith he, son to Charles and Bona being invested in the Duchy of Lorraine by the Emperor, whose part after his father's example he took, seeing himself out of hope of children, did by the said emperors consent adopt for his son Geoffrey le Barbu Earl of Arden and brother to his mother Bona daughter to rescind, or, as others say, his brother's son, who so restored the masculine line of Clodio in Lorraine. viz. the son of rescind the son of Rainier, etc. descending from Clodulph the eldest son of that family, as is aforesaid: And thus shall we find the two titles united in the person of Geoffrey le Barbu: that is, the right and title of the Clodios as being from them issued, & the right of Carlinghes or issue of Charlemaigne, as being by Ottho Duke of Lorraine adopted into that house. Whereby in case any of the titles be called in question, they may choose to which they will cleave. And thus consequently they follow on from father to son in this manner. Geoffery le Barbu coming of Clodio by Ricinde Rainièr, etc. and adopted by Ottho Duke of Lorraine and son to Charles had issue. Gothelo, who had Geoffrey the 4. who had Geoffrey le Bossue, or with the crouched back, who died without issue, leaving to succeed him one only sister named Itte, by whom both the titles aforesaid of the Clodios and Carlinghes fell to the Distaff, who married (say their Chronikles) with Eustace Earl of Boulogne, whom the said Geoffrey adopted into his succession. Thus again because here also is interruption, they supply their want with an other adoption as before, saying that Geoffrey le Bossue did by the consent also of the Emperor adopt this Eustace for his son in consideration of his marriage with his sister Itte, and then by this adoption they mean to give to understand that the titles and pretences of the house of Clodio are into him and his heirs grafted and incorporate. And further for avoiding the objection that might be propounded: namely, whether the titles and rights of the Clodios were not in so long process of time extinguished, especially sith the Pope's intermeddling and using their authority have declared the said Charlemaign and his of spring to be lawful Kings of France, they do again for the uniting of these two families of the Clodios and Carlinges bring in this Eustace to be of the issue of Charlemaigne both by father and mother in manner following. By his father Eustace with the clear sight by a Daughter to Charles the bold. Charlemaigne. jews the Meek. Charles the bold. Judith, Daughter to Charles the bold and wife to Balduin le ferréé Earl of Flanders. Baldwin the bald. Al●●●ce surnamed Ha●equin, brother to Baldwin the third Earl of Flanders. Rainier. Guydo. Baldwine. Eustace with the clear eye. Eustace Earl of Boulogne husband to Itte. By his mother Mary daughter to Henry Earl of lovayne by Gerbergghe Daughter unto Charles Duke of Lorraine whom Capet rob. Charlemaigne. jews the Meek. Charles the bald. jews the Stammerer. Charles the Simple. Baldwin the third. jews the fourth. Charles D. of Lorraine, as aforesaid, whom Capet overcame and defeated of his hope. Gerbergghe Daughter to Bona and Charles aforesaid, and sister to Otho, which Bona (say they) was of the race of Clodio. This Gerbergh married Lambert le Barbue Earl of Lovayne father to Mary mother to Eustace Earl of Boulogne. Thus, by their account, do this Eustace of Boulogne by adoption come to be heir to the family and titles of the Clodios, and both by father and mother is inheritor to the house and rights of Charlemaigne, that is, to the Crown of France. Also to the end we may the more plainly perceive the Author doth not in vain pretend the noting of these Genealogies, but hath some subtle drift, he showeth himself to be often and much offended because we will not credit this Genealogy of Eustace, as in these words. This is the Genealogy of Eustace, whereat many do repine, for in troth both by father and mother he is descended from the house of Charlemaigne. Again, in an other place he saith: Some do dissemble this, meaning to infer that Eustace proceeded not from so high a degree, but I would such slanderers might be punished as they deserve. Out of this marriage of Eustace Earl of Boulogne and Itte came four sons. Godfrey of Buillon, Baldwin, Eustace and William, who all each after other were Dukes of Lorraine, and the first at his voyage into the Holy land took the arms which yet they bear: Howbeit, the three first dying without issue (notwithstanding the annals of Lorraine do attribute some to Baldwin) the succession returned to William Baron of joninuille the fourth son and his posterity thus. In an other place the author bringeth in the matter more In his summary before the 4. tome. plainly. viz. that Geoffrey with the back dying without issue adopted Godfrey of Buillon son to Geoffrey the 4. son to Gothelo. etc. that is to say, proceeding directly from the line of the Clodios and his own father. Eustace Earl of Bologne husband to Itte. William his fourth son Baron of joninuille and heir to his three brethren. Theodoricke his son. Simon the first. Matthew the first. Simon the second died without issue, or made them Religious persons. Frederick the first, brother to Simon. Thibault the first died without issue. Matthew the second brother to Thibault & youngest son of Frederick. Frederick the second. Thibault the second. Frederick the third. Rodulph. john. Charles the 2. who by Margaret daughter to the Emperor Robert had Isabella married to Renee Duke of Anieow, Calabre and Provence. And here failed the line male of Eustace Earl of Boulogne and his rights do fall by the Distaff into the house of Anieow, by the successors of this Renee of the blood of France, as descending from jews of Anieow son to King john the second. Then do follow: Antony Duke of Lorraine and Bar. etc. Frances, son to Antony. Charles the 3. now Duke of Lorraine. Renee D. of Anieow husband to Isabella heir of Lorraine. john son to Renee. Nicholas son to john who died without heirs or friends. Yoland daughter to 〈…〉 of Anieow and Isabella, who the said Renee being overcome in war and taken by Philip of Burgundy unto whom Antony Earl of Vaudemont was associate, for his freer delivery out of prison permitted to marry with Frederick the son of the said Antony. Frederick Earl of Vaudemont husband to Yoland Duchess of Lorraine. Renee their son D. of Lorraine by his mother & Earl of Vaudemont by his father, whom Charles the 8. forbade to take upon him the title of King, had 2. wives, the first, daughter to the Earl of Tankaruill whom for barrenness he forsook, the second Philip daughter to Adolph D. of Gelderland by whom he had 12. children: among the rest. claud, Earl of Guyze. Frances, Duke of Guyze. Henry now Duke of Guyze. Thus is the Duchy of Lorraine at this present in the house of Vaudemont. Now after so many alterations of the house of the Clodios into the masculine line of the Carlinghes by the marriage of of Bona: from the line of the Carlinghes to that of the Clodios by the adoption of Geoffrey le Barbu: out of the line of le Barbu into that of the Earls of Boulogne by the marriage of Icte: from the Earls of Boulogne into the house of Anieow thorough the marriage of Isabella: Also out of that of Anieow into the house of Vaudemont by Yoland: All these beautiful shows and royal pretences might seem to have benè spilled with so often pouring out of one vessel into an other, as being, even long since, no further question of the Clodios or Carlinges by either the father or mother's side, but only of the house of Vaudemont. But, to take away these difficulties: those of Vaudemont now Dukes of Lorraine and Earles or Dukes of Guyze are yet (say they) of the house of Charlemaigne: namely, because they say themselves to be come of the house of the Earls of Alsatzs, they from the Emperor Conrade, and he of the race of Charlemaigne. That all this is rehearsed to some intent. viz. to waken and stir up the pretences of those of Lorraine against the blood of our Kings comen from Capet, the author doth in his proceed sufficiently show. For as he hath to his power contemned Merovee the head of the merovingians, by whom they say themselves to be defrauded of the Realm of France before the same was in 〈◊〉 hatched 〈…〉 not likewise abstain from declaiming against High Capet, and blemishing his whole posterity. This Capet (saith he) was a Tyrant, who upon Charles D. of Lorrayn and his issue usurped by force and fraud the Crown of France, and not content with the imprisoning him at Orleans, did miserably put him to death with his children jews and Charles whom he had by his second wife Agnes. If you ask him of his original, in lieu that he draweth the others ready crowned out of the belly of the Trojan horse, be fetcheth in Ottho great uncle to Capet from a Witichind banished out of Saxony, and bringeth him into France upon a Curtal with one only varlet and a Cloakebagge. Yea, he taketh such felicity in often repeating this story, that it seemeth (if it lay in him) he would soon have brought our Kings to the same train. Also, as in his Epitaphs made upon pleasure and added to the end of his Book, he bringeth in this Albericke Duke of Mosellane whom he pretendeth to be rob by Merovee, speaking in these verses. Quaeres Alberi, Quae fata parant fili Tantum dissidium ne imperio patris, Illustratus agas quod rapiunt truces. Meruingi? So doth he also induce Charles Duke of Lorraine unploring the aid of all Christian Princes against Capet and his of spring in these words. Huc huc adeste ●ortes quique principes Huc aduolate quaeso, Reges ac Deuces. Ecquis feret vestrum fati insolentiam? etc. Capetus ille inuasor Regni Gallici Lothario Francorum Rege mortuo Heu! me satum quidem antiqua prosapia: Quondam illius magni ac Insinis Caroli, Armis volens procul expellere. etc. The conclusion whereof is unum mihi superest ut vindicem Deum, Expectem in hisce a●gustijs. As if with Dido in Virgil he would say Exoriare aliquis nostris ex ossibus ultor. I will here omit infinite other speeches which he overthwarteth to the misprision of the race of the Capets, likewise his pretendings to Anieow, Province, Naples, etc. prejudicially to this Crown, which also he striveth for so much as he may: But the commendations which with the contempt of our King he attributeth to the Guyzes of our time may not be dissembled. The affairs of France (saith he) had good success under the government of the Cardinal of Lorraine: but after his decease Henry now reigning grew out of favour with his subjects, because that soon after the Cardinal of Guyze had anointed him, giving himself to his pleasures he ruled all things after his own fancy, which are the means to effeminate and abase a King's heart, & thus began France to be wrinkled and every thing to run into ruin. Speaking of the late Lord Prince of Conde, he did saith he, all that he might to attain to the tyranny. Also, after the death of King Frances the second be and his associates were suffered to departed without correction. Neither doth he of the King's late brother or the King of Navarre speak much more modestly. But whereto all this, except to the end to declare the King through his negligence, and the Princes of his blood for their supposed Rebellion for ever unworthy the Crown: Also that as their Preachers have sufficiently cried out, every one may in these miseries, which unto man are as spurs to novelties, cast their eyes upon these pretended after twigs or burgeons of Charlemaigne. Howbeit, herein I have only undertaken to open the Author's purpose in his Book, as also the intents of those that procured it to be printed, and whosoever will take the pain to read it may find much more: Nevertheless, lest any should deceive themselves, I will briefly in few words examine the grounds of this succession. He fetcheth his Dukes of Mosellane out of the Trojan horse with the Francons. In what credible History hath he found it? He maketh Albericke Duke of Mosellane son to Clodio le Chevelu, and defrauded of the Realm by Merovee: where can he show that? except in a few supposed Genealogies of Lorraine: notwithstanding toward the end of his fables he quoteth many Authors to make a show, who all speak never a word thereof. But what will he say to those Histories that make Merovee the son of Clodio? or how could he be other than the eldest, sith he was of age sufficient to be tutor to Alberick: And which is more, how can Albericke complain that Merovee rob him of the Crown of France, when (if we will believe the best Historographers) Merovee was the first Francon that ever bare title of King in France? But let us grant them all their fables from Clodulph Duke of Mosellane unto Bona wife to Charles Duke of Lorraine, yet how could the marriage of her bring to him Clodulphes right to the Crown, when the Salic law which was originary French and made with the Counsel of Pharamont excludeth the female from the succession thereof? Or admit Charles Duke of Lorraine was wrongfully defrauded of the succession of Charlemaign by Hugh Capet and his posterity, yet descending they will grant that Ottho his only son died without issue: but if contrary to the Salic law, they will admit daughters to succeed, let them show us some reason why the house of Lorraine should be preferred before our Kings, sith themselves hold opinion that they all descended of one and the same daughter? But if they will hold them to Geoffrey le Barbu Earl of Ardenne whom Ottho adopted, what need they bring in these daughters? Besides, where find they this adoption, or in what Court was it ever exemplefied? yea, or how dare they avow that it was then purposed to extend to the Crown of France: And as for that of Eustace of Boulogne, who seeth not therein manifest fraud, sith themselves 〈…〉 neither author nor title, yea, and are even 〈…〉 who Godfrey of Buillon was, also 〈…〉 were he or Eustace whom Geoffrey le 〈…〉. Where also they labour to prove that this Eustace was both by father and mother discoured of Charlemaigne, to what purpose may it serve, 〈…〉 was but by daughters, unless, in subverting the Satick law, to habandon this Realm for a pray, not to the Lorraines only, or to the Ardurous, but also to all the families in Europe that have been allied to the house of France? Moreover, although Isabella married with Renee of Anieow and Poland with Frederick Earl of Vaudemont, yet who can affirm that thereby they transported to their heirs of Lorraine or Guyze the rights of Clodio and Charlemaigne, which themselves were not capable of, neither did transport, although they had had the same? These therefore are but fables wherewith in the mean time they feed the people blemishing (so much as in them lieth) our Salic law, as false and purposedly invented. Moreover, notwithstanding all their pretences (which are most false) were true, yet after that an Estate is established in a family by lawful calling and approbation of the Commonwealth and people, and that for so many hundred years, it is a manifest token that God (against whom it is in vain to strive, and to whose decree all people ought to condescend) hath transferred such a Realm or Estate into that family. But because many an evident right hath decayed for lack of power, and many a wrong hath prevailed against right through default of strength to authorize the same, the especial point consisteth in debarring them from accompanying their fraud with force, especially with our own, as many times have fallen out through the calamities of Civil wars which do yield the people unpatient of their present estate and starveth them after novelties. This discourse have I thought good to direct to your Majesty, not for yourself only, but also for others that have great interest therein, and to whose lot it will peradventure fall to have the deciding of this quarrel, or else to leave it overstrong for their successors, unless they before take order for the same. And I beseech God to grant them good counsel to his glory, the preservation of their greatness and the benefit of the poor people. Amen. FINIS.