THE EDICT OR PROCLAMATION SET FORTH BY THE French King upon the pacifying of the troubles in France, with the Articles of the same pacification.  
Read and published in the presence of the said King, sitting in his Parliament, the xiv. day of May, 1576.  
Translated out of French by ARTHUR GOLDING.  
CUM PRIVILEGIO. Imprinted at London by Thomas Vautrollier dwelling in the Black Friars.   

THE kings EDICT UPON THE pacification of the troubles of his Realm, containing the order which his Majesty purposeth and intendeth to have kept for the maintenance of the same.  
HENRY by the grace of God King of France & Pollande, To all that are present and to come, greeting.  
WE have not desired any thing so much since it pleased God to call us to this Crown, for the singular good will and love which we bear to our Subjects: as to bring them to a perfect union and concord, and to set them again in good peace, quietness and rest. For the bringing whereof to pass, after seeking of all means expedient for the same, and after advise had thereupon by grave and great deliberation, with the Queen our most honourable Lady, and Mother, with the Princes of our blood, with the officers of our crown, and with other Lords and notable personages of our privy counsel: We have by this our continual and unrevocable Edict, said, declared, enacted, and ordained, and do say, declare, enact, and ordain, as followeth.  

I  
FIRST. That the Remembrance of all things past as well on the one side as on the other, during and since the troubles that have happened in our said Realm, and by occasion of them, shall lie quenched & dead, as things that had never been done: And it shall not be lawful ne sufferable for our Attorneys general, or any other persons public or private what so ever, to commence any action, process, or suit for them at any time, or for any manner of occasion, In any of our courts or places of justice.   

II  
WE forbidden all our Subjects, of what estate or calling so ever they be, to renew the remembrance of those things any more, or quarelously to molest, or provoke one an other in way of reproach, for aught that is past, by reasoning, twitting, quarreling, or grieving one an other in word, or deed. And we command them, to refrain themselves, and to live quietly together, as brethren, friends & fellow citizens, under pain of being punished, as breakers of the peace, and troublers of the common quiet.   

III  
WE ordain, that the Catholic and Roman religion shall be set up and established again, in all places and parts of this our Realm, & of the countries under our governance, where the excercise thereof hath been left of, That it may be freely and quietly exercised without any trouble or let. Forbidding moste expressly all persons, of whatstate, condition or calling soever they be, under the pain aforesaid, to trouble, vex, or disquiet, the ecclesiastical persons, in the celebration of their divine service, or in the enjoying & taking up of the tithes, fruits, and revenues of their benefices, and of all other rights and duties belonging to them. And our will is, that all such as in the time of these present & former troubles have entered upon the churches, houses, lands, & revenues, belonging to the Ecclesiastical persons, and do still hold and occupy the same, shall give up the whole possession of them, and let them peaceably enjoy them with such rights, liberties, & assurances, as they had before they were dispossessed of them.   

FOUR  
And to take away all occasion of trouble, and disagreement among our subjects, we have granted, and do grant free open and general exercise, of the pretended reformed religion, through all cities and places of our Realm, and through all countries under our obedience & protection, without restraint of time, person, or place, conditionally that the same places belong unto themselves, or that it be done with the good will & consent of the owners, to whom they belong. In the which towns and places, the professors of the said Religion, may preach, pray, sing Psalms, minister Baptism and the Lords supper, ask the bands of Matrimony, and solemnize marriages, publicly cathechize and read lectures, use discipline according to the said Religion, and do all other things belonging to the free & full exercise of the same. Also they may hold consistories, Synods, assemblies or counsels, as well provincial as general, So they make our officers privy thereunto in the places where those Synods shall be called and assembled. And we enjoin our said officers or some of them, to assist those general & provincial counsels. Yet nevertheless, we will and ordain, That the professors of the said Religion shall forbear the open exercise thereof in our city of Paris, & in the suburbs thereof, and within two leagues about the same. Which two leagues we have limited, and do limit to the places following: That is to wit, Saint Denis, Saint Maure de Fosses, Pont de Charenton▪ Le bourg la Royne, & Port de Nully: In the which places our meaning is that there shall not be any excercise of the said Religion. Howbeeit notwithstanding, that the professors of the same Religion shall not be sought, or sifted, for any thing that they do in their houses as concerning the said Religion, nor their children or the teachers of them be compelled to do any thing contrary or prejudicial to the same. Also they shall abstain from the said excercise of Religion in our Court, and within two leagues about it. And likewise in our lands & countries, which are on that side the mountains, saving that in those countries they shall not be sought or sifted for aught that they do in their houses concerning the said Religion. And we hope, that God will grant us the grace, to see all our subjects knit together again in one faith, Religion, and belief, by the determination of a free and holy general counsel, which is our desire and chief intent.   

V  
It shall not be lawful, to cell any books within our Realm and the countries, lands & Lordships under our obedience, until they have first been perused by our officers of those places, Or (in respect of the books concerning the said Religion) by the chambers hereafter to be ordained by us in every court of justice, to judge the causes and controversies of the professers of the Religion: most expressly forbidding the printing, publishing and selling of all books, libels and writings of defamation, as well on the one part as on the other, under the pains contained in our decrees. And we charge all our judges & officers to take good heed thereto.   

VI  
We ordain that for the burying of the dead among the professers of the said Religion, being within our city & suburbs of Paris, there shall be appointed to them the church yard of the trinity: and in all other cities and places, our officers & magistrates shall out of hand provide them places as commodious as may be: And this we command our officers to do, and to take good heed, that no offence be committed, at or by the said burials, either in our said city of Paris or else where.   

VII.  
WE intent that the professers of the said religion, shall not in any wise be constrained or stand bound by reason of any abjurations, heretofore made, or by reason of any promise, oath, or caution by them given in cases concerning the Religion, nor be molested or troubled by any kind of way for the same.   

VIII.  
IT shall be lawful for the professors of the Religion, to build & erect places for the excercise thereof, saving in Paris and the suburbs thereof, and within two leagues about the same. And the places which have been builded by them already, shall be restored unto them in such state as they now be. And whereas too serve their own turns they have builded up any Churches or houses belonging to Ecclesiastical or other Catholic persons: They shall be bound to restore them again, but yet they shall not be sought nor troubled for the stuff that they have bestowed upon them, though the same stuff were taken of the ruins and overthrows made during the present or former troubles.   

IX.  
AS concerning the marriage of Priests and religious persons that have been contracted heretofore: we nother will nor intent (for many good considerations,) that they shallbe sought or trubbled for them: but we forbidden our Attorneys general and all other our officers too speak thereof. Nevertheless, we declare that the issewes coming of such marriages, may succeed alonely in movables, and in such lands and possessions as their fathers and mothers have gotten by gift or by purchase. For we will not that those professed religious folk, shallbe enabled too inherit by direct or collateral descent.   

X.  
THE professers of the Religion shallbe bound to keep the laws that are received in the Catholic church, for marriages contracted or to be contracted within the degrees of kindred & affinity, for the avoiding of strife and suits that may ensue of it, to the decay of most of the good houses of our Realm, and to the breach of the bonds of friendship which is gotten by marriages and alliances among our subjects. Nevertheless, the professers of the said Religion shall not be troubled for their marriages made in the third & fourth degrees, nother shall the sufficiency of those marriages be called in question, nor the succession be barred, nor any quarrel be picked to the children descending of those marriages already made or to be made hereafter. And to judge of the sufficiency of marriages made and contracted by the professers of the Religion, and to decide whither they be lawful or no: if the professor of the Religion be the defendant, then shall the case be tried before the King's judge: but if he be the plaintiff and a Catholic be the defendant, than the trial of the case shall belong to the Official and ecclesiastical judge.   

XI.  
WE ordain that Religion shall make no difference nor distinction in receiving or admitting of Scholars, diseased folks, and poor folks into Universities, Colleges, Schools, Hospitals, Spitals, and public Almeshowses.   

XII.  
THE professers of the Religion shall pay all duties at their coming in, as is wont too be for the charges and offices whereby they shallbe provided for, without being constrained too be present at any Ceremony, contrary too their Religion. And if they be called upon their oath, they shall not be bound too swear otherwyze, than by lifting up their hand, and by promizing too God that they will say the truth: nother shall they be bound too take dispensation of the oaths made by them in passing of bargains and bonds.   

XIII.  
WE will and ordain that all our subjects, as well Catholics as those of the pretended reformed Religion, of what state or condition soever they be, shallbe bound and compelled by all reazonable means, too pay and yield their tithes too Curates and Ecclesiastical persons, and too all other too whom those things belong, according too the use and customs of the places, under the pains contained in our former Edicts made in the same behalf.   

XIIII.  
OUR dear and well-beloved cowsin the Prince of Orendge shallbe set again in full possession of all his lands, jurisdictions, and Lordships which he hath within our Realm, and within the Countries under our dominion. And likewise look what rights, titles, records, evidences, and writings have been taken from our said cowsin, or been conveyed away by our Livetenantes' general & other our officers, in the principality of Orendge, we will that the same be restored to him again, & that they be set and established again in the same state wherein they were before the troubles, to be enjoyed henceforth by him and his, according to the provisions, determinations, and declarations made and agreed upon in that behalf, by the late King Henry our most honourable Lord and father whom God forgive, and by other Kings our predecessors, in like case as he did enjoy them before the said troubles.   

XU.  
THE professers of the said Religion shall be bound to keep & observe the feasts appointed by the Catholic & Roman church, and they shall not work, cell, nor set forth their wares in their open shops on those days: nother shall the Shambles be open on the days wherein the eating of flesh is forbidden by the said church.   

XVI.  
IN all public Acts and Actions where any speech shallbe made of the said Religion, there shallbe used these words, the pretended reformed Religion.   

XVII.  
TOO the end too knit the hearts of our subjects the better together according too our intent, we enable as well the Catholics confederates, as the professers of the pretended reformed religion, to hold & execute all manner of states, dignities, offices & charges whatsoever, whither they be of royalty and Lordship, or of government of the Cities of our Realm, and of the Countries, lands and signories under our dominion: and we will that they shallbe indifferently admitted and received unto them, without being bound too take any other oath, or too be tied too any other inconvenience, than the good and faithful behaving of themselves in their callings, dignities, charges, and offices, and in the keeping of the ordinances of them. In the which Estates, dignities, charges, and offices, whensoever they happen too be voided▪ we as in respect of such as shallbe of our own gift or disposition, shall provide indifferently and without respect of persons▪ too place such as we may perceive too be able men too deal well in the service of us and of our subjects.   

XVIII.  
AND forasmuch as the administration of justice is one of the chief means to maintain our subjects in peace & concord: we inclining to the request that hath been made unto us as well on the behalf of the Catholics confederate, as on the behalf of the professers of the said pretended reformed Religion, have ordained & do ordain, That in our Court of Parliament at Paris, there shall be erected a chamber of two precedents and sixteen Councillors, the one half of Catholics, & the other half of the said Religion: The which officers of the Religion shall be created & erected by us to the said end, with like wages, honour, authority and prerogatives, as our other counsellors of our said Court have: so as, all pleas and controversies, wherein the said Catholics confederate, or those of the pretended reformed Religion shall be principal parties, either in sewing or in defending, in all matters as well civil as criminal, whether the said suits be made by writing, or by appeal in words, if the parties think it good, & that any of them require it, shall be heard and judged by the same chamber, with sovereignty and definitive sentence, excluding all other Courts from dealing with the same. And the same chamber so made and established as is said before, shall be appointed to our City of Poitiers, there to sit & to minister justice to our said subjects, the Catholics confederate and the professers of the said Religion, in our countries of Poyctou, Angolesme, Aulny & Rochel, after the same form and fashion, as is used in the sessions of the chamber in our Court of Parliament at Paris: & this to be done three months together every year, namely from the first day of August, till the last day of October.   

XIX.  
AND for the limitation of the jurisdiction of our Court of Parliament at Tholouze, there shallbe erected a Chamber in the city of Mountpellier made of two Precedents & eighteen Counsellors, the one half Catholics, & the other half of the said Religion. The which Catholics shallbe chosen by us out of our great Courts of Parliaments & out of our great Council: And those of the Religion shall be created and erected anew, with the same wages, honour, authority, prerogatives & pre-eminences which the Precedents & counsellors of our Court of Parliament at Tholouze have. In the which chamber shall moreover be appointed one Advocate, one Attorney general, two Registrers, the one civil & the other criminal, Vsshers, and all other needful officers, as well for the said chamber, as for the Chancery that we will erect there. All which officers shall be the one half Catholics, & the other half of the said Religion. And the said Chamber shall hear and judge (with sovereignty, peremptory judgement, & definitive sentence, excluding all other courts from dealing any further,) of all pleas & controversies moved or to be moved, wherein the said Catholics confederate or those of the pretended reformed Religion belonging to the jurisdiction of our Court of Parliament at Tholouze, shall be the chief parties in challenging & defending, in all matters as well civil as criminal, whether the said pleas be by writing or by appeal in words: if it seem good to the parties, and that one of them do require it.   

XX.  
THE like Chambers, it is our will too have erected in our Courts of Parliament at Grenble, Bordeaux, Aix, Dijon, Rouen and Britain, consisting of the number of two presidents and ten Counsellors in every Chamber, which shall be the one half of Catholics, and the other half of the said Religion. And those of the foresaid Religion by us duly created to the said purpose, shall every of them in respect of the Chambers where they shall be set, have like jurisdiction, authority & power, to hear and judge in manner and form as is said heretofore, as in respect of the jurisdiction of our Parliaments of Paris & Tholouze. And in respect of our Country of Dolpheny, the sitting of the said Chamber shall be divided, that is to wit six months at Grenoble, and other six months at Saint Marcellyne, beginning to sit first at Saint Marcellyne.   

XXI.  
ALSO we will (by manner of provision, and until such time as other order shall be taken for it by us in the general assembly of the states of our Realm, which we intent to hold) That in all judgements that shall be given upon processes moved or to be moved, wherein the said Catholics Confederate, and those of the Religion be in any wise principal parties or maintainers either by Challenging or Defending: The officers of our presidial Courts, or others to whom we shall have given power in certain Cases to judge with sovereignty & peremptorily, shall in all matters, as well Civil as Criminal, appeal too the said Chambers newly erected in our said Parliaments, every one within his jurisdiction, notwithstanding all the Edicts that concern the authority and jurisdiction of the said Presidials, from whom we have derogated, and do derogate in the respect aforesaid without prejudicing them in other things. And the said appeal, in matters Civil pertaining to the Presidialles, shall have effect too the recovery of the Appellants right, howbeit without stay of execution of the judgement given on his adversaries behalf, unless it were agreed by the Consent of both the parties, that their case should be judged peremptorily by the Court of the Presidialles. In the which case the conteint of this present article shall take no place, nor likewise in the Courts, where there are a sufficient number of the professers of the Religion, to judge of the said Cases, which thing they may do (with equal number of Catholics,) with sovereignty, and without appeal in Cases of Edicts. Nevertheless for certain Causes and Considerations moving us thereto, We ordain that the information and judgement of actions Criminal, commenced or to be commenced in the Seneschalles Court of Tholouze erected in the said city of Tholouze, wherein the Catholics Confederate, and those of the foresaid Religion shall be defenders, shall not lie in the said City, but in the next Court to the said Seneschal, unto whom we have referred and do refer the same actions from henceforth in way of appeal too the Chamber of the said City of Mountpellier.   

XXII.  
THE provosts of our right dear and well-beloved Cuszens the marshals of France, the underbailiffes, the viceseneschalles, leevetenauntes, of short Coat, and other like officers, shall judge according to the laws and Injunctions heretofore given forth for the correction of vagabonds. And as touching householders that are brought before the Provosts, and charged with matters belonging to their office, if they concern the Catholics confederate, or those of the foresaid Religion, The said officers shall be bound to call an equal number of our officers, of sufficient ability, as well of Catholics as of those of Religion, to the information and judgement of the said matters, from out of the next presidial courts, or from out of the Royal Courts in the provinces where there are no presidial courts, if there be so many of the said Religion there: or else in their steads, they shall call as many advocates, of the like sort, if they be to be found there.   

XXIII.  
IT is our ordinance, will & pleasure, That our right dear & well-beloved brother in law the king of Navarre, our right dear and well-beloved Cousin the Prince of Condey, our right dear and well-beloved▪ Cousin Monsieur d' Amuile Marshal of France, and likewise all other Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and other persons, of what state or Condition so ever they be, as well Catholics Confederate, as those of the foresaid Religion: shall enter again into their governments, charges, rooms, and offices royal, which they had before the xxiv of August. 1572. and be meintained in the enjoying of them, without driving of them too take new Commissions or Patents, notwithstanding any sentences definitive, and judgements given against them, and notwithstanding the Patents that have been obtained of those rooms by other men. Likewise they shall enter again into the enjoying of all and singular their goods, rights, titles, duties & doings, notwithstanding the judgements that have ensued by reason of the said trubles: which definitive sentences, judgements, patents & all other things that might ensue thereof, we have for the same purpose denounsed & do denounse to be utterly void & of no effect nor value.   

XXIIII.  
WE mean not by the things aforesaid, that such as have resigned their auctorities & offices, by virtue of the letters Patents of us or of the late King our right dear Lord & brother, should recover the same and take possession of them again. Howbeit that nevertheless we reserve unto them their actions against the professors and holder's of the said offices, for the payment of such sums as were agreed upon betwixt them for the same resignations. And as touching those whom private persons have driven by force to resign their rooms & offices. We give leave to them and to their heirs, to make suit by order of Law, as well against them that have used such force, as against their heirs and successors.   

XXV.  
AND if any commaundaries of the order of S. john of jerusalem, belonging to the Catholics confederate, or to those of the foresaid Religion be found to be seized by the authority of our judges: or if by occasion and under pretence of the troubles, they have in any wise been dispossessed of them by other persons: we or deign also, That full and whole surrender of them be made unto the said Commanders, & that they shallbe set again in the same state and possession of their Commmaundaries, wherein they were before the 24. day of Aug. 1572.   

XXVI.  
And as touching those as well of the Catholics confederate, as of the said Religion, which were provided of offices & were not yet admitted unto them: It is our will and pleasure, That they shall be received into those rooms, & that all necessary furderances therein should be ministered unto them out of hand.   

XXVII.  
LIKEWISE our will and pleasure is, that the said Catholics confederate shall enter again into the former possession & enjoyment of their benefices, which they had before the said xxiv. day of August: & that all such as have taken up & enjoyed the fruits of the said benefices belonging to the Catholics confederate, upon their own private authority without commandment or grant from us, shall be driven & constrained to yield them up & to restore them back again.   

XXVIII.  
AS for all controversies concerning the fines & ransoms of such as have been taken prizoners on either part during these troubles: we reserve them to ourselves & to our own person, prohibiting the parties to commence suit thereof any where else than before us, and also forbidding all our Officers and Magistrates to call any court upon those caces, or to take upon them any jurisdiction, intelligence, or information of the matter.   

XXIX.  
THE Proclamations, bills, and extents for the sales of heritage's that are sewed by decree, shall be made and set forth in places and hours accustomed, if it may be, according to our Laws: or else in open markets if there be a market where the inheritances lie: or if there be none, they shall be made in the next market that is within the division of the hundred where the adiudgement aught to be made. And the bills shall be sticked upon a post in the said marketsteds, and at the entry of the mootehall of the same place: & so shall the said Proclamations be good & available, & pass on to the preferment of the decree, without staying for any bar in law that may be alleged in that behalf.   

XXX.  
THE purchases which the Catholics confederate, or those of the said pretended reformed Religion shall have made, by authority of any others than of us, for unmovable possessions belonging too the Church, shallbe void and of none effect, And it is our ordinance, will and pleasure, that the said Ecclesiastical persons shall incontinently and without delay re-enter, and be maintained in real and actual possession and enjoyment of the said possessions so alienated, without rendering the price that was paid for them, notwithstanding the said bargains of sale, which we have broken & revoked as frustrate in this case, saving that the buyers may have recours against those too whom it shall appertain. And yet nevertheless, we will grant out our letters patents of permission to those of the said Religion, to charge and indifferently to lay upon them the sums whereunto the said Sales shall amount, that the buyers may be repaid the money by them truly and without fraud disbursed, howbeit that the said purchacers shall not commence any action for their damages and losses by their foregoing of the said possessions, but content themselves with the repayment of the monny which they laid out for the prizes of the said purchases, reckoning the fruits by them received, as parcel of the price, if the sale be found too have been made too cheap and too far under foot.   

XXXI.  
ALL disinheritings or dispossessings, be it by conveyance in life time, or by last will and Testament, done in hatred of religion or of the troubles, shallbe voided as well in respect of time past, as in respect of time to come, so as they shall not prejudice the Catholics of the Union, nor yet those of the pretended reformed Religion: provided that there be none other cause than the doings of the same Religion, and the bearing of arms. And our meaning is also, that the like be performed in respect of the disinheritings and dispossessings done in hatred of the catholic Religion. Nevertheless, the last wills and Testaments of soldiers, that have been made during the present and former troubles, as well on the one part as on the other, shall stand in full force and strength according too the order of Law.   

XXXII.  
THE disorders and outrages committed the xxiv. of August and the days next following, at Paris and in other Cities and places of our Realm, happened to our great grief and misliking. Wherefore, too show our singular goodness and well meaning towards our subjects, be it known that the widows and children of all such as were slain the same days, in what part of our Realm so ever it were, shallbe exempted from contribution of any impozitions that shallbe made by reason of lands holden in Chief or by Knights servis, (if the husbands or fathers of them were noble. And if their husbands or fathers were of the third state, that is too say of the commonalty, and therefore taylable: We for the foresaid considerations do discharge their wives and children of all tallages and impozitions utterly, for and during the space of six years next following: forbidding all and every of our officers too levy any thing of them in prejudice of this our present will and intent.   

XXXIIII.  
ALSO we do it too be known, that all sentences, judgements, arrests, processes, seizures, attachments, sales, and decrees, made, given, and done against those of the pretended reformed Religion, as well living as dead, since the decease of the late king Henry our most honourable Lord & father, by occasion of the said Religion, and the turmoils and troubles thereupon insewing, together with the executions of the same judgements and decrees, are and shall from henceforth stand reversed, repealed, and adnichilated: and we ordain that they shallbe razed and put out of the Registers and Courtrolles of our Courts as well chief as inferior. Likewize we will that all signs, tokens, and monuments of the same executions, and all books and acts of diffamation made against their persons, names, and posterities, be utterly taken away and defaced: and that wheresoever there have been any pulling down, breaking, or razing of things upon occasion aforesaid: the same shallbe made up and set in their former state, so as the owners of them may enjoy them, and dispose of them at their pleazures. The like do we will and ordain too be done for the Catholics Confederate, & namely in respect of the judgements and verdites given against the Lords of Molle, Coconas, and Hay the Lieutenant general of Poyctou. And generally we have reversed, repealed, and disannulled all processes and informations made for any manner of attempts, offences, and pretended crimes of high treazon or others: so that as well the said Catholics confederate, as also they of the Religion, and their heirs, shall enter again into real and actual possession of all and singular their goods, notwithstanding any reunion, incorporation, confiscation or forfeiture, contained in the said processes, decrees and judgements.   

XXXIIII.  
AND to the intent that by the means of our foresaid declaration, all sentences & judgements given against the late Lord of Chastilion Ammirall of France, and the executions of them may stand voided & of none effect, as things never done nor come too pass: We according too the same declaration do will and ordain, that all the said sentences, judgements, proceedings, & acts done against the same Lord of Chastilion, shallbe razed, defaced, and put out of the registers of record, as well of our Courts of Parliament, as of all other our courts of justice: and that as well the memorial of the said Ammirall, as also his children, shall continue unappaired in their honour and lands in that respect, notwithstanding that the said sentences and decrees import reunion and incorporation of the said lands too the demeans of our Crown, whereof we will 'cause a more ample and special declaration to be made too his said children, if they think good.   

XXXV.  
WE will the like to be done on the behalf of the Lords of Mountgommery, Mombrun, Briquemault, & Cauaignes.   

XXXVI.  
WE forbidden the making of any solemn processions, as well in respect of the death of our late cousin the Prince of Condie, as in respect of the journey of S. Bartilmewe, and of all other doings that may renew the remembrance of troubles.   

XXXVII.  
ALL Processes made, & all judgements & sentences given against those of the Religion, bearing arms, or being absent out of the Realm, or having withdrawn themselves out of the cities and countries thereof where they dwelled, for any other matter than the said Religion and troubles: together with all bars of pleas, and all prescriptions as well by law & order as by custom, and all seizures of fees, & escheeats & lapses, happened, done, or taken during the present and former troubles, shall be esteemed as undone, ungiven, & unhappened, & such have we declared and do declare them to be, utterly disannulling them, so as the adversary parties cannot in any wise help themselves by them: insomuch that although the professers of the reformed Religion have been heard, and have made their defence by their Proctors or Attorneys, yet shall they be set again in their former state, notwithstanding the said judgements and the executions of them: and the possession shall be given them again wherein they were, as in respect of the things done the xxiv. of August. 1572 And the above mentioned order shall take place likewise for the Catholics of the Union, since they took arms or absented themselves out of the Realm by occasion of the troubles, and for the children under age of the same sort whose fathers are dead during the troubles. Also we declare all processes made, and all judgements given during the said time, against the same parties for defaults in appearance and for outlawries, together with the executions of the same judgements, to be void and of none effect: setting the parties in the same state that they were in before, without yielding any costs or charges of the law, or without being bound too allow any amends.   

XXXVIII.  
ALL prizoners that are held in ward, whither it be by authority of Law, or otherwize, yea even in the Galleys, by occasion of these present and the former troubles, shall be enlarged and set at liberty as well on the one side as on the other, without paying of any ransom: and all bonds obligations, & cautions passed in that behalf shall stand void, disannulled, and discharged. Yet notwithstanding, our meaning is not that the ransoms which have been already disbursed & paid by such only as have been taken prizoners in the wars, should be redemanded of them that have received them. But whatsoever else hath been done & taken by way of hostility or not by way of hostility contrary to the public or particular ordinances of the chief rulers of commonalties or provinces that had commission, and have not or shall not have been avowed as well on the one side as on the other, within two months after the publication of this our Edict: they may be pursued by way of civil justice.   

XXXIX.  
ALSO we ordain that punishment be executed upon the crimes & offences committed among the persons of the same part in the time of the troubles, truces, or respite of war: unless the same doings be avowed by the chief Rulers of either part, within the same time of two months. And as touching the levying and exacting of money, bearing of arms, & other exploits of war, done by private authority & without commission: pursuit shall be made thereof by way of justice.   

XL.  
The movable goods, which shall be found in their own nature and not have been taken by way of hostility, shallbe restored to the owners, if they be still remaining (at the publication of this present Edict) in the hands of them that took them, or of their heirs: & the owners of them shall not pay any thing for the restitution of them. And whereas the movables, as well of the Catholics as of the professors of the Religion, shall have been sold & alienated by order of law, or by other public commission or commandment: they may nevertheless be claimed, so the price of them be rendered unto the buyers of them: doing to understand, that the thing which was done at Paris and in other places the xxiv. of August 1572. & in the days next following the said xxiv. of August, is no deed of hostility.   

XL.  
AS concerning the fruits of lands & possessions, every man on either part shall enter again upon his own houses and lands, & henceforth enjoy the fruits that are gathered of this present year, especially the ecclesiastical persons: notwithstanding all seizures and impeachmentes done to the contrary, during the present & former troubles. Likewise also every man shall enjoy the arrearages of rents which have not been taken by us or by our commandment & grant, or by order of justice, or by commandment of the chief Rulers of either part.   

XLII.  
THE forces and garrisons, which are or shall be in the houses, places, towns, and Castles, belonging to our Subjects, of what Religion or sort so ever they be, shall depart incontinently upon the proclaiming of this present Edict, and leave them free and whole, too the enjoying of the owners, as they had them before they were dispossessed of them. Notwithstanding any pretence of right that can be alleged by such as withhold them. For the which pretences they may have further provision, by the ordinary means of Law, after they have given up their said possession. Which thing our meaning is to have to take effect, especially in respect of the benefices, whereof the incumbents have been dispossessed.   

XLIII.  
ALL writings, papers, evidences, and assurances which have been taken, shall be rendered and restored again on either part, to those whom they belong unto, Notwithstanding that the same writings and the Castles and houses wherein they were laid up, were taken and seized, either by our special Commissions, or by the commandments of our leevetenaunts & governors, or by the authority of the chief doers of either part, or under any other pretext whatsoever.   

XLIIII.  
FREE traffic and passage shall be established again through all towns, Cities, suburbs, bridges and passages of our Realms, Contris, lands, and Lordships under our obedience and protection, as well by sea, as by land, rivers, and sweet waters, as they were before these present and former troubles: and all new tolls, taxes, and subsidies imposed by any other authority than our own, during the said troubles, shall be taken away.   

XLV.  
ALL places, Cities, and Provinces of our Realm, and of all Countries, lands and Lordships under our dominion, shall use and enjoy the same privileges, freedoms, liberties, franchises, fairs, markets, jurisdictions, and courts of justice which they had before the present troubles, notwithstanding the removing of some of the said Courts, and all writings contrary heruntoo: and the same Courts shallbe set and established again in the Cities and Towns where they were before.   

XLVI.  
AND forasmuch as we have heretofore enabled the said Catholics confederate, and the professers of the Religion too enjoy all manner of rooms, offices, dignities, and charges whatsoever, either imperial or of the Cities of our Realm, and of the Countries, lands and signories under our obedience, and to be admitted and received to them indifferently: We enable them likewise too take the charge of Attorniships, & Syndikships of the Countries, Cities and places, and to be admitted too all Counsels, deliberations, and assemblies, as well which go by election of states of provinces, as all other functions depending upon those things, & they shall not be rejected or disabled to enjoy them, in respect of their Religion or of the said troubles.   

XLVII.  
THE professers of the Religion shall not henceforth be overcharged or oppressed with any ordinary or extraordinary charges, more than the Catholics, above the portion of their lands and goods. And the parties that shall pretend themselves to be overburdened, may pled for themselves before the judges to whom the examination of those caces belongeth: and all our subjects of what Religion or calling so ever they be, shall indifferently be discharged of all burdens that have been laid upon the one side or upon the other in their absence, when they enjoyed not their goods by reason of the troubles: saving that they may not claim again the fruits that have been employed upon the payment of the said charges.   

XLVIII.  
ALSO our meaning is not, that the said Catholics confederate, nor those of the said Religion, nor any other Catholics that dwelled in the cities and places by them possessed & invaded, and which were contributories to them, shall be sewed for the payment of the tallages, helps, grants, increaces, gables, preparations, household implements, and other impositions & subsidies razed & laid upon them from the xxiv. day of August 1572. unto this present time, whether it were by our commandment, or by the advice and deliberation of the states, of governors of provinces, of courts of Parliaments, or others: for we have discharged and do discharge them thereof, prohibiting all the Treazurers of France, all the Barons of our Exchequer, all our Receivers as well particular as general, all their committees, under officers, & other attendants, and all the officers of our Revenues, to seek or sift them for it, or to trouble or disquiet them for it directly or indirectly, in any wise howsoever it be.   

XLIX.  
WE protest that we take & accept our right dear & dear beloved brother the Duke of Alaunson, for our good brother: our very dear & intierelye beloved brother in law the King of Navarre, for our brotherinlawe & good kinzman: and our right dear and well-beloved Cowsine the Prince of Condie, for our kinzman, faithful subject, and servant. Likewize also we hold and repute our dear & loved cowsin Mounsieur de Danuille Marshal of France, and all the other Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, officers, townedwelllers, commonalties, cities borrows, and the other places of our Realm, & of the countries under our dominion, that have followed, succoured, aided, & favoured them by any manner of means, for our good and loyal subjects and servants. And upon the hearing of the declaration made by our said brother the Duke of Alaunson, we hold ourselves well and sufficiently satisfied & informed of his good meaning, and that nother he, nor any of those that held in with him, or intermeddled themselves by any other means with the matter, whither they be alive or dead, have done any thing but for our servis. Wherefore we denounce all judgements, informations, and actions done and given in that behalf, too be utterly voided and of none effect, as things never done nor come too pass: and our will is too have them razed, defaced, and put out of the Registers books of record, as well of our Courts of Parliaments, as of all other our jurisdictions wheresoever they have been enrolled.   

L.  
ALSO we hold & repute for our good kinzmen, neighbours and friends, our right dear and well-beloved cowsins the County Palatine Elector of the holy Empire, and Duke john Cazimir his son: and that whatsoever hath been done by them, hath not been done but too our servis.   

LIVELY  
LIKEWIZE we denounce that the levying and bringing forth of the Swissers, and namely of the Earls of New castle and Valangin, and of others of the Cantons whatsoever they were, was not done but for our servis.   

LII.  
WHEREAS divers have departed out of this Realm since the death of the late king Henry our most honourable Lord and father, for Religion's sake, and for the troubles: although their children be borne out of this our Realm: yet notwithstanding our will is that they shallbe taken for true French, and as borne within the Realm, and such have we denounced and do denounce them to be: so as they shall not need to get them any letters of denizen, or any other provision at our hands, than this present Proclamation: notwithstanding our ordinances to the contrary, which we have derogate and do derogate.   

LIII.  
As well our said brother the Duke of Alaunson, the King of Navarre, and the Prince of Condie, as the said Mounsieur de Damuille & the other Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Officers, Corporations of Cities, Commons, and all other persons that have aided and succoured them, and also their heirs and successors, shall stand quit and discharged of all sums of money that have been levied and taken by them or their appointments, as well of our receipts and Revenues, too what sum so ever it amount, as of Cities, Commonalties and particular persons, or of the rents, revenues, ready coin or bullion, sale of movable goods belonging to the Church and Churchmen, and of woodsales of timber belonging to us, or by other fines, booties, ransoms, or other kinds of raizing of money, by occasion of these present and the former troubles: insomuch that nother they themselves, nor those whom they did put in trust too levy the said monnie. or the parties that have delivered it and furnished them of it by their appointment, shall not in any wise be sought, vexed or molested for the same, either now or at any time hereafter, but both they themselves and their Deputies, shall stand clear of all use and occupying of the said money: and in full discharge thereof, they shall within four months next after the publishing of this our present proclamation made in our Court of Parliament at Paris, brying in their acquittances made either by our said brother, or by the King of Navarre, or by the Prince of Condie, or by the Marshall Damuill, or by such as have been authorised by them, to here and close up their accounts, or by some other chief governors, & commoners of cities that have had commission & charge during the said troubles. Likewize the inhabitants of the city of Rochel and the rest of the commons shall be discharged & pardoned of all assemblies of meetings both general and particular, of establishment of justice, policy, & orders among them, and of all judgements and executions of judgements, whither it were in matters civil or criminal: and also of all acts of hostility, of levying & waging of men of war, of coining of money by the appointment of their heads, of casting and taking of ordinance & artillery, as well out of our Storehowses as of their own private store, of the making of Gunpowldre and Saltpetre, of the taking, fortifying, dismantling, and beating down of cities, Castles, Towns, and villages, of attempts & enterprises in doing thereof, of the burning and beating down of Churches and houses, of voyages, intelligences, dealings, treaties, and contracts made with any manner of strange Princes and Commonalties, of bringing in a Strangers into the Cities and other places of this our Realm, and generally of all things that have been done, wrought, or dealt in, as well by the Catholics confederate as by those of the said Religion, during the troubles present or past, since the death of our late Lord & father, though the same things be not particularly expressed and specified. And our intent is, that according too this our present declaration, the Vidame of Charters and the Vidame of Bewuoyre, are and shall continue discharged: and we discharge them specially of the treaties and dealings by them had with the Queen of Ingland in the year 1562: certifying and assuring ourselves that they did nothing in that behalf but for our servis, howbeit that no express mention have been made thereof in the former Edicts of pacification: conditionally that hereupon the said Catholiks confederate, and those of the said Religion forbear and desist from all the confederacies which they have both within the Realm and without, and from henceforth make not any levyings of money without our leave, nor any mustering of men, nor any gathering of assemblies, otherwise than is granted them heretofore, and that without weapon: which thing we prohibit and forbidden them, upon pain of being punished severely, as despisers and breakers of our laws.   

liv.  
NOTHER our Officers of the said City of Rochel, nor the Mayres, Shreefes, Bailiffs, and other inhabitants shall be vexed, molested, or disquieted for the commandments, or for the decrees foe attaching men's bodies as well within the City as without, or for the executing of their judgements following thereupon, as well in respect of certain pretenced enterprises made against the same town, in the month  December 1573, as also for a ship named the roundel, or for executing cutting of justice upon the folk wherewith the same was manned, or for any other doings: for we have fully acquit and discharged them of the same as is said afore.   

LU.  
ALL prizes that have been taken by virtue of licences and allowances given, and which have been judged by the judges of the Ammiraltie & other Commissioners thereunto appointed by the said Catholics confederate and by those of the foresaid Religion, shall lie dead under the benefit of this our present Edict, so as no suit may be commenced for them, nor the Captains, judges, Officers, or any others be in any wise troubled or molested for the same, notwithstanding any attachments, arrests, or seizures, hanging unadiudged, but our will is that they shall have writs of restitution to set them in full possession again out of hand.   

LVI.  
THE Cities that have been dismantled in the time of the troubles past & present, may repair the same ruins and dismantlings at the costs & charges of their inhabitants if they think good.   

LVII.  
SUCH of the Catholics confederate and of the foresaid Religion, as have before these present troubles taken to farm any Offices, demeans, Gables, foreign Imposts or other rights belonging to us, which they could not enjoy by cause of the troubles: shall stand discharged, and we discharge them of the things which they have not taken up by their leases since the xxiv. of August, 1572, or which they had paid without fraud elsewhere than into the receipts of our Exchequer: notwithstanding any obligations or bonds passed by them in that behalf.   

LVIII.  
AND forasmuch as the greevousenesse and long continuance of troubles within this our Realm, have put all things so far out of order, that without bringing of them to a stay again, it were unpossible to hold our subjects in so good union & agreement as aught too be among them, that they may live in quietness & rest, which hath been always our chief care and endeavour: considering that to bring the same to good pass, we could not tell how to do better, than too here the advice of our subjects through all the provinces of our Realm: we have ever since our coming too the crown, been minded too call a general assembly of the States, which thing (to our great grief) we could not yet do by reason of the troubles. Whereof sith it hath pleazed God to give an end, we continuing still in our good and holy purpose to the welfare of our subjects, do denounce and declare how it is our will & pleasure, that the said States shall generally be summoned & called together into our city of Bloys, there to make their appearance according too the good, ancient, and commendable customs of this Realm, within six months next, accounting from the day of the publishing of our present Edict in our Court of parliament at Paris: and to the same end shall writs expedient in that behalf be by us dispatched: That upon our hearing of the informations, complaints and griefs that shallbe made and exhibited to us on their part, we may take such order as we shall see requisite and convenient for the welfare of our Realm.   

LIX.  
THE said Catholics confederate, and they of the foresaid Religion, shallbe bound too cause all Garrisons too avoid incontinently after the publishing of this our present Edict, out of the Cities, Towns, Castles, and houses which they hold, belonging either too us or too any private person, and namely to any of the Clergy, and them too leave, yield up, & set again freely in the same state wherein they were in the time of full peace, before the present and former troubles. Nevertheless, for certain good considerations, we have given the said Catholics confederate & those of the said Religion, the keeping of these eight cities insewing: that is to wit, Aiguesmortes, and Beaucaire in languedoc: Perigueus le Mas de Verdune in Guyenne: Noyons & Serres both the town and the castle, in Dolphenie: Ysoire in Awuerne: and Seyne le grand tour and the circuit about it in Province. And our said brother, the king of Navarre, the Prince of Condie, the Marshal Damuille, and they to whom the keeping of those Cities shallbe committed, shall promise upon their faith and honour, to keep them well and faithfully too our use. Also there shall no governors nor garrisons be sent by us into the other Cities which they hold at this present, and are to be yielded up as is said afore, other than such as have been wont to be there at all times, yea even in the reign of the late king Henry our Lord and father. Likewise being desirous to ease our subjects of all our other Cities: we assure than they shall have none other manner of Garrison nor Governors than were wont too be there in the same time of our late Lord and father: Nother also is it our will that there shallbe any other garrisons in the castles, towns, houses, or possessions belonging too our particular subjects, of what state or calling so ever they be: than have been wont too be there in the time of peace.   

LX.  
WE prohibit all Preachers, Readers, and others that speak openly, too use any speeches, discourses, or words that tend to the stirring up of the people to sedition. And we have commanded and do command them to restrain themselves & to deal soberly, so as they say not any thing that may not be to the instruction & edifying of their hearers, and to the maintaining of the quietness and tranquillity by us established in this Realm: upon the penalties set down in our former Edicts. And we command our Attorneys general and all other our officers expressly, too set hand unto the performance thereof.   

LXI.  
OUR will, ordinance, and pleasure is, that all Governors of Provinces, Bailiffs, Stwardes of Courts, and other ordinary judges of the cities of this our Realm, shall incontinently upon the receipt of this our Edict, swear to 'cause the same to be kept and observed, every of them in their jurisdiction: and likewise also shall the Mayres, Shreefs, Headboroughs, and all other officers of Cities do, whither they be continewall or removable from year to year. Also we command all our said Bailiffs, Stewards, their deputies, and all other judges, too 'cause the chief inhabitants of their Cities, as well of the one Religion as of the other, to be sworn to the maintenance of this present Edict, within eight days after the proclaiming thereof, so as all our subjects may be put in too our protection and safeguard, and one of them into the keeping of another. The like oath shallbe made before the Bailiffs and Stewards in every of their divisions, by the Lords and Gentlemen, which shallbe bound to repair too them within the said time, in their own persons or by their Attorneys. And as in respect of officers removable, the oath shallbe renewed to them at their several entrances into their charge.   

LXII.  
AND to the end that as well our justices and Officers, as all other our subjects may be clearly and assuredly certified of our will and meaning, so as all ambiguities & doubts that may rise by means of former Edicts, may be taken away: we have denounced & do denounce that all other Edicts, letters, declarations, qualifications, Restreints, Interpretations, Determinations, & Registers, as well secret as made by deliberation heretofore in our courts of Parliament, & all other that may have been made afterward too the prejudice of this our present Edict, concerning the case of Religion and the troubles that have happened in this our Realm, are of none effect nor force: the which together with the derogations in them contained, we have utterly disannulled, and by this our present Edict do disannul, & from henceforth do repeal, revoke, and annihilate the same: expressly declaring that our will is that this our Edict shall stand sure, firm, and inviolable, and be kept and observed as well by our Officers and justices, as by our subjects, without stopping or having any respect to aught that may be to the contrary, or to the derogation of the same. And for the better performance of the execution of this Edict, and for the speedier hearing of our subjects Complaints against the incountering thereof: we will that our right dear and well-beloved Cousins the Marshals of France, shall every of them departed into the Provinces of his division, and provide with all speed for all things requisite for the maintenance and execution of the same Edict.   

LXIII.  
ALSO we command our beloved, trusty and faithful officers of our Courts of Parliament, that immediately upon the receipt of this present Edict (all other things set apart and upon pain of the adnichilating of all acts which they shall do otherwise) they take the like oath as afore, and 'cause this our Edict to be published & enrolled in our courts purely & simply word for word, without using any manner of qualificationns, restreynts, declarations, or secret registers, & without looking for any other bidding or commandment from us. And we command our Attorneys general to inquire thereof, & to sew the transgressors of this Edict immediately & without delay, after the proclayminge of the same. Likewise we charge our Lieutenants general & the Governors of our provinces, too 'cause the same to be proclaimed out of hand, every of them in his division, throughout all places and jurisdictions of their provinces, that it may be kept & observed without looking for any notification from our courts, to the intent that no man may pretend ignorance, and that all means of hostility, all levying of money, and all taking & beating down of buildings on both sides, may cease as soon as is possible. And be it known, that all such levyings of money, beatings down of buildings, takinges and catchinges of goods & cattle, and other deeds of hostility, as shall be done after the said publication and warning made & given by our Lieutenants general, shall be subject too restitution, punishment, and amendss making. For performance whereof, it is our will that they shall proceed against the encounterers of this Edict, according as the case shall needefullye require: that is too wit, against such as shall use force of arms & violence in the withstanding and breaking of this our present Edict, to hinder the effect and execution thereof, they shall proceed by the punishment of death, without hope of favour or pardon: & as for others whose incounteringe or withstanding is not with force of arms or by way of violence, they shallbe punished with other bodily pains, banishments, honourable amends, and such other like, according to the heynowsenesse of the case, at the arbitrement and discretion of the judges too whom we have committed the trial of such caces. And we charge them upon their honours and consciences in this behalf, to proceed justly and uprightly as becometh them, without respect or difference of persons or Religion. Also our will is, that all bands of men of war, as well on horse as on foot, whether they be Frenchmen or Strangers, both on the one side and on the other, (saving the companies of our guard, and the ordinary garrizons upon the fruntiers of our Realm) shall get them away homeward to their own countries and houses, immediately after the proclaiming of this our Edict in our Court of Parliament, behaving themselves gently, soberly, and with as little incomberinge of our subjects as may be, and without using any force, violence, or ransoming upon pain of death. Finally, we command our said keepers of our Courts of Parliament, the Chambers of our Accounts, the Courts of our Aids, our Bailiffs, Stewards, provosts, and all other our justices and Officers to whom it shall appertain, and their deputies, to 'cause this our present Edict & ordinance to be read, published and enrolled in their Courts & jurisdictions, and the same too maintain, keep and observe inviolably from point to point: that all men too whom these things pertain, may fully and quietly enjoy and use the same as they be here set down, ceasing and causing all encumbrances and lets too the contrary to cease. For so is our pleasure. In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our own hand, and cawsed our seal too be set and put thereto, that it may be a firm and stable thing for ever. Given at Paris in the month of May, the year of grace a thousand, fivehundred; threescore & sixteen, and the second year of our Reign.  
Signed HENRY.   

And somewhat beneath, By the King being in his Counsel.  
FIZES.  
And on the side.  
Visa.  
And sealed upon a lace of read silk and green, with the great Seal in green wax.  
Read, Proclaimed, and Registered in the hearing at the request of the King's Attorney general, in Parliament at Paris, in the king's presence sitting there, the fourteenth day of May. 1576.  
Signed, DU-TILLET.  
Likewise read, proclaimed, and enrolled in the Chamber of Accounts, in the hearing and at the request of the King's Attorney general, the sixteenth day of May. 1576.  
Signed, DANES.  
THe year. 1576. the. 16. day of May the Edict of Pacification heretofore specified, was read and proclaimed with loud voice and open cry by us Mathurin de Beynes, john Griffon, Liphard de Canlou, Michael de Pelletier, & Steven jacquet called also lafoy Riviere, Heralds of arms of France under the titles of Orleans, Alaunson, Angolesme, Guyenne, and champaign, by the express commandment of the king's Majesty, at the marble table in the Palace at Paris, at ten of the clock in the morning, at the rising of the Court: and immediately after age in at the same instant, in the Court of the same Palace, in the Chastelet, in the Townehouse, & in other accustomed places, being assisted by Peter Sudour, Gerault Chancel, Gerard Madien called also Mountain, Francis Chefdefaux, and Michael Noiret the king's ordinary Trumpeters. And the same proclamation was made afore by us Alaunson, Angolesme and Guyenne by the commandment and in the presence of the Queen his majesties mother, of my Lords the Duke of Alaunson, the Cardinal of Bourbon, the Prince of Condie, the Duke de Mountpensier, the Duke john Casimire, the Duke Memorancy, and many other Lords and Gentlemen, as well in the place and Town of Etigny, the City of Sens, & the Camp of my said Lord the Duke of Alaunson: as in the presence of the bands of the said Lord the Duke Casimire. Made the day and year above mentioned.  
Signed thus. 

Orleans.  
Alencon.  
Angolesme.  
Guyenne.  
champaign.