THE KING'S EDICT AND DECLARATION UPON THE FORMER Edicts of Pacification. PUBLISHED IN PARIS AT THE PARLIAMENT HELD the xxv. of February. 1599 AT PARIS, By the Printers and Stationers ordinary to the King. 1599 Cum privilegio dictae Maiestatis. LONDON, Printed by R. F. for Thomas man.. 1599 THE KING'S EDICT AND DECLARATION UPON THE FORMER EDICTS OF PACIFICATION. HEnrie by the grace of God, king of France and Navarre, to all that are present and to come, greeting. Amongst the infinite benefits which it hath pleased God to bestow upon us, this may well be accounted and esteemed as one of the most rare and notable, namely that it hath pleased him to give us the grace and power to undergo and bear out the hideous and dreadful monster of troubles, confusions, and disorders, which were rife and overflowed this whole Realm at our coming to the Crown, as being then divided into so many parties and factions, and that in such sort, as that the most loyal and natural part, was in a manner the least: and withal in such sort to have opposed and strengthened us against such boisterous blasts of stormy tempests, as that we have in the end overrid and overcome them, arriving at the length in the haven of the safe deliverance and peaceable quietness of this estate. Of all which let God have the whole and only praise and glory, and we so stirred up, provoked, and bound to him thereby, as that we may never surcease or give over the offering up of ourself, in all the best manner of service we can, for the perfecting & full accomplishing of this worthy work: wherein his hand and power hath been most clearly and manifestly, showing itself unto the sight of all men, giving us to bear and undergo, not only so much as our place and ability did require, but much more and far above the same; and that in such sort and measure, as (our dignity considered) in any other time would have been very unmeet and inconvenient: as never fearing to hazard therein our princely renown, by the free exposing of our limbs and life so oft unto so many dangerous occurrences accompanying the same. But now whereas we have found it unpossible to settle and bring into good order so confused a heap and multitude of so great, so weighty, and so dangerous affairs and businesses at once, and at one time: we have thought good to take this course, namely to attempt in the first place, such things as could not but by force & might be achieved, reserving for a better time the other, which ought and might be determined by reason and course of justice. As (for example) the general quarrels that then reigned amongst our good subjects, and the particular mischiefs and injuries lying upon the soundest and most trusty parties of our kingdom, all which we judged much more easy to be redressed and cured, when the civil wars (the original & cause of continuance of the same) should be cut off and taken away. Now we having (by Gods assisting hand) well and prosperously prevailed herein, to the utter extirpation of wars and all manner of hostility out of all the corners and quarters of our realm, we hope with as good success to compose and set in order the matters as yet out of square and order, that so we may attain the full establishment of a firm peace and settled quietness, which hath always been the scope and drift of all our desires and resolutions; and the price we aimed at in all the pains and travels which we have undertaken throughout the whole course of our life. Now amongst the affairs and matters with patience and continuance of time to be remedied (& that one of the chiefest and most principal thereof) were the complaints, which we received from many of our provinces and Catholic towns, for that the exercises of the Catholic religion, were not generally again established, according to the Edicts heretofore made for the pacifying of the troubles, which had risen and sprung from the cause of Religion. As also the supplications and admonitions offered unto us by them of the pretended reformed religion, as well concerning the default & lack of due execution done of that which hath been granted unto them by virtue of the aforesaid Edicts, as also for that they desired, that there might furthermore be added unto the said Edicts, the establishment of the exercises of their said Religion, the liberty of their consciences, & the safety and security of their persons and goods, presuming that they had just matter to draw them to the entertaining of some new and great conceits, by reason of the last troubles and disturbances, alleging that the principal drift and occasion thereof, was plotted and laid to entrap and wholly to overtread them. Which things (that we might not overcharge ourself with multitudes of businesses at one time, as also in as much as the raging heat of wars did gainsay and hold out all establishment of laws, (how good, wholesome, and necessary soever they might have been) we have still deferred from time to time to provide for. But now, seeing it pleaseth God to give us to enjoy some better quietness and rest, we have judged that the same cannot better be employed, then to make it our leisure and liberty, to respect and take in hand the things concerning his glory and holy worship, and to provide that he may be honoured and served of all our subjects: and that (though it please him not to have it after one manner of form, and in one kind of religion, it may be at the least to one and the same intention, and with such a carriage, as may be free from all manner of troubles and tumults that otherwise would rise amongst them; and that we and this our Realm may evermore deserve and conserve the glorious title of Most Christian, which hath so long since for so manifold our merits & deserts been purchased and obtained; and by the same means take away the cause of mischief and trouble, which may rise upon the matter of religion, as being the thing that always moveth the heart and eyes more than all other things beside. For this cause we (having considered the weightiness of the matter, and that it deserveth with all carefulness to be looked into, and having again received the humble requests and supplications of our Catholic subjects, as also having permitted our said subjects of the pretended reformed Religion, to assemble together by their Deputies to make theirs ready, and to enclose together and shut up in one, what they have to say or allege for themselves, and about the same matter to confer with them diverse times; and having further perused the said former Edicts thoroughly) have thought it meet to frame a general, plain, upright or indifferent and absolute law concerning the whole matter, in the behalf of all our subjects, that by it they may be ruled in such controversies, as heretofore have risen amongst them hereby, or which hereafter might rise amongst them, and whereby both the one and the other may find matter to content themselves withal, as far forth as the time (considered as it is) will bear. And this our resolution and mature deliberation, we have undertaken nothing at all in respect of ourself, but in respect only of the zeal which we have for to see God served: and that it may from henceforth make, procure, and establish amongst our subjects a sound and lasting peace. For the which we beseech and still wait upon his divine Majesty, craving and expecting the like protection and favour, which he hath continually in most clear and manifest sort vouchsafed this Realm, from since the time it first was, and throughout all that long tract of time that it hath continued: & that it would likewise please his Majesty to show our subjects such favour and grace, as that they may learn to understand, that in the observing of this our ordinance, consisteth (next to that which they own to God and to us) the principal foundation of their unity and concord, tranquillity and rest, and of the entire re-establishing of this estate in his former glory, wealth, and mightiness. And as for ourself, we promise to cause it to be exactly observed, without tolerating or bearing with any manner of encounter or resistance. For these causes having (with the advise of the Princes of our blood, & other Princes & officers unto the Crown, and other great & notable personages of our Counsel of Estate, being about us) well and diligently weighed and considered all the whole matter, we have by this our perpetual and irrevocable Decree pronounced, declared, & ordained, do pronounce, declare, and ordain: I. First, that the remembrance of all things passed of the one part and of the other, from the beginning of the month of March in the year 1585. unto our coming to the Crown, and during the other troubles going before, and by the occasion of them, shall remain for dead and buried, and as things that never were. And it shall not be lawful or permitted unto any of our Attorneys general, or any other persons whatsoever, public or private, at any time, upon any occasion that may happen, to make mention thereof, or to implead or accuse any for the same in any of our Courts or jurisdictions whatsoever. II. We forbidden likewise all our subjects, of what condition or quality soever they be, to renew the remembrance aforesaid, by multiplying of words, by stomacking, wronging, or provoking of one another, with the reproach of any thing that is past, upon any cause, pretext, or colour whatsoever, in disputations, protestations, or any manner of quarrels, neither yet to miscall or offend by word one another, about any word or deed before past: but to contain themselves and to live peaceably together as brethren, friends, and fellow citizens, upon pain for offending herein, to be punished as breakers of the peace, and disturbers of the public quietness. III. We ordain, that the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Religion shall be restored and established again in all the places of this our Realm & countries under our jurisdiction, where the exercise of the same hath been neglected, there to be freely and peaceably exercised without any manner of molestation or impeachment. Forbidding most expressly all manner of persons of what estate, quality, or condition soever they be, upon the penalty above named, to trouble, molest, or disquiet the Priests in the celebration of the divine service, or of the enjoying and reaping of their tenths, fruits, and revenues of their benefices, and all other rights and duties belonging unto them: and that all those which in the time of the troubles have been taken away, as Churches, houses, goods, or revenues, belonging to the said Ecclesiastical persons, and that those which do withhold and occupy the same, do surrender the whole possession and peaceable fruition in such rights, liberties, and assurances as they had them before that they were dizseized of the same. In most plain terms also forbidding those of the said pretended reform Religion, to make any Sermons, or other exercise of their said Religion in the Churches, houses, and habitations of the said Ecclesiastical persons. FOUR It shall be in the choice of the said Ecclesiastical persons, to buy the houses and buildings erected in places profaned by them which occupied them during the time of the troubles, or else to constrain the possessers & owners of the said buildings to buy the grounds, & in both cases estimation to be made by such as are wise and skilful therein: in such sort, as that the parties may agree and conclude together: & if they cannot be brought to agreement amongst themselves, than the judges of those places shall determine the whole matter; the owners their aid and help always reserved unto them, against such as it may concern or belong unto. And in case where the said Ecclesiastical persons shall compel those in possession to buy the ground, they (the said Ecclesiastical persons) shall not receive the price of the valuation, but it shall remain in the hands of the possessed, and they still stand answerable for the same, and for the profit for the same, after the rate of a penny in twenty, until such time as the same shall be employed for the profit of the Church: and this likewise to be procured within the space of a year. And if it happen that the same time be expired, and the money not employed, and that the occupier of the same will not keep it any longer at the said rend, he shall be discharged thereof in paying the same over to any man that is able to pay the principal and the rent, having authority from a justice, and warrant for that which he shall do therein. And as concerning the holy places, there shall order be taken for them, by the Commissioners which shall be by us ordained and appointed for the executing of this present Edict, having been before by us instructed what to do in this point. V And yet notwithstanding the grounds and places occupied and employed about the repairing and fortifying of the towns and other places of our Realm, as also the matter employed that way, shall not be to be challenged or redemanded by such Ecclesiastical persons, or else any other either public or private, except at such times as the said reparations and fortifications shall be pulled down by our appointment and ordinance. VI And to the end that there may not be left any occasion of jar or trouble amongst our subjects, we have permitted and do permit those of the said pretended reform religion, to live and dwell in all the towns and places of this our Realm, and countries under our jurisdiction, without any manner of examination, vexation, molestation, or compulsion to the doing of any thing in the matter of religion, contrary to their conscience, & not to be searched or ransacked, in the houses and places where they mind to abide and dwell, so that they carry themselves in all other their demeanour according to that which is contained in this our present Edict. VII. We have likewise licenced all Lords, Gentlemen, and other persons aswell inhabiting this our Realm as others making profession of the said pretended reform Religion, having in our kingdom and countries under our jurisdiction, the privilege of a justice of life and death, or a fee in Knight's service (as in Normandy) whether he hold it as proprietary thereunto, or as one having right and interest unto the revenues of the same, in the whole, or in the half, or by the thirds, to have in such their houses of justice of life and death, or in their see of Knight's service (which yet they shall give the names & notice of unto our bailiffs & Lieutenants, every one in his place of their principal dwelling house) the exercise of the said Religion, both whiles they are there resident themselves, as also their wives or family, or any part thereof when they are absent. And in case the title of this their tenure bearing to sit as judges upon life and death, or the title of a whole Knights see, be called in question, and stand in controversy in the law, notwithstanding the exercise of the said Religion may be there kept; provided that the parties aforesaid be actually possessed of the said house, bearing such commission of sitting as judge in matters of life and death, although our Attorney general be a party therein. We further also permit and allow them, to have the said exercise in their other houses privileged with the authority of sitting as judge in matters of life & death, or being a Knight's fee, for the time they shall be resident thereupon themselves, and not otherwise: and all this to be understood & construed in the behalf of themselves, their family, subjects, and whatsoever others that will resort thereunto. VIII. In the houses of those which have a see, where they of the said Religion have not the privilege of high justice, or of a Knight's fee, they may not have the said exercise but for themselves only and their family. We mean not notwithstanding that if there come in other persons to the number of thirty besides their own family, whether it be upon occasion of Baptism, the visiting of their friends or otherwise, that then they may be searched: except on the other side, that the said houses be in the towns, boroughs, or villages belonging to the Lords Catholics high justices, & those, others than ourself: and wherein the said Lords Catholics have their places: for in such case those of the said Religion may not in the said towns, boroughs, or villages exercise the same, except it be with the good leave and licence of the said Lords high justices, and not otherwise. IX. We permit likewise those of the said Religion, to hold and continue their exercises, in all the Towns and places within our jurisdiction, where it was established and exercised by them publicly & many and diverse times in the years 1596. and 1597. unto the end of the month of August, notwithstanding any judgement or sentence contrary thereunto. X. In like manner the said exercise may be established and re-established, in all the Towns and places where it hath been established, or aught to be by the Edict of Pacification made in the year 77. or by the particular articles, and conferences held at Nerac and Flex: without any impeachment unto the said establishment in the places of demain, granted by the said Edict, Articles and Conferences, for the places of Bailiwicks, or which shall so be hereafter, notwithstanding that they have been since then aliened and sold away to Catholics, or shall so be in time to come. And yet our meaning is not, that the said exercise may be established again in the places of the said demain, which have been heretofore possessed by them of the said pretended reform religion, where it hath been planted only in consideration of the safety of their persons, or because of the privilege of the Lordships, if the said Lordships be found at this present to be in the possession of such persons as are of the said Catholic Apostolic Romish Religion. XI. Furthermore in every of the ancient bailiwicks, Lieutenantships, and governments standing in stead of a bailiwick, & being to have chief and principal places in the Courts of Parliament, we ordain, that in the Suburbs of some one Town besides those which have been granted unto them by the said Edict, particular Articles and Conferences: and where there is no such Towns, in some one borough or village, the exercise of the said pretended reform Religion may be publicly used for all such as will go thereunto, notwithstanding there be in the said Bayliwiks, Lieutenantships, and governments, many places where the said exercise is already established: excepted from hence the said place of Bayliwike newly agreed upon by the present Edict, and the Towns wherein there lieth any Archbishop or Bishop: and that without any thing letting, but that those of the pretended reformed Religion, may demand & name for the said place of their said exercise the boroughs & villages near unto the said Towns: excepted also the places and Seignories belonging to the said Ecclesiastical persons, as wherein we do not mean that the said second place of Bailiwike may be established, having excepted and reserved the same of our special grace and favour. It is our pleasure and meaning, that by the name of ancient bailiwicks be understood those which were in the time of the deceased King Henry our most Honourable Lord & Father in law, held and taken for bailiwicks, Lieutenantships, & governments of chief and principal place in our said Courts of Parliament. XII. It is not our meaning by this present Edict, to derogate or take away any thing from the Edicts & Agreements made heretofore, for the reducing of certain Princes, Lords, Gentlemen, and Catholic Towns under our jurisdiction, in that which concerneth the exercise of the said Religion: which Edicts and Agreements shall be maintained and kept in this respect, according as it shall be declared by the instructions given the Commissioners which shall be appointed for the execution of the present Edict. XIII. We expressly forbidden all them of the said Religion, to use any exrcise of the same, either by way of the Ministry, Government, Discipline, or public instruction of children or others, in this our Realm and countries under our allegiance, in any thing concerning religion, except in the places permitted & granted by this present Edict. XIIII. As also to use any exercise of the said Religion in our Court & train, neither likewise in our lands & countries beyond the mountains, neither yet in our City of Paris, or within five leagues of the said City: notwithstanding those of the said Religion, dwelling in the said coasts and countries beyond the mountains, and in our said City, and within the compass of five leagues round about the same, shall not be searched in their houses, nor forced to the doing of any thing in the matter of Religion contrary to their conscience: so that they demean themselves in other things according as is enjoined than in this our present Edict. XV. In like manner the public exercise of the said Religion may not be used in wars, except in those quarters whose Chieftains are professors of the said Religion, and yet furthermore it is to be understood, that those quarters must be others than that in which we shall lodge in our own proper person. XVI. Following the second Article of the conference of Nerac, we permit them of the said Religion, to build places for the exercise of the same, in the Cities and places where liberty and licence is granted unto them for the same: and further, such places as they have heretofore to that end builded, shall be restored unto them, or else the grounds whereupon they stood, in such state as it now standeth: Yea though they be in such places as they may not be suffered to use the exercise of their Religion except they be translated and changed into the nature of other buildings. In which case the possessors of the said buildings, shall give unto them rooms and places of the same price and value that they were of before they were in that manner by them translated, or the just valuation of them in money at a rate set down by such as are skilful. Reserved always unto such proprietaries and owners, whatsoever aid or succour which the law may any way offord them against any whom the matter may concern. XVII. We forbidden all Preachers, Readers, and all others which use to speak in the places of public assemblies, to use any words, discourses, or argument tending to the stirring up of the people unto sedition: having rather enjoined them, we do again enjoin them, to carry and behave themselves modestly, not uttering or speaking of any thing but what may tend to the edification and instruction of the hearers, and to the maintenance of the peace and tranquillity by us established in this our said Realm, upon the pains and penalty set down in the former Edicts. Giving express charge and commandment unto our general Attorneys and their substitutes, to give information according to their office, against such as shall oppose themselves by contrary practices in this point, upon pain themselves to answer in their own persons, and of deprivation from their offices, for failing therein. XVIII. We forbidden in like manner all our Subjects, of what condition or quality soever they be, to train or draw by force or secret and subtle suggestions, the children of the said Religion, to cause them to be baptized or confirmed in the Catholic Apostilike Roman Church, contrary to the good liking of their parents. As likewise the same inhibitions are to be extended to them of the said pretended reform Religion: and that a like to both, upon pain of being punished for examples unto all others, that they may beware to do the like. XIX. Those of the pretended reformed Religion, shall not be any way tied, or stand bound by reason of abjurations, promises & oaths which they have made heretofore, or for any suretyship which they have entered into in respect of the matter of the said Religion, neither shall they be molested or troubled any manner of way at all for the same. XX. They shall in like manner be enjoined to keep and observe the Festival days, appointed in the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church, neither may they upon those days work, sell, or show wares in their open shops, neither likewise may handicrafts men work out of their shops, either in chambers, or in their houses shut close to them, upon the said Festival days or any other prohibited, in any occupation or craft, which may make a noise to be heard without by such as pass by, or yet of their neighbours. In which case also there shall not any search be made but by such as are appointed officers for the executing of justice. XXI. The books concerning the pretended reformed Religion, may not be printed and sold publicly, but in the Cities and places where the public exercise of the said Religion is permitted. And as for other books which shall be printed in other Cities, they shall be seen and perused aswell by our officers as Divines, as is appointed by our decrees and ordinances. We expressly forbidden the printing, publishing, and selling of all books, scrolls, or writings, defamatory, and tending to the taking away of any man's good name, upon the pains and punishment contained in our decrees and ordinances: enjoining and charging all our judges and officers to be diligent in the executing of the same. XXII. We furthermore ordain, that there shall not be made any distinction or difference (in respect of Religion) in the receiving of Scholars to be instructed & trained up in Universities, Colleges, or schools, or of the sick and poor, in receiving of them into Hospitals, houses for the diseased, or public alms houses. XXIII. Those of the pretended reformed Religion, shall be bound to keep the laws of the Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church, received in this our Realm, concerning the matter of marriages already contracted or to be contracted, as also concerning the degrees of consanguinity and affinity. XXIIII. In like manner those of the said religion shall pay the duties of entering, as it is accustomed for the charges and offices which shall be discharged for them, without being constrained to give their attendance about the executing of any ceremonies contrary unto their said religion: and being urged to an oath, they shall not be bound to make any other, then to hold up their hand, and to swear and promise to God, that they will speak the truth: and again, they shall not be bound to take any dispensation for oaths passed by them in matters of bargains, and obligations. XXV. We will and ordain, that all those of the said pretended reform religion, and others which have taken party with that side, of what estate, quality, or condition soever they be, be bound and tied by all good and reasonable ways, and upon pain of such punishment as is contained in the Edicts made for that purpose, to pay and discharge the tenths to the Curates and other Ecclesiastical persons, and to all others to whom they belong and appertain, according to the use and custom received in the places of their abode. XXVI. Disinheritings or deprivations, whether in state of life, or in matters disposed of by will and testament, coming only of hatred, or for the cause of religion, shall not take place either for the time past, or that is to come amongst our subjects. XXVII. To the end that the affections of our Subjects may be so much the better and more firmly knit together, as our purpose is, and to take away all discontentments that may ensue: We declare all them which do or hereafter shall make profession of the said pretended reform religion, capable of holding and exercising all manner of Estates, dignities, offices, & public charges whatsoever, be they royal, signiories, or of the cities of our said realm, countries, lands, and dominions under our allegiance, notwithstanding all such oaths as have passed to the contrary, and to be indifferently admitted and received there into. And as for our Courts of Parliament and other judges, it shall be sufficient for them to inform & inquire of the lives, manners, religion and honest conversation of them which are or shall be invested with offices, as well of the one religion, as of the other, without taking of them any other oath, then of well & faithfully serving the king, in the executing of their charges, and keeping of his ordinances, as hath from all time been observed & used. And when any vacation falleth out of any the said Estates, charges, and offices, as for such as shall be in our gift and disposing, it shall therein be held indifferent for us to appoint thereunto any manner of persons, as capable thereof without distinction, as being a thing so greatly making for the firmer uniting of our subjects. We mean likewise that those of the said pretended reform religion may be admitted and received into all manner of counsels, consultations, deliberations, assemblies & functions, concerning the things aforesaid, it being no bar or prejudice unto them, to keep them for enjoying of the same, because they are of the said religion. XXVIII. We ordain for the burying of the deceased of those of the said religion, that there shall speedy provision be made through all the cities and places of this realm, and in every place thereof by our Officers and Magistrates, or else by those Commissioners which we shall depute for the execution of the present Edict, of some one place or other, in such convenient sort and manner as possibly may be. And such Churchyards as they had heretofore, and are now deprived of, shall again be restored unto them, except it fall out, that at this present they be furnished with buildings, of what quality soever, & then in such case there shall others be provided for them freely without any their costs or charges. XXIX. We enjoin and straightly give in charge unto our said Officers, that such diligence and endeavour be used in the said matter of burying places, as that through their negligence there may not any scandal arise to any. And to come more particularly & nearly to the point, be it known to such Officers, that it shall be their parts, within fifteen days after request made, to provide for them of the said religion a convenient place for burials, without any further detracting of time or making of any delay, upon pain of losing five hundred Crowns, to be recovered of their proper and private persons. It is likewise forbidden the said Officers, and all others to exact or demand any thing for the conducting & bringing of the said dead bodies unto the said places, upon pain of being condemned as extortioners. XXX. And to the end that justice may be administered unto our subjects, without any suspicion of hatred or favour (it being one of the principal means for the nourishing of peace and concord) we have ordained, and do ordain, that in our Court of Parliament of Paris, there shall be established one Chamber or Court, consisting of a Precedent and sixteen Counsellors of the said Parliament, which shall be called by the name and title of the Edict-court or Chamber, and they shall be not only to deal in the causes and suits of those of the said pretended reform religion, which shall be within the ordinary reach of the said Court, but also with the judgements of our Parliaments of Normandy & Britain, according to the authority which shall hereafter be attributed and granted unto the same by the present Edict: and this to be continued until in every of the said Parliaments there be established a Court for the doing of justice in the places suing thereunto. We further ordain, that of the four Offices of counsellors in our said Parliament of Paris, standing and established according to the form & manner of the last institution and appointment made by us, there be presently provided & received into the said Parliament four of them of the said pretended reform religion, such as are sufficient and capable of the same, and that they be bestowed or placed, the chief and principal in the said Court of the Edict, and the other three according to the measure of gifts granted them into the three Courts of Inquirie: & further that for the two first offices of lay Counsellors of the said Court that shall fall void by death, there shall likewise be provided two of the said pretended reform religion, and the same taken in and placed: the like course shall be taken in the two other Courts of Inquirie. XXXI. Besides the Court heretofore established at Castres', for the precincts and liberties of our Court of Parliament at Tholosa, and which shall be continued in the estate it standeth, we have for the same considerations ordained, and do ordain, that in every one of the Courts of Parliament of Grenoble & Bordeaux, there shall be likewise established a Court, consisting of two Precedents, the one a Catholic, and the other of the pretended reformed religion, and of twelve Counsellors, six whereof shall be Catholics, and the other six of the said religion: the which Precedent and Counsellors Catholics shall be by us taken and chosen out of the bodies of our said Courts: and as for them of the said religion, there shall a new creation be made of one Precedent and six Counsellors for the Parliament of Bordeaux, and of one. Precedent and three Counsellors for the Parliament of Grenoble which with the three Counsellors of the said religion, which are already in the said Parliament, shall be employed in the said Court of Dolphinie. And the said Offices shall be created with a new creation, having allowed them the same fees, honours, authorities and pre-eminences that others of the said Courts have. And the syad seat of the said Court of Bordeaux shallbe in the said city of Bordeaux, or at Nerac, and that of Dolphin and Grenoble. XXXII. The said Court of Dolphin shall determine the causes of those of the said pretended reform religion, being within the products and liberties of our Parliament of Provence, without having need to sue out any writs for the removing of the causes, neither yet any other letters of confirmation, than such as are to be had in our court of Chancery in Dolphin: as also those of the said religion of Normandy and Britain, shall not be bound to sue out any writs of removing of causes, neither yet other letters of confirmation, than those which are to be had in our court of Chancery at Paris. XXXIII. Our subjects of the said religion of the Parliament of Burgundy, shall have their choice to have their matters pleaded and heard either in the court ordained in the Parliament of Paris, or in that of Dolphin. And accordingly shall be acquitted and freed from suing out their writs of remove and letters of confirmation from any where else, then in the said courts of Chancery of Paris or Dolphin, according as they themselves shall think good. XXXIIII. All the said Courts composed and appointed as aforesaid, shall determine and judge with sovereign authority and unavoidable sentence, by judgement uncontrolleable by any others of the suits and controversies raised or to be raised, in which those of the said pretended reform religion shall be the parties principal, or the warrants in demanding or defending: & that in all manner of matters, either civil or criminal, whether the said suit be by writ or extemporal appeal, and that if it so seem good to the said parties, and the one of them require the same before protestation made in the cause, in regard of the removing of the suit: excepted notwithstanding all matters of benefices, the personages not impropriate, ecclesiastical patronages, and all other such causes as wherein shall be handled the rights and duties or revenues of the Church, all which shall be handled and judged by the courts of Parliament, the said Assemblies and courts of the Edict having nothing to do to take acknowledgement of the same. As likewise it is our will and pleasure, that for the judging and deciding of causes criminal, which shall happen betwixt the said Ecclesiastical persons, and those of the said pretended reform religion, if the Ecclesiastical party be defendant, in such case the trial and judgement of such causes criminal shall belong unto our sovereign & high Courts, denying all dealing therein unto the said courts of the Edicts: and where such Ecclesiastical party shall be plaintiff, and the party of the said religion defendant, the trial and judgement of such criminal cause shall appertain by appeal, and with power of absolute & definitive sentence to be determined of, in the said established Courts of the Edict. The said courts likewise shall hear and examine in vacation times such matters as by the Edicts and ordinances are allotted & appointed to be heard and examined of the said established courts in vacation times, every one in his precinct and jurisdiction. XXXV. The said court of Grenoble from henceforth shall be united and incorporated to the body of the said court of Parliament, and the Counsellors and Precedents of the said pretended reform religion, called Precedents and Counsellors of the said court, and so held and accounted of the rank & number of the same: and for these purposes they shall be first disposed of & placed in the other Courts, and after drawn out from them to be employed and do their service in such courts as we shall ordain anew: and withal in the places of their charge where they shall be assistant, they shall have a voice and seat in all the consultations which shall be held by the officers of the courts assembled and come together, and shall enjoy the same fees, authority and pre-eminences with the other Precedents and counsellors of the said court. XXXVI. And further it is our will and intent, that the said Courts of Castres' and Bordeaux be reunited and incorporated in the said Parliaments, after the same manner that the others are, when need shall be; and that the causes moving us to make such establishment shall cease, and shall not have any more place amongst our subjects: and for the same purposes the Precedents and Counsellors of them of the said Religion shall be called and held for Precedents and counsellors of the said Courts. XXXVII. There shall be likewise created and ordained anew in the Court ordained for the Parliament of Bordeaux, two Substitutes of our Attorney and Advocate general, of which our Attorney shall be a Catholic, and the other of the said Religion; and these shall be invested with the said offices & competent fees allowed thereunto. XXXVIII. The two said Substitutes shall not take upon them any other quality or condition, but that of Substitutes, and when the Courts ordained for the Parliaments of Tholosa and Bordeaux shall be united & incorporated unto the said Parliaments, the said Substitutes shall be placed in the offices of counsellors in the same. XXXIX. The dispatch of writs out of the Chancery of the Court of Bordeaux, shall be in the presence of two of the Counsellors of the said Court, whereof the one shall be a Catholic, and the other of the said pretended reform Religion: in their absence one of the Masters of the Requests of our said Town House, and one of the Notary's Secretaries of the said Court of Parliament of Bourdeaux shall keep residence in the place where the said Court shall be established, or else one of the Secretary's Ordinaries of the Chancery to sign the writs of the said Chancery. XL. We will and ordain, that in the said Court of Bordeaux, there shall be two chosen out and appointed Registers of the said Parliament, the one in Civil and the other in Criminal causes, which shall exercise the said charges by virtue of our Commissions, & shall be called Commissioners for the Register Court Civil and Criminal, and therefore shall not at any time be cast out or disannulled by the said Registers of the Parliament: & yet notwithstanding they shall be bound to render the profit and commodity of the said Register Court unto the said Registers or Clerks. Which said Commissioners shall be rewarded by the said Registers as shall be adjudged and thought meet by the said Court. Furthermore there shall be ordained Sergeants that are Catholics, which shall be taken in the said Court, or from elsewhere, according as we shall think it best: besides which, there shall also be two of the said religion newly ordained & freely provided for, & all the said Sergeants shall be ruled by the said Court, aswell in the discharging and dividing of their charge and business, as of the profits & commodities which they ought to take. There shall likewise be given forth Commission for a Payer of fees, and for a Receiver or Collector of the fines and amercements of the said Court, for to have such a one provided as we shall think good, if the Court be kept any where else then in the said City. And the Commission heretofore granted unto the paymaster of the fees for the Court of Castres', shall take his full and entire effect: and there shall be joined unto the said charge, the Commission of the receipts of the fines and amercements of the said Court. XLI. There shall care be had for the good and sufficient appointment of fees for the officers of the Courts ordained by this Edict. XLII. The Precedents, Counsellors and other Catholic officers of the said Courts, shall be continued as long as possibly may be, and as we shall see it to make for our service & the good of our subjects, & in this time of thus bearing with and tolerating of the one, there shall provision be made of others to succeed them in their places, before their departure, and therewithal in such sort, as that during the time of such their service, it shall not be lawful for them to departed or be absent from the said Courts without leave granted, by them which shall be judges in the causes concerning the ordinance. XLIII. The said Courts shall be established within six months, during the which time (if the establishing thereof do stay so long before it be brought to pass) the suits risen or to rise, in which those of the said religion shall be parties, and of the jurisdiction and within the precincts of our Parliaments of Paris, Roan, Dion or Renes, shall be removed into the Court already established at Paris, by virtue of the Edict made in the year 1577. or else into the great Counsel, at the choice and liberty of those of the said religion, as they themselves shall require. Those which shall be of the Parliament of Bordeaux in the Court established at Castres', or in the said great Counsel, as they themselves shall think good: & those which shall be of Provence in the Parliament of Grenoble And if the said Courts be not established within three months after the presentation and setting forth of this our present Edict, than such of our Parliaments as shall have refused, shall be forbidden to examine and judge of the causes of those of the said religion. XLIIII. Suits not yet judged but depending in the said Courts of Parliament and great Counsel of the quality aforesaid, shall be removed, in what estate so ever they stand in the said Courts, every one to the Court within the jurisdiction and liberties wherein they dwell (if either of the parties of the said religion do so require) within four months after the establishment of the same: and as for those which shallbe discontinued and are not in estate to judge (the said of the religion shall be enjoined to make declaration upon the first notice and signification which shall be given them of the action in law, and the said time past,) they shall not afterward be any more admitted to make their said appeals or removes. XLV. The said Courts of Grenoble and Bordeaux, as also that of Castres' shall keep the forms and styles of those Parliaments within whose precincts they are held, and shall sit in equal number of the one and of the other religion to judge, if the parties amongst themselves agree not to the contrary. XLVI. All judges to whom directions and order shall be given, for the executions of definitive sentences and final judgements, Commissions of the said Courts and letters obtained in the Chaunceries of the same, as also all Sergeants shall be bound to execute the same, and the said Sergeants to do all their business and matters of execution throughout our Realm without demanding any Placet, Visa ne pareatis, upon pain of suspension from their estates, and of the charges, damages, and costs of the parties, the determination of which point shall appertain unto the said Courts. XLVII. There shall not any appeals be granted for any causes, the determining whereof belongeth to the said Courts, except in matters concerning the Ordinances: and then such appeal and remove shallbe to the nearest court established, following our Edict, and the dividing of the suits of the said courts shall be judged of in the next adjoining, the proportion and form of the said Courts observed, wherein the suits shall be commenced and laid: the court of the Edict in our Parliament of Paris excepted, where the suits divided shall be divided in the same court by the judges which shall be by us named by our particular letters directed to that end, if the parties do not rather desire to stay the renewing of the said Court. And if it happen that one and the same suit be divided into all the Courts half divided, the dividing shall be removed to the said Court of Paris. XLVIII. The appeals which shall be made from any Precedents and Counsellors of Courts half divided, shall be judged by the number of six, to the which number the parties shall be bound to refer themselves, for otherwise it shall proceed, any manner of appeals to the contrary notwithstanding. XLIX. The trial of Precedents and Counsellors newly elected and made in the said Courts half divided, shall be made in our Privy Counsel, or by the said Courts every one in his place, when they shall consist of a sufficient number: & notwithstanding the oath accustomed, shall be by them taken in the Courts, where the said Courts shall be held: and if refuse thereof be made, then in our Privy Counsel; except those of the Court of Languedoc, which shall take their oath at the hands of our chancellor, or in the same Court. L. We will and ordain, that the receiving and admittance of our officers of the said religion, be judged and determined in our Courts half divided by the greater number of voices: as it is accustomed to be done in other judgements; so that there shall not be any need that the affirmative voices, or approving judgements be more than two thirds, following the ordinance, which for that cause we will to be abrogate. LI. There shall be made, handled, and contrived in the said Courts half divided, such questions, consultations and resolutions, as shall appertain to the public peace and quietness, and as may concern the particular estate and civil government of such cities as the said Courts are held and kept in. LII. The Article of the jurisdiction of the said Courts, ordained by this present Edict, shall be followed & observed, according to his form and tenor: yea even in that which doth concern the executing, or not executing, or the breaking & infringing of our Edicts, when they of the said religion shall be parties. LIII. The under officers Royal or others, whose admittance belongeth unto our Courts of Parliament, if they be of the said pretended reform religion, shall be examined and admitted in the said Courts, that is to say, those within the liberties of the Parliament of Paris, Normandy, and Britain, in the said Court of Paris; those of Dolphinie and Provence, in the Court of Grenoble: those of Burgundy in the said Court of Paris or Dolphinie, as they shall think best themselves: Those of the liberties of Tholosa, in the Court of Castres': & those of the Parliament of Bordeaux in the Court of Guyenne, no oppositions, or parties making by others being to be used, besides our attorneys general and their substitutes, and those which are already settled in the said offices: & notwithstanding the oath accustomed, shall be taken by them in the Courts of Parliament, which shall have nothing to do with their admittance, and in case of refusing to take their oath in the said Parliaments, the said officers shall take their oaths in the said Courts, after the taking whereof they shall be charged to present by some Sergeant or Notary the act of their admittance to the Registers of the said Court of Parliament, and with them to leave a copy thereof conferred and examined with the original by the said Registers, whose duty it is to register the said acts, upon pain of paying all the parties costs and charges: and where the said Registers shall refuse to do the same, it shall be sufficient for the said officers to bring back the act of the said breviary dispatched and sent away by the said Sergeants or Notaries, & to cause the same to be registered in the Registers court of their said jurisdictions, there to have recourse unto the same, upon pain of the disannulling of their proceed & judgements. And as concerning the officers, whereof there hath not been accustomed any admittance to be made in our said Courts of Parliament, in case that they to whom it belonged did refuse to proceed to the said examination and admittance, than such officers so refused shall withdraw themselves from out of the said Courts, till such order be taken for them as shall belong thereunto. liv. The officers of the said pretended reform religion which shall hereafter be appointed to serve in the body of our said courts of Parliament, great Counsel, court of Accounts, court of Aides, in the office of the Rolls, of the general Treasurers of France, or as other officers of the fines; shall be examined and admitted into the places where they were wont to be: and in case they be rejected and refused or justice denied unto them, then and in such case they shallbe provided for by our Privy Counsel. LV. The admitting of our Officers made in the court heretofore established at Castres', shall continue and abide of force, notwithstanding whatsoever sentences, judgements or ordinances passed to the contrary. The admitting also of judges, Counsellors, Elects, and other Officers of the said religion made in our privy Counsel, or by Commissioners by us ordained, for the refusal made by our courts of Parliament, courts of Accounts, and courts of Aides, shall stand and continue in force, and that as full and absolute, as if they had been made in the said courts, by the other judges to whom the admittance doth appertain, & their fees shall be answered & allowed by the court of Accounts, without any question or doubt made of the same. And if any such have been razed or crossed out, they shall be re-established and put in again, without further need of having any other command then this present Edict, and without any showing of any other admittance by the said Officers, notwithstanding whatsoever judgements passed to the contrary: for they shall be to no more end, then as if they had not been, & void of all force and effect. LVI. And during the time that the fines and amercements of the said courts shall come short of answering and defraying the costs and charges of the Officers of justice in the said Courts, there shall be by us appointed a sufficient allowance for the discharge of the said costs, without any levying of any such moneys upon the goods of condemned persons. LVII. The Precedents and Counsellors of the said pretended reform religion before admitted into our court of Parliament of Dolphin, and into the court of the Edict incorporated into the same, shall continue and enjoy their places and degrees before enjoyed in the same, that is, the Precedents, as they have enjoyed them heretofore, and do at this day enjoy them, and the Counsellors holding on according to the decrees and ratifications made them in our privy Counsel. LVIII. We declare and pronounce, all sentences, judgements, proceed, seysures, sales & decrees, made and granted against them of the said pretended reform religion, whether living or dead, since the decease of the late deceased King Henry the second our most honourable Lord and father in Law, by reason of the said religion, tumults and troubles since then befallen, as likewise the executions of those judgements & decrees, from this day forward to be extinct, revoked, & disannulled, & the same do extinguish or frustrate, revoke and disannul. We ordain that they shall be razed & taken from the Registers of the court of Registry, as also out of whatsoever other courts, whether High and Great, or Inferior and lower ones. As we will likewise that there be taken away and defaced, all the marks, notes and monuments of the said executions, books, and diffamatory acts against their persons, memory, and posterity, and that the places wherein hath been committed and performed any pulling down, ruining, or razing for this occasion, be restored in such estate as they were, unto the proprietaries and owners of the same, to hold, enjoy, and dispose of the same as liketh them. And generally, we have frustrated, revoked, and disannulled all proceed and informations made against whatsoever enterprises, pretended crimes of high treason, and others, which proceed and judgements, containing reuniting, incorporation, and confiscation notwithstanding, we will that those of the said religion, and others their followers and heirs do re-enter into the real and actual possession of all and every part of their goods. LIX. All manner of proceed past, and all definitive sentences and judgements pronounced during the troubles against them of the said religion, which have carried arms, or withdrawn themselves out of our realm, or within the same, into the cities and countries by them held, and that for no other matter then for their religion and the troubles sake: as likewise all manner of suits left off long ago, all prescriptions, aswell grounded upon the law, as agreed upon by covenants, or confirmed by custom, and all seizures made by the Lords upon Manors or Lordships falling in the time of the said troubles, or through lawful impediments, caused through the same, as the just examination thereof by our judges, shall better make to appear, shall be accounted as not done, pronounced or come to pass: and we have declared and do declare them for such, and have passed them over, and still do pass them over for nothing, and that without leaving any hope to the parties of ever relieving themselves in those cases, by any manner of means: and the rather, seeing it is our will and pleasure that such things should be restored unto the same estate, wherein they stood in former time (the said judgements & executions of the same notwithstanding) and such possession as they enjoyed, again given unto them, and that for the same regard and consideration. And this ordinance shall furthermore in like manner take place, in respect of others which have taken party with them of the said religion, or which have been absent out of our realm because of the troubles. And as concerning the children that were under age, of such persons as were of the aforesaid quality, and died in the time of the troubles, we restore them, viz. the said children unto the same estate and condition that they were in before time, without redeeming of the same, or being bound to disburse any thing for any fines or amercements imposed upon the same. And yet we mean not, that the judgements passed by the judges, Precedents, or any other the inferior judges against such of the said religion, or such as have followed that side, and taken parties with them, should stand void, if they were passed by the said sitting in the towns possessed and held by them, and whereunto they might have free access. LX. The judgements passed in our courts of Parliament, in matters, the examination, hearing, and determining whereof appertained to the Courts ordained by the Edict of the year 1577. and the Articles of Nerac and Flex, and in which courts the parties have not willingly proceeded, that is to say, have alleged and propounded means of evasion, and shifts to have avoided them, or else have had them ministered directly unto them, through default and want of appearance, as well in matters civil as criminal, notwithstanding which shifts, the said parties have been constrained to continue their course of trial: shall likewise be made void and of no force. And in consideration of judgements passed against those of the said Religion, which have proceeded willingly and without seeking how to be freed from the same, such sentences shall stand and abide: and yet nevertheless without prejudice of the execution for the same, they may (if they have any mind thereunto) find relief by petition, such as is used in civil causes before the courts ordained by this present Edict, so that the time limited by the ordinances be not too far spent to their prejudice: and again until such time as the said Courts and Chanceries of the same be established, appeals made by word or writing, and entered by them of the said religion before the judges, Registers, commissioners or executioners of the said definitive sentences and judgements, shall have like effect, as if they were relieved by the Prince's letters patents. LXI. In all inquiries that shall be made, for what cause soever it be in matters civil, if the Inquisitor or commissioner be a Catholic, the parties to be examined shall know it to be their parts and duty to agree upon some one to stand assistant with him, and whereas they cannot agree, the said commissioner or Inquisitor shall take out of the office some one that shall be of the said pretended reform religion: and the same course shall be practised when the Commissioner or Inquisitor shall be of the said religion for one to stand assistant with him, & the same shall be a Catholic. LXII. We will and ordain, that our judges may determine of the validity and efficacy of such wills and testaments as those of the said religion shall be interested in, if they require the same, and the appeals from the said judgements shall be to be relieved in the said courts, ordained for the suits of those of the religion: any or all customs whatsoever contrary hereunto notwithstanding; no not that of Britain. LXIII. To meet with all the controversies that might happen amongst our courts of parliament, & those courts belonging to the said courts, and ordained by this our present Edict, there shall be by us drawn and set down a good and large direction and order betwixt court and court; and that such a one, as that those of the said pretended reform religion may wholly and thoroughly enjoy the said Edict: which order and direction shall be verified in our courts of parliament, and kept and observed without having relation to the former going before. LXIIII We forbidden all our high courts and others of this realm, to judge and determine the civil and criminal suits depending or falling betwixt those of the said religion, the determining and judging whereof by our Edict is confirmed unto the said courts of the Edict: provided that the writ of remove be demanded, as it is said in the 40. Article above specified. LXV. We will also (by the way of Proviso, and that so long as till we have otherwise ordained) that in all suits raised or hereafter rising, where they of the said religion shall be in the state and quality of plaintiffs or defendants, the parties, principals or authors in matters civil, wherein our officers and presidential seats have power to judge in most absolute and peremptory manner, it may be permitted them, to require that two of the Court where their suits must be tried and judged, do abstain from sitting in judgement upon, or meddling with them; which two (without further cause expressed) shall know it to be their part and duty thereupon to abstain (any thing contained in the ordinance notwithstanding) whereby the judged shall of necessity become competent and free from all desert of refusal, without just cause: there being reserved unto them still over and beside this, such refusal and exceptions as are grounded upon right and equity against the others: and in criminal matters wherein also the said Precedents, and others the Kings under judges do determine and judge as afore in most absolute and peremptory manner, those that come before them (being of the said religion) may require, that three of the said judges do leave of to have any thing to do with their cause, without further yielding of reason for any such their request. And the Provost-marshals of France, under Bailiffs, under Stewards, Lieutenants of the short robes, and other officers of like quality, shall give judgement following the ordinances and directions heretofore delivered, in regard & consideration of the matter of vagabonds: and as for dwelling places surcharged and brought before them for matters concerning the Provostship, if they be of the said religion, they may require that three of the judges which have power to sit in judgement, would notwithstanding cease and abstain from dealing at all in their causes and matters, and that thereupon the said three shall accordingly take it their parts to give over all dealing in the same, without further expectation of any cause or reason for the same: excepted always if in the company where the said causes shall be judged, there be to be found to the number of two in civil matters, and to the number of three in criminal causes of the said religion: for in such case it shall not be permitted them to take up any such exceptions against any, without showing of good and sufficient reason: which course shall be common and reciprocally used by the Catholics according to the form and manner above specified, in regard of the said refusal and exceptions taken against any of the judges, whereas those of the said pretended refo●…ed religion shall be of the greater number. We do not mean notwithstanding, that the said presidential rooms of Provost-marshals, under-baylifs, under-stewards, & others which have authority to judge in absolute & peremptory manner, should take by virtue of that which hath been said the knowledge of the troubles passed. And as for the crimes & outrages coming upon other occasion then the troubles since the beginning of the month of March, from the year 1585. unto the end of the year 1597. in case that they come to their hearing and determining, we will that therein they may make appeal to have their causes brought before the Courts ordained by this present Edict. As it shall in like manner be practised for such Catholics as have been companions in wickedness, and where those of the said pretended reform religion shall be parties. LXVI. We will likewise and ordain, that from henceforth in all manner of instructions being of other quality than the informations of Criminal controversies in the Lieutenantries of Tholosa, Carcassonne, Rovergue, Loragais, Beziers, Montpellier and Nismes, the Magistrate or Commissioner deputed for the said instructions, if he be a Catholic, shallbe bound to take unto him one of the pretended reformed religion for an assistant, being such as the parties shallbe agreed upon, and in case they cannot agree upon any one, than there shall be taken out of the office one of the said religion, by the foresaid Magistrate or Commissioner: as in like case if the said Magistrate or Commissioner be of the said Religion, he shall be bound in the same manner as is aforesaid to take a Catholic assistant. LXVII. When there shall be called in question any criminal controversy by the Provosts-marshals or their deputies, against any one of the said religion that is settled in a dwelling place, as charging and accusing him of some capital crime; the said Provosts or their deputies, if they be Catholics, shallbe bound to call to the hearing, examining, and determining of the instructions or indictment framed to the matter, one assistant of the said Religion: and the said assistant shall join with him in the judgement of competency, and in the judgement or sentence definitive to be pronounced in the said criminal cause: which competency or indifferency cannot be judged but in the presidential room or jurisdiction next adjoining, in an open assembly, with the principal officers of the said seat, which shallbe found upon the places, upon pain of a nullity; except that such as are come before them had made request, that the competency might be judged in the said Court ordained for the present Edict. In which case of the dwelling houses in the Provinces of Guyenne, Languedoc, Provence, & Dolphinie, the Substitutes of our Attorneys general in the said courts shall cause (at the request of such as are there settled in houses) to be brought into the same the charges & informations put up against them, that so they may know and discern whether the matters be capital or no, that afterward according to the quality of the crimes they may be by the said Courts referred to the ordinary, or to be judged by the authority of the Provosts, as they shall see reason most to persuade them to do, observing what is contained in our present Edict. And the presidential judges, Provost-marshals, under-balyfs, deputy Lieutenants and others which have absolute power definitively and peremptorily to judge, shall be bound, respectively to obey and satisfy the jurisdictions which shallbe enjoined them by the said Courts: altogether in such sort as they have accustomed to do unto the said Parliaments, upon pain of being deprived of their estate and dignity. LXVIII All Cries, Bills of sale, and port-sales of heritage's, by which any man goeth about to prosecute the course of the law and directions of the Decree, shall be made in places and at hours accustomed, if it may possibly be so done, following the manner laid down in our ordinances; or else in the public markets, if so be in the places where such heritage's are situate and lying there be any market kept; but and if there be not, than the same shall be done in the market town lying nearest to the said heritage's, within the jurisdiction and precincts of the judicial seat, where delivery of such goods is to be made over into another man's possession: and the affixes or bills of sale shall be set upon the posts in the said market, and at the entrance of the judgement hall in the said place, and by this means the said cries of sale shall stand good and effectual, and proceed according to the contents and meaning of the decree, not being adjudged amongst the courses that are crossed and disannulled, howsoever they might be alleged against the same, to that end and purpose. LXIX All titles, papers, evidences, and instruments, which have been taken, shall be restored and given back again, both on the one side and on the other, unto them unto whom they appertain, although the said papers, or the Castles and houses wherein they were kept, have been taken and seized upon, either by special commissions from the last deceased king our most honourable Lord and brother in law, or from ourself, or by the commandment of the Governors and Lieutenants general of our provinces, or by the authority of the chief and principal on the other side, or upon what other pretext & colour soever it may be. LXX Their children which have withdrawn themselves out of our kingdom, at any time since the death of the deceased king Henry the second, our most honourable Lord & father in law, for the cause of Religion and of the troubles, although that the said children be borne out of the Ream, shall be held and accounted for natural Frenchmen, and as inhabiting and dwelling in our kingdom, and we have declared and do declare them to be such, without suing out of any writs of naturalisation, or any other warrant from us, than this present Edict, all manner of ordinances contrary hereunto notwithstanding, which we have abrogated & do abrogate: and yet we charge and command, that the said children born in strange countries, shall be bound within ten years after the publishing of this present Edict to come and dwell in this our Realm. LXXI Those of the said pretended reform Religion, and others which have followed that side, which had taken to farm any Offices, Land, Toll, foreign impositions, and other rights belonging unto us, and have not been able to enjoy the same because of the troubles, shall stand discharged, and we do discharge them of that which they have not received of the said farms, or which without any fraud they have paid elsewhere, then into the receipts of our Fine offices, all manner of obligations passed by them concerning these matters notwithstanding. LXXII All manner of places, cities and Provinces of our Realm, Countries, Lands and Dominions, in obeissance unto us, shall use and enjoy the same privileges, immunities, liberties, freedoms, fairs, markets, jurisdiction and seats of justice, which they used and enjoyed before the troubles began, in the month of March in the year 1585. and others going before: all letters to the contrary, and whatsoever translations of any of the said judicial seats notwithstanding: provided that they have been done only upon the occasion of the troubles: which seats of justice shall be reduced and re-established in the cities and places where they were before time. LXXIII If there be as yet any prisoners which are held by authority of justice or otherwise, as namely in the galleys, upon the occasion of the troubles, or of the said Religion, they shall be enlarged and set at full liberty. LXXIIII Those of the said Religion shall not hereafter be surcharged or over borne with any manner of charges ordinary or extraordinary, more than the Catholics, & according to the proportion of their goods and ability: and as for such as do find themselves overcharged, they shall have their redress before the judges, to whom the examination of such matters doth appertain. And all our Subjects as well those of the Catholic, as those of the pretended reformed Religion, shall indifferently be discharged of all charges which have been imposed upon the one side or upon the other, during the troubles, by them which were of the contrary party and not consenting. And so in like manner of debts arising and growing due but not paid, and of the costs and charges defrayed & laid out without their consent. But there shall not any demand be made of the fruits which shall have been employed in the payment of the said charges. LXXV Our meaning likewise is not that those of the said Religion and others which have taken party with them, neither yet that the Catholics which were dwelling in the cities and places by them forcibly held and taken, and were made to contribute to them, may be sued for the payment of the taxes, subsidies, grants, great fifteens, little fifteens, tolls, reparations, and other impositions and helps falling, & imposed upon them during the troubles happening before, & unto our coming to the Crown, whether it be by the Edicts and Precepts of the deceased Kings our Predecessors, or by the advice and counsel of the Governors and Estates of the provinces, Courts of Parliament and other Courts: we have discharged and acquitted & do discharge and acquit them, forbidding our general Treasurers of France and of our Fine Offices, our Receivers, general and particular, their commissioners, & brokers, and others the attendants & Commissioners of our Fine offices, to search, molest, or disquiet them directly or indirectly in any manner of sort whatsoever. LXXVI. All Dukes, Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, incorporations of Cities, and Commonalties, and all others which have aided and relieved them, their widows, heirs, and successors shall stand quit and discharged of all moneys by them taken and levied, whether of the king's money to what sum soever it might amount, or of those raised of the City, commonalties & particular persons, of rents, revenues, plate, the sale of the movables of Ecclesiastical persons and others, timber, trees, whether they were of demain or others, amercements, booties, ransoms, or moneys of any other nature whatsoever, by them taken upon the occasion of the troubles begun in the month of March 1585. and the other troubles going before, even unto our coming to the Crown, so that neither they nor those which shall have been by them committed & set on work for the levying of the said moneys, or which have given or furnished them therewith by their ordinances, shall be any manner of way searched or inquired after, either for the present or in any other time to come, and both they and their Commissioners shall stand quit & discharged of all manner of ordering & disposing of the said moneys, bringing of all manner of discharges (within four months after the publication of this present Edict, made in the court of Parliament of Paris) acquittances justly & truly obtained of the heads of them of the religion, or of them which shall have been by the said leaders and heads made Commissioners to audit and take the accounts, or of the commonalties of the Cities, which have had commandment and charge during the said troubles. They shall likewise stand acquitted of all feats of hostility, levies and conducts of soldiers, coining and rating of moneys, made according to the appointment of the said heads and Commanders, melting and taking of artillery and munitions, making of gunpowder and saltpeter, taking, fortifying, dismantling and overthrowing of Cities, Castles, boroughs, and hamlets, attempts made upon the same, burnings and pulling down of Churches and houses, establishing of justice, judgements, and executing of the same, whether it were in civil matters or criminal, rule and government framed amongst themselves, voyages, intelligences, traffic, treaties & contracts made with all strange Princes and commonalties, and bringing in of the said strangers into the Cities and other places of our Realm, and generally of all that which hath been done, acted, gested, and traded during, the said troubles since the death of King Henry the second, our most Honourable Lord and Father in Law, by them of the said Religion, and others which have taken parties with them, although that it ought to be particularly expressed and specified. LXXVII. Those also of the said relgion shall stand discharged of all both general and provincial assemblies, by them made and holden either at Mante, or afterward in any other place, until this present, in like manner of counsels established by them, and ordained by the provinces, consultations, ordinances, orders and directions given to the said assemblies and Counsels, setting and augmenting of garrisons, mustering of soldiers, levying and taking of our moneys, were it in the hands of our Receivers general or particular, collectors of parishes, or otherwise in what manner soever it were, judgement under seal, continuance or new establishing of treaties, & toll & the receipt thereof, namely at Rouen, and upon the river of Charante, Garonne, of Rosne and Dordone, armouries and fights by Sea, fortifications of cities, castles and places, impositions of money, borrowing & receipt of the said moneys, displacing of our Receivers, and Farmers, and other officers, the establishing of others in their places, and of all manner of marches, unions, and trades made as well within as without our Realm: and generally of all that which hath been done, deliberated, written and ordained by the said Assemblies and Counsels. Those which have given their advise, signed & executed, caused to sign and execute the said ordinances, rules & consultations, not being to be searched or inquired after, neither yet their widows, heirs, or successors, for the time present, nor any time hereafter to come: howsoever every of the particulars be not here full set down and declared: and as for our Attorneys general, their substitutes, and all those which might pretend any interest or dealing therein by any manner of means whatsoever, we enjoin them perpetual silence in all and every one of the said points: all judgements sentences, determinations, informations & proceed to the contrary notwithstanding. LXXVIII. We further approve, ratify and authorize the accounts which have been, heard, taken and examined by the Deputies of the said assembly, and we will that they, as likewise their acquittances and particulars which have been given up by accountants, be carried into our court of Accounts of Paris, three months after the publication of the present Edict, put into the hands of our Attorney general to be delivered to the Custos Rotulorum and Registers of our said court, there to have recourse unto them always, or so oft as necessity shall require, and there shall not be any refusing or denying to receive the said accounts: neither yet any cause of commanding the said accountants to appear or in any sort to be punished, except in case of omitting & leaving out of some receipts, and foisting in of false acquittances: Commanding our Attorney general to say nothing about the remainder, or that which is behind, or about their order and manner of proceeding, as not having been well and sufficiently looked unto. Forbidding the people, & men employed in our courts of Accounts, as well of Paris, as of other provinces where they are established, to take any acknowledgement of the same, in any sort or manner whatsoever. LXXIX. And as for the accounts that have not as yet been given up, our will is, that they should be audited, perfected, and examined by the Commissioners which shall be deputed by us thereunto: and they without making any scruple, shall pass the same, allowing all such parties paid by the said Comptants, by virtue of the ordinances of the said Assembly, or others having power and authority thereunto. LXXX. All Collectors, Receivers, Farmers, and all others shall stand well and truly discharged of all the sums of moneys which they have paid to the said Commissioners of the said Assembly, of what nature soever they be, unto the last day of this month. And we will that all shallbe passed and allowed for accounts, which shallbe given up in our courts of Accounts neatly and simply, by virtue of acquittances which shall hereafter be brought in: and if any were afterward dispatched or delivered, they shall stand as none: and those which shall accept of, or deliver them shall be condemned in an amercement of false employment. And whereas there have been already accounts given up, upon which there should have fallen some charges, we have for this consideration taken away & eased them of the same, & have re-established, & do re-establish the said persons fully by virtue of these presents: & there shall not any particular letters, or any other thing then the copy of this present article be demanded or required of them, for that which hath passed before. LXXXI. The Governors, Captains, Consuls, and other persons put in commission for the taking up of moneys to pay the garrisons of places holden by them of the said religion, and whom our parishional receivers & Collectors have furnished by loan upon their bills and obligations, whether it were by constraint, or by warrant and commandment from the general Treasurers, the moneys necessary for the maintenance of the said garrisons, unto the jumping & falling in of that which was brought and wrought by the estate which we have caused to be addressed in the beginning of the year 1596. and the augmentation and enlargement afterward granted by us, shall be held quitted & discharged of that which hath been paid for the fact above specified, although there be no express mention made thereof in the said bills and obligations: which shall become unto them as nothing: and for the satisfying thereof, the general treasurers in every their generality shall cause to be directed unto the said Collectors, by the particular Treasurers their acquittances: and by the general Receivers their acquittances to the particular Receivers, and the discharge of such general Receivers, shall be the sums which they have given up in account, in such sort as hath been said, endorsed upon the precepts given out by the Treasusurer of scarcity, under the names of the general Treasurer's extraordinary of our wars, for the payment of the said garrisons. And whereas the precepts shall not amount to so much as our said estate and augmentation of the year 1596. beareth, we ordain that there be dispatched and sent out new precepts, concerning that which is wanting, for the discharge of those which stand countable to us, and for the making of restitution of those promises and obligations, in such sort as that there may not remain any thing to be demanded hereafter of them which have thereby engaged themselves, and that all manner of writs or letters of allowance that shall be necessary for the discharge of those which do stand countable, be dispatched and granted by virtue of this present article. LXXXII. Again, those of the said religion shall leave off and surcease from henceforth all manner of practices, traffic, and intelligences, as well within as without our realm: and the said assemblies and Counsels established within the provinces, shall separate themselves and break up with speed: and all leagues & associations already made or to be made, upon what colour or pretext soever it may be, to the prejudice of our present Edict, shall be razed and disannulled, as we do raze and disannul them: expressly forbidding all our subjects hereafter to make any concurses, leavying of moneys, without our leave & licence, fortifications, billing or banding of men, congregations and assemblies, other than those which are permitted than by our present Edict, and without arms. And this we forbidden & forewarn them of, upon pain of being most severely punished, & as contemners and breakers of our precepts and ordinances. LXXXIII All Prizes that have been taken at Sea during the troubles, by virtue of licence or letters of Mart granted, and all such robberies as have been made by land, upon them of the contrary party, and which have been determined by judges and Commissioners of the Admiralty, or by the head and chief of them of the Religion, or their Counsel, shall lie dead and smothered under the benefit of our present Edict, it not being permitted, that they should commence any suit for the same: neither shall the Captains which have taken the said prizes, their sureties, the said judges and Officers, their wives and heirs, be searched or inquired after, neither molested in any manner of sort, all judgements of our privy Counsel and Parliaments, and all letters of Mart and seazures depending and not judged (whereof we will have them to be fully and wholly eased and set free) notwithstanding. LXXXIIII In like manner those of the said Religion shall not be searched or inquired after, for the resistances and impeachments by them committed heretofore, and those since the troubles ended in the execution of judgements and judicial sentences, granted and given out for the re-establishing of the Catholic Apostolic, Romish Religion, in diverse places of this Realm. LXXXV And as concerning whatsoever hath been done or taken during the troubles, either without any manner of hostility, or by way of hostility, contrary to the public or particular orders & appointment of the heads and chiefest persons, or the commonalties of the Provinces which had commandment, it shall be lawful to sue for the redress of the same by way of justice LXXXVI In as much nevertheless as that if such things as have been done contrary to the rules and good orders established, both on the one part and on the other, be indifferently excepted and restrained from being within the benefit of the general pardon established by our present Edict, and stand still subject to be searched and inquired after, there beno soldier, but that he may be adjudged to be punished, whereupon might ensue a renewing of troubles: For this cause we will and ordain, that only the cursed and execrable cases and misdemeanours stand excepted from the benefit of the said pardon, as namely rapes and ravishing of wives and maids, burnings and consume by fire, murders and robberies committed by treachery, and wilfully, and that not in the feats of hostility, but upon some particular grudge and contrary to the laws of arms, infringing and violating of passports and protections, with the committing of murder and pillages without any warrant, in respect of them of the Religion and others which have taken the part of such as were the chief, and had authority over them, grounded upon particular occasions which did move them to command and ordain the same. LXXXVII We ordain likewise, that the punishing of crimes and trespasses committed amongst men of the same side and party, (if it be not in such cases and deeds as they were enjoined to do by the chief of the one side and of the other, according to the necessity, Laws and Orders of arms) shall be looked unto & executed: and as concerning the levying and exacting of moneys, bearing of arms, and other feats of war grounded upon private authority and without good avouch, it shall be prosecuted by way of justice. LXXXVIII The ruins and razings of Cities dismantled during the troubles, may by our permission be re-edified and repaired by the inhabitants, at their costs & charges, and the provisoes granted heretofore to that end, shall hold and have place. LXXXIX We ordain and will, and it pleaseth us, that all the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen and others, of what quality or condition soever they be, of the said pretended reform Religion, and others which have taken party with them, do re-enter and become effectually conserved in the enjoying of all and every part of their goods, rights, titles, accounts, dignities and actions, the judgements following in the times of the said troubles and by reason thereof notwithstanding: the which judgements, seazures and definitive sentences, and whatsoever else should have ensued, we have to this end, declared and do declare, to be none, and of no effect and value. XC The purchases that those of the pretended reformed Religion and others which have taken party with them, (have they done it by the authority of any others then of the deceased Kings our Predecessors,) if they be any of the immovables belonging to the Church, shall take no place or effect. But rather we grant and will, and it pleaseth us, that the said Churchmen re-enter incontinently and without delay, and be conserved in the possession and real enjoying of the said goods so aliened, without being bound to restore the prices of the said sales: and that (notwithstanding the said contracts of sale, which to that effect we have razed out & revoked as none, and so also, as that the said purchasers shall not have any redress or relief by course of law, of them which were the Chief, and by whose authority the said goods have been sold) may yet notwithstanding get into their purses again, the moneys that they have truly and without fraud disbursed, there shall be granted out our letters patents of permission to them of the said Religion, to impose & make even upon them the sums whereunto the said sales shall amount, and the purchasers of the said goods may not pretend any action for their damages & interest, for lack of the enjoying of them: but rather they shall be content with the restoring of the money laid out by them for the price of the said purchases, reckoning for part of payment of the said price, the fruits by them reaped thereupon, in case that the said sale be found to be made at a very low and unjust price. XCI. And to the end that aswell our justices and Officers, as other our subjects, may be clearly and with all assurance advertised of our will and intention, & to take away all uncertainties and doubts, which might arise by reason of the former Edicts, through the diverse variableness that is in them, we have declared and do declare, all other the former Edicts, secret Articles, letters, declarations, qualifications, restraints, interpretations, judgements, and inrolements, as well secret as other consultations heretofore made by ourself or others our predecessors, in our Courts of Parliament and elsewhere, concerning the matter of the said Religion, and troubles caused in our said Realm, to be of no effect and value; which together with the things therein annihilated and disannulled, we have by this our present Edict abrogated and disallowed, and do abrogate and disallow, and from henceforth (as then we did) race, revoke, and disannul them: expressly declaring that we will that this our Edict be firm and inviolable, kept and observed, as well by our said justices and officers, as other our Subjects, without leaving or having any regard unto all that which might be contrary or derogatory unto it. XCII. And for the stronger assurance of the maintaining & observing of the same, as we desire it should, we will, ordain, and it is our pleasure, that all Governors and Lieutenants general of our Provinces, Bailiffs, Lieutenants special, and other ordinary judges of the Cities of our Realm, presently after the receipt of the said Edict, do cause it to be observed and kept, every one in his place: as also the Mayors, Eschetors, Consuls and jurats of Cities, aswell those that continue but one year, as those that are perpetual. We likewise enjoin our said Bailiffs, Governors or their deputies, and other judges, to take an oath of the chief inhabitants of the said Cities, as well of the one as of the other Religion, for the maintaining of the present Edict, incontinently after the publishing of the same: taking all them of the said Cities into our protection and safeguard, and commending the one to the good observing and and marking of another, and charging them respectively and by public acts to answer and courteously fulfil our requests, in discovering the resistances which shall be made against or in our said Edict within the said Cities, by the inhabitants of the sme, or else to present and bring before the justices the said resisters. XCIII. We command our loving friends, and faithful people, keeping our Courts of Parliament, Courts of accounts, and Courts of Aides, that incontinently after the present Edict received, they let all manner of things cease, and upon pain of having whatsoever they shall continue to do disannulled, to take the like oath as above, and to cause the same our Edict to be published and enrolled in our said Courts according to the form and tenor of the same, sincerely and simply, without using of any manner of qualifications, restraints, declarations, or secret registers, and that without expecting or looking for any other provocation or commandment from us: and of our attorneys general, incontinently, & without delay, to require and put in practise the publishing of the same. XCIIII. So likewise we give in charge to our said Servants and officers of our said Courts of Parliament, Courts of Accounts, and Courts of Aides, Bailiffs, Governors, Provosts, and others our justices and officers to whom it shall belong, and to their deputies, that they cause to be read, published & enregistered this our present Edict and ordinance in their Courts and jurisdictions, and the same to keep, maintain, and observe from point to point, and to cause all them whom it concerneth, to enjoy and use whatsoever contained in the same in all full, ample and peaceable manner, staying and ceasing and causing to stay and cease all troubles & impeachments to the contrary: for such is our will and pleasure. In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our own hand, and unto the same, that so they may become a firm and stable thing for ever, caused our seal to be set & put. Given at Nantz in the month of April, and in the year of grace 1598. And of our Reign the ninth. Signed. Henry. By the king sitting in this Counsel. Forget. And upon the side. Visa. And sealed with the great seal, with green wax, upon a ribond of red and green silk. Read, published, and enregistered, yea and that the Attorney general for the king at Paris in the Parliament the xxv. of February 1599 consenting thereunto. Signed. Voysin. Read, published and registered in the Court of Accounts, yea and that with the consent of the Attorney general of the king. The last day of March 1599 Signed. De la Fontaine. Read, published, and registered, and yea that the king's Attorney general consenting thereto, at Paris, in the Court of Aides, the thirtieth of April 1599 Signed. Bernard. FINIS.