THE DECLARAtion of the Lord de la Nove, upon his taking Arms for the just defence of the Towns of Sedan and jametz, frontiers of the Realm of France, and under the protection of his Majesty.  
Truly translated (according to the French Copy printed at Verdun) by A. M.  
LONDON, Imprinted by john Wolf, 1589.   

THE DECLARATION OF THE LORD DE LA NOVE, Upon his taking Arms for the just defence of the Towns of Sedan and jametz, frontiers of the Realm of France, and under the protection of his Majesty.  
THE devoir of a Gentleman, making profession of virtue, consisteth (first of all) in so well ordering and digesting his actions, that himself may receive in them contentment: Afterward he ought to make such a splendour of them, and to justify them in such sort, as the well minded may be satisfied, and the ill disposed raise no suggestion to condemn them. And seeing it is so, that honour (which is the reward of the fairest works) proceedeth from such, who after they have examined and find them worthy, will approve them: he than that is desirous to be honoured, aught to be very careful that his own actions (if it be possible) be not blemished with any spot or stain: and especially such as deal with persons of great and highest quality, herein stand bound with chiefest regard. Admit they should incur but only the detection of slander, which is so common in this unhappy age, when we see that blamed which is most modestly done, and the contrary to pass with commendation: may not this then serve as a lively touch or feeling, to admonish such to render a public account, of the principal carriage of their lives? What I have determined to do at this present, shall be some discourse of mine own: to the end it may be truly known, what causes have moved me, after so long rest, and even among the bonds of some particular promises, to take these Arms for defence of the Towns of Sedan & jametz, ancient frontiers of the Realm, against such as have assailed them.  
To many it is well known, in what miserable captivity I have been detained the space of five years and a half, by those who have gotten little praise for such rigour, wherein happily I had longer continued, if they had not proved the uncertainty of human affairs: but God is to be bountifully blessed for this bitter adversity, wherein I have learned that, which the most sweetest prosperity would have made me misconceive.  
The time being now come of my deliverance, I was taken forth of my dark habitation, to be brought to the place, where I received the sentence of my liberty: but with conditions, no less hard than mine imprisonment had been: notwithstanding I accepted them joyfully, in respect they surceased my long heaviness. I must say then, that the first cause of this so desired benefit, was the bounty of God, who now remembered mine affliction. The second, the prisoner that I took, for whom I was exchanged, and who was of greater price than I. And the third, the bond of one hundred thousand crowns made by the King of Navarre on his goods in Flaunders, for the assurance of my promises, not to bear Arms against the King of Spain in his countries.  
This accomplished, I was delivered, & then I went towards Nancy, to make proof of satisfying certain other points, which are couched within mine Articles: to understand if my Lord the Duke of Lorraine, (over and beside the aforenamed surety) would be likewise bo●nd for me to the King of Spain, in the said sum of one hundred thousand crowns, & if he failed, one Prince of Allemaigne, or one Canton of the Switzers. That I should also denliver my second Son, to be one year as an hostage in his Court. Beside, that the said Duke, & my Lord the Duke of Guise, should promise by writing a part, signed with their hands: that I should not bear Arms against the King of Spain. In all these bonds these Spaniards bound me, as if they had received occasion of fear, that so slender a Solidiour as my self, should come soon or late to hinder the course of their victory: from which thought I was most furthest off, for my desire stretched no otherwise, than to gohome to my house, there to repose myself, and give God thanks for saving me from the shadow of death and the grave.  
Being arrived in Lorraine, I spoke with the said Princes, to know if they would favour me with this bond: whereto they very liberally condescended: provided, that his most Christian Majesty agreed thereto. To him I went, and could not obtain his consent, except I would promise him, that I would not enter Arms without his express commandment: this I likewise granted. Soon after he wrote to my Lord the Duke of Lorraine, that he might answer for me to the King of Spain: which he did, under these conditions, that I should be bound to him in a hundred thousand crowns, with all my goods, as a gage of his bond, for the satisfaction: afterward, I should promise, not to bear Arms against him, nor his estate. Like promise I made him also, in case it went not against my dutiful obeisance, of service and fidelity to the Crown of France, and to the King my Sovereign Lord. All these matters ended, I departed from the said Princes, having been very courteously entertained by them, and then I went to Geneva, where I made my choice of abode, during the time of this miserable war. At the end of two months, my Son, whom I sent for from the King of Navarre, came to me, and I sent him in hostage to Nancy, here he was gently entreated while he there remained.  
See here successively the pure truth of all my promises and bonds, and the causes of my liberty discovered in due order. Which I have done, to the end that many, who are over hasty in censuring the actions of others, either by humours, ignorance, or bad information: should be better advised, & not to condemn me without they first had heard me, as I know divers already have done, within more than six months: at which time (with all their vigilancy) they could not reprove me of any speeches, that happily might be thought worthy reprehension. But these good censurers do not in the mean while forethink themselves, how they rashly attempt in causes against their Sovereign Lord, and likewise against their native country.  
In sooth, if I would have shrunk from my words, being pressed thereto by mine own particular interests, I should have been an handsome subject. As for the strange Army raised, if I would have gone therein, I could have had no mean place or authority: seeing that Monsieur de Buillon, and my chiefest friends, who were employed in the conduct thereof, called me, and would have deferred more to me, than I could well covet or desire. But I excused myself, and would not outgo the limits of my promises, because I could not with credit do it. And many Gentlemen yet living, who were at the preparation of the said Army, know, that I went so far as Strasbrough, through the instant entreaties then made to me, by letters from the Lord of Buy, that I should parley with my Lords the Dukes of Lorraine and Cazimire, chief with Monsieur de Segur, to compound for their passage thorough Lorraine, and that all had agreed (because it was given me) that I should be admitted to this business, where the one nor the other should be circumvented. But being there arrived, & not finding the letters of the Princes before named, and contrariwise, seeing on both sides courage enkindled, and hatred increase, the Armies on foot, and their sword ready drawn, I thought that the time for me to be employed was past, and agreement should now be subject to observation: wherefore I would not wrap myself between these two tempests, lest my reputation should be impeached by fortune. And I did write to my Lord the Baron of Ausonuille, who was then at Phaltz-bourgh, the cause that then did withhold me.  
Within a while after the said Army being overthrown, more through themselves then the strength of the contrary part, the remainder driven back towards the Alps, and Monsieur de Bovillon, who was the chief, overweary with so great travail, came to rest himself at Geneva, where an exceeding fever took hold on him, whereof he died ten days after. And being yet in perfect memory, he disposed himself to make his testament, whereby (among other things) he ordained, that his chief countries should remain under the protection and service of the Crown of France, and desired that his Majesty would maintain them under such conditions, as they had been in former times. And after he had named Monsieur de Montpensier tutor and governor of mademoiselle de Bovillon his sister, whom he left his sole and only heir: he charged me also with her wardship of her chief countries, with power there to use and command. Which I accepted, for the desire I had to be employed in matters profitable to the Realm, & forthwith I went into Allemaigne, to pass thence to Sedan. But being advertised, that my Lord the Duke of Lorraine had brought his siege before jametz, I stayed, and that for two reasons: The first, because I would not travail alone in danger of so many armed men, and lose myself against my will. The other, seeing the said Duke had begun this war contrary to the opinion of many, and of myself likewise: I should be thought (in respect of what I had promised) scant master of my senses, to go cast myself down headlong, and so with the council of my Lords the Duke Cazimire & Deux-ponts, and other my good friends, I embraced the way of negotiation, rather than that of force.  
Being then returned to Geneva, I sent to his Majesty, to advertise him of my charge, and how my intent stretched to the benefit of his service, hoping he would not misconceive of mine enterprise: humbly desiring his highness, to wish my Lord the Duke of Lorraine, not to whet his anger upon an innocent ward, and to forbear to touch Sedan and jametz, frontiers of his Realm. He wrote to me again, that he would send the Lord de Rieux, to cause the siege to be raised from jametz, and that Monsieur de Montpensier should go with speed to Sedan, for the better disposing of the affairs there: beside, he thought good that I should not need to go, because order should be taken by these means. For the rest, he commended mine intent, and would assure himself of my undoubted affection to his service, & the general good of my country, whose safety I would evermore seek by all lawful means.  
This letter received, I paused thereon, for the opinion I held, that the commendation, entreaty, and provision of so great a King, would suffice to remedy a mischief that pressed so far. But having attended for the space of three months, & seen that the words of his Majesty were disdained, and that one of the Towns was now to be defended from a furious assault that the other likewise would go forth in Arms, against them that made their fields void and desolate, and that my Lord the Duke of Montpensier could not (for good considerations) proceed so far as to these places: Seeing likewise (on the other side) many good Frenchmen, and others of the Religion, not only to write to me, but to tell me, that in respect of the charge I had taken on me, I should receive reproach, and be accused to have failed in honour, and against the fidelity I own to my Sovereign Lord: if I would not travail with hand and heart, for the conservation of these oppressed Towns, which were under the protection of the King, & how I might sufficiently behold, that against effects of such puissance, it were in vain to bring unnecessary helps, but rather matter of like consequence. This being undoubtedly true, I should so acknowledge: yet I imagined, that lawful and reasonable proceedings, ought to outgo such as are governed by violence, especially for mine own particular regard.  
In this sort I prepared myself to go into Allemaigne, where I discoursed with certain Princes, friends to this Realm: to see by what means they could warrant, that which it seemed the Frenchmen would lose, and strangers occupy. They pleaded that this difference arose on small occasion, and could no way be so boldly decided as by Arms: since that to a County of Monbelliard, who had received as great an injury, they would deny to make satisfaction. Now as each one knows, that the Allemaigne iron will not be moved without a strangers gold, and that the one being not seen to glister abundantly, the other stands still without motion of stir●ing: This made me resolute to travail to Sedan, which I performed, passing overthwart Lorraine and France, with no small store of dangerous perils, and being there arrived, I understood the truth of the state of jametz, (the defenders of which place are worthy great praise) which rather stood in need of favour, than now to come to the sharpest terms: yet was I advised to attempt the likeliest and sweetest course, causing to be proposed to my Lord of Ansonuille, a most ancient and honourable stay in actions of hostility, for certain months, as well to win time in working on the entraunces, made by Madam of Aramberg, near kinswoman to Madamoyselle of Bovillon: as also the better to dispose affections in seeking the means of agreement, rather than to follow these threatenings of ruin. These conditions would be no less for the assaulters, then for the people assailed, nor of less honour to either: But they having examined them, would neither make any account thereof, or answer, happily for some opinion they hold, in staying on their advantage and hope, rather than in their consenting: which will be an occasion, to give a long course to the evils that this little war hath engendered, and daily will do. Which to prevent, Monsieur de la Ferté, who hath often come to Sedan about business, shall be witness, how I have twice said unto him, that my Lord the Duke of Lorraine shall gather no great fruit by this war: little gain shall he get, and that uncertain, but store of charge and travail certain. The Town of lametz, which yet resisteth, hath cost him four times more than it is worth: yet should not he set himself against an Orphan Princess, who demandeth nothing but peace, whereto she will attain by diligent search: otherwise her country must suffer, and in such sort as it were to begin again. As could I declare unto him by what means, and he should be sufficed therewith, when I speak that which is true, rather as a servant to his deserts then an enemy, and as one that loveth quiet, unwilling to use my Arms against him. This likewise I willingly allege, to the end it may be known, that I have attempted all courteous ways not to enter Arms: as well for the good of both parties, as also for mine own contentment. Certainly, I am very desirous, not to be constrained to draw my sword, which for these eight years hath continued idle, and chief against a Prince, to whom I find myself beholding. Yet (in my judgement) he is brought into these new-found conceits, by the bad & evil disposed council of others, rather then by his own natural disposition: but I may not go contrary to that which reason willeth, who commandeth me when question is made of two bonds, to prefer the cause of nature before that of getting, because it is a matter most honest, and among these acquisitions, after I have judged of the difference between them, I will stay myself upon the strongest.  
Among all Nations, natural duty hath evermore been, and yet is most commendable, and the first (after God) is that wherewith we regard our country, which comprehendeth in it all the other, and bindeth us so straightly to her, that it is (as it were) sacrilege, to fail in the due performance thereof; none of all the other may be equalled with this. As for the fathers & mothers themselves, who have given life to their children, when the father shall be employed in the right of his country: they must be constrained to hold him excused, howsoever devoted in affection he be to them. Much more ought such do, as hold any one bound only for a good turn or a simple promise: for it is a necessary consequence, that a greater matter must be preferred before a less. I have here before declared, that which I promised to my Lord the Duke of Lorraine, but yet with an exception, which although it had not been made, ought evermore to take place, and I think that few people would make doubt thereof, (albeit we live in such a season, wherein all things are debated and disguised) that the duty to the Prince, must go before that is due to any benefactor: who happily may say; Seeing I have been the cause of your liberty, why will you offend me with Arms, which you promised not to bear against me? Truly I cannot deny, that my Lord the Duke of Lorraine hath aided me to defend the same more entiere and happy: but I should not have recovered the same (which I speak not as ingrateful for his good turn) by the three means that I have rehearsed, before he bond me to him: not having so small a thing to promise in prejudice of my present bond, whereto nature, the laws, and men of virtue, will that I cause it to hold due degree.  
I know well it will be objected to me, that the party which I make to sound so high, aught to enter into consideration, to see what is attempted against it: which I would with all my heart. But what is this then, to assail Sedan & jametz, Towns under the protection, frontiers of the Realm, faithful to the Crown, peopled with Frenchmen? is not this to touch France itself? Truly a Roman Ambassador that returned from Hannibal, said most well & wisely before the Senate, that the Carthaginians in beating of the walls of Sagunt, a confederate City, battered the walls of Rome. And with as good right it may be said, when with their Cannons they beat on jametz, they might do the like against them of Paris.  
I have been patiented so long time, that I have just occasion to fear, lest I be reproved of sloth and breach of faith (having a lawful calling for the defence of the said Towns) if I should longer defer to employ myself in their safeguard from ruin. King Francis the great durst hazard his person and forces, not to have the dishonour of the loss of Landrecy, a little town that was not of his Realm, but gotten in the country of another. The like did the deceased Duke of Guyze, for the defence of Metz, at the new entrance thereof into the protection of France. Should I then fail, that am but a most simple subject, yet retained for those that are incorporate with us, and where there is not one house, but the Flowers de Luce's flourish therein?  
I shall be accused as ingrateful towards my benefactor, because I bear these Arms against him: but it is in such a defence as I may not forsake, without being convinced of more great ingratitude towards my Country and King.  
You have broken (saith one) your promise, which upon so worthy a good turn you heartily plighted. If things were in like estate as when I promised, I should be restrained within my bounds: but one hath changed them, in doing that which I have showed, and unlawful beside to be done.  
Let us now come unto the second bond, that the Tutor is to procure the best for his ward, and aid her so far as need shall require. The civilians hold thus much, that they place this next after the father to his own child: and will that the officer shall run to the maintenance of his wards right, so soon as to that belongeth to his Prince. This also reason requireth: the one being more destitute of a stay or help, than the other, and this bond fulfilled, is so much the more of force, in that it is joined next unto that of nature. So that I am not to be thought worthy of blame, if I have preferred this before the other unto my Lord the Duke of Lorraine: namely in this respect, because it is to defend, and not to assail, the defence being more just than the offence: seeing also, that this charge was deferred to me, before my Lord of Lorraine assailed Madamoyselle de Bovillon.  
And that which hath fortified me in this resolution, is in having examined the cause of the war, I find that the assaulter hath very slender right to do so: for if it were about any ancient difference, he ought then to show his titles, and to have them disputed by reason. If he have proceeded on any injury received by the deceased Lord of Bovillon: why doth he not as much to the King of Navarre, to the Allemaigns, Switzers & Frenchmen, who have all sacked and burned within the country of Lorraine? It is not reasonable, that this little estate should satisfy for a common damage.  
Ought we not rather imitate that course, that served for the wrongs done to the County of Mont-belliart, to wit, a friendly composition, which was proposed for fear of the Allemaigns: who notwithstanding evermore denied help to this ward, left desolate in sight of every one? In mean while, God will work for the oppressed, and secure them in time needful.  
In fine, it is in vain to flatter, but rather speak the truth: doth it not appear, that this is for the dissipation of the realm, when they make such shouldering, where the one side is perceived, & the other masked? What is this but as the Parisians did, and as the attempt against Bolongne sometime, and on the Marquisate of Saluce not long since? Is not this rather to run after a pray, than it can any way seem for the King's service, when they pill and poll, & make such outrage? I will avouch that his wisdom is great, & yet greater is the constraint that one maketh of his will, in pressing it to resolve on a war, wherein depends the ruin of France especially in one that hath a spirit of sweetness and peace. In this case, what ought an honest minded man, courageous, and a lover of his country do? even to imitate the ancient Frenchmen, brave heads & Captains, as the Bastard of orleans, the Hire and Poton, they seeing King Charles the seventh to despair of his affairs, being assailed with most puissant enemies in the very entrails of his Realm, whom he quietly suffered, as unable to remedy the same: yet would not these (for all this) let fall their unconquerable hope, but with a fervent affection would venture themselves in this imminent danger, to find some mean to exempt the same. And as for the apprehension of the present evil, some hold, it may be that the King enclosed, will give a commandment to his subject, not to aid his estate now perishing: shall this default be an excuse for the subject? We own love, obeisance, subjection and fidelity to our King, who notwithstanding may die: but we own so much to our country as cannot die.  
Truly I should be quit of my promise to his Majesty, not to bear Arms against his service (albeit I must persever herein, if I be used as an enemy) seeing the horrible confusions that are in the estate: for all is corrupted, force ruleth, the laws are without strength, and even already (by some) our houses are divided, and our lives prescribed, so that we have no right of the one or other. As for the royal authority, in what manner is it reviled, despited by the people, when butcheries shall be made of the subjects of the Realm? Solon said, that in a division a good Citizen ought not to stand still, but to take the better part, in respect of his bond to the commonwealth. But our country is not only divided, but overthrown; not in peril, but already lost. And in the midst of so great disorder, is it wisdom to sit with our arms cross folded, when reason bids us throw them abroad? Shall I attend the rest of the misfortunes of the Frenchmen, to depend on our wars, having bowed their knees before the angry conqueror, or before a stranger, to the end that afterward I may receive what Silla presented to his host at Praeneste? This cannot be done but once, unworthy is it to do it twice. But when I consider things to come, in how miserable estate we shall be, if God should call away our King, (to whom I wish a long life, conjoined with a just & peaceable reign) we should not suffer to rise these factions of Burgundy and Orleans, which now prepare themselves, the one to assail, & the other to defend: even that will happen which is publicly spoken, and the blind themselves may see, that this war begun, is rather for the state than any Religion: but from what evil shall we then escape free, and of what goods shall we not be deprived?  
Hatred, discord▪ spoil, and these Alarms,  
Cruelty, fear, fierce combats, & these Arms,  
Shall be our pastimes, etc.  
But now to escape these dangerous rocks, let us turn ourselves to God, who sends these plagues for our incorrigible behaviour. Let us weep for our country, and secure her in this general shipwreck: let us every one help to save her with our arms, and not with our legs, according as the Roman said: who forsook Caesar's part being his benefactor, to embrace that of the common good.  
I pray God, that in this general assembly of the Estates, some one will crave remedy for our insupportable evils: which may be thoroughly helped by ceasing these Arms, and remain incurable by the continuance.  
This is an heretic that speaketh (some zealous will say) believe them not, rather account them blasphemers. My Lords, be not offended at these words, which may serve you to colour the war you would prolong. Truly I am no heretic, for I will live and die in this excellent and renowned faith of the Roman Church, a member of the Catholic: even the same that Saint Paul (who was the first Bishop thereof) instituted, as it appeareth by his sacred registers. But shall I tell you who he is that we ought to account an heretic, in these times wherein we live? It is the man that desireth not any peace or concord in the estate: that wisheth the change thereof: that strengtheneth himself with the enemies of the Realm: that expecteth the fall thereof, because he might gather the pieces; who hath equity and holiness in his mouth, and injustice and hypocrisy in his heart. On the contrary, the true Catholic is he that pursueth peace and unanimity: that suffereth patiently the temporal government established by God over him: that holds in suspicion those strangers who would procure our ruin: that would have the estate preserved: and that showeth in all his actions how he loveth order, justice, and piety.  
For conclusion, I will love my country which hath brought me up, I will reverence my Sovereign Lord, although he would pursue me, I will defend my liberty, goods, and life, if any would take them from me. I will aid the French shamefully afflicted, in as much as I may honestly do, I will guard my ward, as the laws command me, and I will oppose myself against strangers (whatsoever particular bond they hold of me) who would against all right possess themselves with the Towns of the Realm, for I am a true Frenchman. Enough is said, the time requires I should do it, in respect it is followed truly and justly.  
FINIS.