THE KING'S DECLARATIONS UPON HIS Edicts for Combats, Importing the confirmation and enlarging of the same. Published in a Parliament holden in Paris, the 18. day of March. 1613. Hereunto is also adjoined the said King's Edict, Importing an order for apparel, therein prohibiting all his Subjects from using upon the same, any Gold or silver, either fine or counterfeit; all Embroidery, and all Lace of Milan, or of Milan fashion: either to make any guilt works in their houses, under the penalties therein contained. PUBLISHED IN A PARLIAMENT holden in Paris the 2. of April. 1613. Hereunto is also annexed, A Letter from the Lord Rosny, Treasurer of France, to the Queen Regent.  
Faithfully translated into English by E. A.  
LONDON Printed by Tho: Creed for William Wright, and are to be sold at his shop on Snowe-hill, at the sign of the Harrow near Holborn Conduit. 1613.   

TO ALL WORTHY AND GOOD LAW-MAmakers, Rulers, judges, Observers, Pleaders, and keepers in general, past, present, and to come, greeting; under favour, hereby not to offend any, but ever to respect and honour all of them, as most especial Instruments in any Commonwealth under God.  
HErein may Fully, Effectually, and plainly appear, the just and true intent of LEWES, the (Now French King,) in the behalf, and for the general good of his Commonwealth, and all his loyal and true hearted Subjects therein: Whereby he earnestly, with a full and well intended Resolution, doth desire, aim at, and intent, the happy & most flourishing Estate of that most Christion Kingdom, and well-governed people: To the great comfort of them in general, and assured hope of his most happy Reign over them. To his timely (Infant beginning, Honour;) by intending of their Eternal benefits: For which cause, let us look home with a special eye, unto the well & due intended Reformation and Execution of these Laws and Edicts, lately made in Paris, by their hopeful King, That hath (as you may hereafter see) not only renewed divers old Laws and Edicts concerning Combats, and other laws, with special remedy for offenders therein: But also hath enlarged and declared the same in Parliament, the 18. day of March last. Wherein he hath also set down and published for general good, the very Law of Laws, or absolute cause and directest means of true continuance, and due performance and keeping of these, or other laws fit for any worthy Prince in any Commonwealth, made for general good, to be performed and kept according to their true intents, which is performed in this King, Queen Regent, etc. Assembled in Parliament, fully, freely, firmly, and effectually set down and made known within all that kingdom, to all persons, that they shall be duly justly, absolutely and effectually performed and kept, by all persons whatsoever within their jurisdictions, without exceptation of any person, For birth, kindred, affiance, or any other cause whatsoever, wherein he also taketh away all hopes of grants, favours, pardons, remissions, or any means whatsoever. To be discharges to any of the Transgressor's of the said Laws; So that those wilful persons that will presume notwithstanding those good laws, with so due and effectual declaration thereof, are well worthy (in my opinion) by the laws of God and man, for their great presumption therein, to undergo and endure the penalties in those, or any other good Laws contained. These are true, just, and direct means, to show that God gave not unto men laws in vain, but that if they would presume to break or offend against those good laws by him or his Deputies in any Commonwealth made and ordained, That then those persons so offending, should suffer or forfeit, according to the true intent and meaning of those good laws, what, when, or wheresoever, that without any manner of hope of favour (to embolden them therein) they might make and be examples to other to beware to sin, or offend any just laws contrary to their true intents, for which they wear and are made and ought to be duly and truly performed and kept, for the upholding of peace, plenty and virtuous actions in general: And the avoiding and beating down of sin and vice in general, according to the divine founding, and true intent of good laws in general, which God grant may hereafter be well established, redressed, renewed, declared, performed and kept, within these lands: To the honour and glory of God, The honourable and perpetual memory of our King, The everlasting memory of all the good instruments therein. The beating down sin, the rewarding of virtue, the speedy doing of true justice between party, and party, the most good of this great and flourishing Commonwealth, And happy comfort of all his majesties true hearted subjects therein in general. Blame me not in being long herein, for in some lawful, and some law less proceedings, which some too many, too well knoweth, in many causes, is to great length: All which, I will leave now to touch: And so proceed to the other Laws and Edicts lately made in Paris, herein mentioned against the general wearing of gold and silver lace, and divers other sorts of gilt works, etc. With many other things which they have found as harmful weeds or instruments of pride, most idle and unfitting to be suffered longer amongst them, to hurt and abuse their people and Commonwealth. And I trust in Cod our worthy King and his honourable privy Council, with the Lords, Bishops, and judges, and other good members of this Commonwealth; will (in due time) of themselves, and by good example from other Princes, make, amend, renew, declare, and publish, (to a virtuous end) our good and wholesome laws in this Commonwealth, whereby to banish and beat down (as in their good discretions shall ●eeme best) all, and all manner of vanities, vices, idle toys and abuses in general, according to the true intent and meaning of our good laws in general, the rather for that ●e seldom find love, Charity, virtue, and honest dea●ing, Now in that measure under many of those superfluous garnishes of apparel, as formerly was ordinarily to be ●ound under a Frise jerkin, or other abiliments suitable. So that I wish there were upon many (seeming) Gentlemen in these our days less vicious cost, & in them more ●ause of truly virtuous, Honour, and Worship, which in word would become them better, and be a good means 〈◊〉 cast off pride, whereby virtue might increase, (which ●ride keeps low,) and to beat down vice which it ex●lts, to the general good of all these kingdoms, over which it hath pleased God by his mercy and grace many dangers past) to make his Deputy & Servant, our King and governor, and we to be his faithful loyal Subjects duly to obey him, which I desire m● long continue, to Gods will and pleasure, and the co●● of all his faithful subjects souls, so to live here, as to chase with God's mercy in their departing hence, eternal.  
Farewell.   

THE KING'S DECLARATIONS UPON HIS Edicts for Combats; As also an order for Apparel: Therein prohibiting all his Subjects from using upon the same, any Gold or Silver, either Fine, or counterfeit; All Embroidery, and all Lace of Milan, or of Milan Fashion: Either to make any Guiltworkes in their houses, under the penalties therein contained. Published in a Parliament holden at Paris the 2. of April. 1613.  
The King's declaration upon his prohibition of Combats.  

LEWES, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre; To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: With extreme sorrow and grief do we daily see our Edicts and Drdinances, concerning Quarrels, Combats of meetings, and others, so slenderly observed and kept, contrary to the holy intents of our late King: our most honoured Lord and Father, [who God pardon] and ours; That our Subjects do bear themselves in a manner, in as great licentiousness in matter of Quarrels, Combats, Challenges, Inquiries, and meetings, as aforetime: which yet would proceed further to the contempt and most grievous prejudice of our authority, and grow to a mere and public disobedience, were it not speedily and seriously prevented.  
In this regard, We are resolved with the good advise, and discreet Counsel of the Queen Regent, our most honoured Lady and Mother, in such sort to provide, that cutting up this mischief in the very root▪ our Subjects may reap the fruit which we desire, and our Conscience rest discharged. But as we cannot bring it to pass with greater foresight and better order than the same which our said late Lord and Father, by his Edicts of the years 1602. and 1609. had enacted and ordained, and the same which since (after his imitation, and for the effecting of his will and resolutions) we have determined, as well by our Letters of Declaration, of the 4. of October, 1610. as of the first of July, 1611. We are now only to provide, by confirming of them, for a more severe and assured punishment of the Repugnances, and disobediences there against committed: Also to cut off all sorts of Excuses, Recommendations, Supports, and Favours, which not without great grief of conscience, we acknowledge to have been sought out, to delude the just chastisements of those, who unto this day (falling into such offences) have not been punished as they ought.  
In these considerations, having caused very diligently and carefully to peruse in our Counsel, The Queen Regent, our most honoured Lady and Mother being present, with the assistance of the Princes of our blood, other Princes, and the Officers of our Crown, with sundry others, the most notable of our Council about us, all the said Edicts and Declarations, as well of our said Lord and father, of the month of April, 1602. June, 1609. and our Declarations confirmative of the same, of the said fourth of October, 1610. and of the first of July, 161●. We have again said, Decreed, and Declared, and do Say, Decree, and declare by these presents, Signed with our hand, that they all shall take place; That to that end it shallbe again read and published in our Courts of Parliament, and throughout all our jurisdictions within the extent and resort of the same, yea even within our Court and train: So as hereafter none of our Subjects of whatsoever state, condition or recommendation soever they be, may hope by us, as likewise we neither will nor mean that they shall by others, to be dispensed withal, or discharched from the entire and absolute execution of our said Edicts, and declarations: As to the end to take away the means, and to put them out of all hope, to obtain at our hands any thing that may be contradictory to the same. We for our entire discharge before God and man, and that the discharge of the said Queen Regent our mother, and for the common acquit of our consciences: do declare with a firm and irrevocable resolution: That we will, and do intend hereafter, to maintain and preserve the said Edicts and declarations in their full force for every man, without exception or acception of any person, merit, or other favourable consideration whatsoever, so to cause them to be kept, proceed and grow to their full effect according to their form and Tenure, throughout the Extent of our Realms, Countries, and Lands of our Obedience, without swerving hereafter, or for our parts doing any thing to contrary the same: neither to permit or suffer it to be disobeyed, contradicted, or any thing to be attempted, directly or indirectly, upon any cause or pretence, or by any person whosoever. This with our resolution and determination, we will, and ordain to be known to all the said Princes of our Blood, other Princes, Officrs of our Crown, of our courts of Parliament, and other our Officers, servants, and subjects, and that we neither will nor purpose hereafter, to give or grant, or cause to be dispatched, delivered, or recorded, any favours, pardons, abolitions, remissions, or whatsoever discharges to any the transgressors, or disobeyers of the said Edicts and declarations, to the end that all men may be out of hope to obtain them of us: and that none presume to be so hold as to require us thereof, in respect of any nearness in Blood. Obligation, or other Recommendation and favourable consideration, that he may pretend to have. Which we have at this present forbidden them, and do forbid them, that they shall neither pray, interpose, entreat, or become mediators and intercessors for this, to ourselves, or to our said Lady and Mother; under pain of incurring our indignation.  
Likewise most expressly forbidding them) to receive or conceal in their houses, or in any other place, any the transgressors, or to yield them any Retreat, support, or assistance whatsoever▪ But rather to the contrary, we enjoin them (upon the like penalties) to accuse & bewray them, but especially, to deliver them into the hands of Justice, if by the officers they be so required. Also, to minister all aid, force, and assistance to that Effect, if they be in place where they may do it. Also that we may the more advance and make easy the effect of the said Edicts, in the course and execution of that which our said Lord and Father did parcicularly ordain by that of the month of june, 1609. We ordain, that such as shall have received any hurt, shall do their endeavours, within one month after the said hurt received, to frame their complaint, and to provide themselves for the reparation of the same, before our dear and well-beloved Ousins, the Constable and marshals of France, or other the Judges to that purpose ordained, and established by the said Edict. Otherwise, the time of the month overpassed, the said parties cannot be tried by them, but shallbe bound to provide themselves, and to undergo the jurisdiction for the said offences.  
Also, in regard of that which may after ensue in consequence of the same, before the Ordinary Judges, and by Appeals into our courts of Parliament. Also, in respect of the parties that may be pretended to have done the Offence, If after due calling and summons, in virtue of the Oidinance of the said Judges, established by the said Edict twice pronounced, they make default, they shall have judgement according to the extremity of the said Edict.  
And shall likewise be bound to provide themselves, and to undergo the jurisdiction for the Offence and Quarrel, and for all that shall thereof depend, in our said Ordinary Courts of Justice, and Courts of Parliament, in every of them, accordingly as it shall appertain: so as the said Judges ordained by the said Edict, shall take no further notice thereof, which as well in the one, as in the other cases, we have even at this time, for that cause forbidden and prohibited, and do forbid and prohibit, in pain of Nullity of all that may by them be committed or done to the contrary.  
And the said knowledge is attributed, and we do attribute it to our said Ordinary Judges, and by Appeal, to our said Courts of Parliament, except in such cases, as may fall out in the same Towns or Cities, where our Courts are established: Of the which our meaning is, that they shall directly take notice. Most expressly enjoining them to proceed in one or other of the said Courts, as is aforesaid, by the course, and with the severity of our Ordinances, and therein to execute Justice, without the support or acception of any person whatsoever. Also to our attorneys general, and their substitutes, in the said ordinary Jurisdictions to assist them, and by the said substitutes, to certify our Courts of their diligence, so speedily as they may, according to the distances of the places, & generally from 2. months to 3. months, to advertise them of all that shall pass in this respect throughout the extent of their charge: And this upon the Declarations that shall be made by the Judges ordained by the said Edict, of the year 1609. who shall be bound, as we do also now expressly enjoin them to the said substitutes, in the jurisdictions that shall lie neérest to the place of their ahead: the Abstract copy of such records as they are to make of their Judgements, importing how they have Declared to the parties, that they are no longer their Judges. We will also, do Decree, and Declare them to be unworthy, and incapable to be Admitted in their complaints, and to be tried before our said cozens, Governors, or Lieutenants general, for quarrels, injuries, or offences, or other matter, concerning the said Edicts: But all such shall be presented and tried in our said ordinay Seize of Judgement, or courts of Parliament, in like form as Offenders aforesaid, who before they have sought remedies by the ways aforesaid, shall either by challenges, or in open Act, maintain their Quarrels & controversies. And moreover shall, even as the aforesaid offenders, be deprived of their pensions, if they have any, and of all Offices, Charges, or Estates whatsoever: & beside, to be condemned by our said ordinary Judges, and courts of Parliament, to whom the knowledge thereof is (as is aforesaid) attributed, according to the rigour of our said Edicts & Ordinances, wherein they shall proceed with all possible diligence. And the rather to take from them all occasions of default or delay, our intent is, that all the charges of Justice shall be levied of the goods of the said offenders and transgressors.  
We therefore do command our beloved, and trusty Councillors, the People holding our courts of Parliament, that these presents, together with the former Edicts & declarations, they cause to read, publish, and enroull, that they keep, hold, maintain, & observe them, and that they cause them to be holden, maintained, & observed inviolably throughout the ertent of their Resort with out contradiction: neither that they suffer any attempt or resistance, directly or indirectly: for any cause or pretence, or by any person whosoever: ceasing, and incontinently causing to cease, repair, and restore all things to the contrary hereof. For such is our pleasure. In witness whereof, we have caused our seal to be affixed to these presents.  
Given at Paris, the 28. of january, in the year of grace, 1613. and of our Reign, the third: Signed, LEWIS. And upon the fold, By the King in his Council The Queen Regent his Mother being present. DE LOMENIE. And sealed upon a double Label, with the great seal, in yellow Wax.   

LEWES by the grace of God, king of France and of Navarre. To our beloved and trusty Councillors, the people holding our Court of Parliament at Paris, Greeting. By our Letters Patents of declaration of the 28. of Januarie last, we have in confirmation of the Edicts of the late King our most honoured. Lord and father (whom God pardon) and other our declarations upon matter of combats, largely enough given to understand our pleasure and intent, concerning the execution of the same, and the punishments of the transgressions and disobediences daily committed, having with the advice of the Queen Regent, our most honoured Lady and mother, the Princes of our blood, other the Prince's Officers of our Crown, and the most notable personages of our Counsel added thereto the premises, we thought it fitting for stay of the course of such wretched accidents and inconveniences as have but too often fallen out, and do still daily happen, which we presumed should have ceased after the publication of our letters, had the same been performed. Now since understanding, the reasons and considerations, whereupon ye have hitherto delayed the said publication, we with the like advice of our said Lady and mother, of the Princes of our blood, other Princes and Officers of our Crown and Council, have again, and moreover said and declared, and do say and declare by these prosents, signed with our own hand, that we will not, neither do mean upon any causes or considerations that are or may be, to grant any pardons, remissions or abolitions to such as shall under whatsoever colour, pretence, or occasion, transgress the said Edicts and declarations in matter of Combats and quarrels, Challenges, or other heads therein contained and specified, but will, that they be extraordinarily proceeded against, and according to the rigour of our Edicts and declarations against the transgressors, and those that shall harbour, conceal, assist, or have them in their powers: who upon the like penalties, and other more grievous, if it so happen, shall be bound and forced to bring thee into trial. We also forbid all Judges, that they undertake nothing to the prejudice of these presents: Namely, the Provost of our house, and great Provost of France, that they take no knowledge of all such transgressions as may be committed against our said Edicts and declarations in matter of combat, and of all that may depend thereof, under pain of defacing, and revocation of all proceedings, and of all expenses, damages, and interests in behalf of the parties that may have been pursued. Moreover, we will, and it is our pleasure, that if to the prejudice of these presents, the said Provost of our house, or other Judges shall have taken knowledge of such causes, yet notwithstanding our attorneys general, their substitutes, and parties diminished, their widows and heirs shall be admitted to see the guilty and their complices, who shall be debarred, as also their widows and heirs to pretend extinction of crime by lapse of twenty years, or any other time.  
We also do commend and ordain, that our said letters of declaration, and these presents, together with the said Edicts and declarations precedent, you cause to be read and published over the contents of the same inviolably executed, kept and observed from point to point, according to their form and tenure: Also that of the fines to us adjudged, the third part be applied to the sustenance, and maintenance of the poor shut up in this our Town of Paris, and the Suburbs of the same. Enjoining our Attorney General, in our said Court, to use all requests and diligence necessary for the said publication and execution. For such is our pleasure.  
Given at Paris, the 14, day of March, 1613. and of our reign the third. Signed, LEWES. By the King in his Council, the Queen Regent his mother, being present. DE LOMENIE. And sealed with the great seal, in yellow wax, upon a single Label.  
Read, published and recorded, in the hearing, and at the request of the King's Attorney general. The court doth ordain, that Copies examined, shall be sent to the bailiwicks and Stewardships, there to be read, published, recorded, and executed, by the diligence of the substitutes of the King's Attorney General, who are thereof to certify the Court within the month: Likewise, if to the prejudice of the same, any letters of abolition have been directed to the Provost of the house, or judgements by him pronounced, notwithstanding the said letters, his judgements, and all other proceedings shall be void, and as such defaced: and process shall pass against the guilty according to the King's Edicts and declarations, wherein the obstinate shall not be admitted his purgation, unless he pay the third part of the fine assessed upon him, appliable to the poor, shut up, without repetition.  
At Paris in a Parliament, the 18. of March. 1613. Signed, Voisin.    

A LETTER FROM THE LORD OF ROSNY, GREAT Treasurer of France. TO The Queen Regent of France, Concerning the Resignation of his offices.  
MADAM,  
AMong all the honourable Conditions of a French Gentleman, I always held that to be of the most esteem, which was employed in the Important Affairs of his Country, in the happy Administration of the same: and in obeying the Commandments of his Prince: Throughout the course of many years, I have managed the principal of this Estate, with unexpected success: under my king, from a bottomless Gulf of misery, I have guided them to the top of all glory.  
At this day (MADAM) I do obey the desire and express will of your Majesty, I remit into your hands the two fairest Tokens of the benefits and rewards of my good Master, The Bast●●c, and the Treasury, which (so long as he lived, I possessed;) Now that he is deceased, I restore them to you: and well content myself, that the Effects of my services may remain engraven in the hearts of your people. An other not so faithful as myself, might fill all France, with his complaints: But my perpetual devotion to the place of my Nativity, and to my King, do restrain and bridle my Tongue, and maketh me to seek rather in mine own incapacity, then in any other consideration, the cause of so great an alteration.  
In one only point is my spirit impatiently tormented: that is; Of that more than absolute resolution of your Majesty, to urge me to take money in recompense for my Offies: Not that I do not sufficiently judge how necessary this course is, for the good of your service: But on the other side, it is to myself so prejudicial, and so contrary to my demands, that whatsoever power I have over myself to content you, yet have I not sufficient to accept it. But chose (MADAM) I am forced to refuse it, and contrary to my duty in this occasion, to prefer my particular Interest, before that of your Majesty: of all the means provided to wade through this business, this must needs be to me the most odious: and indeed I do abhor it, and hold it as proceeding not from your goodness, but from the malice of mine Enemies.  
For (MADAM) wherefore do they not rather lay this pretence upon my overwild humour, an incompatible estrangement from all gratification of whatsoever society, and dissimulation, upon the weak order that I may paradueture have taken in the affairs of my Offices: upon my bad Husbandry, in matter of the Treazurie: upon the evils that have proceeded of such strong intelligences as I have practised, as well within as without the Realm: and upon such extreme care as I took to establish myself in the preservation of my Fortunes: Wherefore (I say Madam) have they not rather chosen this foundation, rather than any other: neither so fair in show, and yet far more unlikely? For, so publish or give out, that I never craved any other recompense, then for my Office of the Treasury, neither yet any other reward then the Office of a Marshal of France. It is a matter that cannot be truly maintained; The impudency of mine Enemies, and the complaint of some of my Friends, shall never be of force sufficient, otherwise to testify it.  
But if your Majesty do accuse me, that of myself I have offered you all that I did possess, I confess it: Neither do I deny, but that many times I have assured your Majesty, that all that was mine depended upon you; yea, even my very life itself.  
But surely (MADAM) I will also advow, that at that time I could not imagine that such Offers to a man's Sovereign, could be offence sufficient to be therefore deprived and put from his Dignities. So as if now you do so take it, it is a principle in my opinion, very new: Yet shall not this novelty nevertheless ever make me to repent that I have done my duty.  
But contrariwise (MADAM) at this present, I do again offer to your Majesty, not only my honours, my goods, but also my very life, with the lives of my Children: Neither do I present them unto you upon any condition, but to use them according to your pleasure; Yea, even to honour my very Enemies with them, if to take them from me simply be not matter of content.  
If my passed Actions have tended to the advancement of this Crown, I will also that my obedience shall be the first to show the means to pressrue it. And whatsoever my Enemies do publish of my love to that I possess, or whatsoever other men's humours may help to breed belief, yet is it true (MADAM) that I will abandon all that my services have purchased me, with more constancy, yea, with a thousand times more resolution, than an other shall possess them with pleasure. It shall suffice me in my solitariness, to learn how your Majesty doth daily make your Sceptre to flourish, and preferring in these Affairs a goodly Order, and in your Coffers Treasure sufficient to support this Estate, which principally subsisteth upon the support of these two Pillars.  
This is it wherein I will most quietly entertain my idle cogitations, and comfort myself over the loss of my good King, without being constrained (if it may so please you) to accept or reserve any other recompense for my Offices, than my contentment to receive none, and the honour of your express Commandments▪ But if nevertheless, for a final Resolution, and that I may not show myself disobedient to your wills, your Majesty do absolutely enjoin me to the contrary.  
This then (MADAM) is the greatest favour, and that which I most desire, wherewith I do most humbly beseech you to recompense me, that it may please your Majesty (MADAM) immediately to command my greatest enemies to go into the Chamber 
The Millions are of Crowns and not of Pounds.  of Accounts, there to verify & take view of the profits or detriments of my 12. years watchings. Then if it be not found, that during the said time, under the power and authority of my great King, I have by my dexterity and by my travails, rooted out the greatest confusion that ever was in the Treasuries of France: that beside the sparing of eight Million every year: whereof he yearly became indebted to his Officers, besides the payment of all charges, and of all the ordinary Expenses of the Estate, of all the wages of the sovereign Courts, of all the wages of the men of War, of all the Garrisons, Embassages, the King's house, the Voyages & Marriage's giving of Rewards & Recompenses, with a thousand other expenses, too tedious to be here set down, beside also the Guards ordinary sums, without augmenting either Taxes or Impositions in the Realm.  
Yea chose, If they find not that I have yet for the entertainment of three great Armies, whereof the one recovered Amiens, an other reduced Bretaigne, and the third conquered Bresse, and Savoy: found means extraordinarily to furnish above twelve Millions: for the discharge of the debts of France, grown by Treaties, above five and twenty Millions: for the payment of those of Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and England, above thirty Millions: For the payment of Pensions, both within and without the Realm, above four and twenty Millions: For the succour of foreign Provinces, above eight Millions: For the refurnishment of the Artilleries, Fortifications, Highways, and Buildings, above eight Millions: For the relief of the poor, above six Millions: To lay up in the Treasury, in the Coffers of the Bastille, or to leave in Deposito, in the hands of the Treasurer of the Espa●●ne, above seuentéene Millions: To satisfy many other Expenses, which may easily be verified, above twenty Millions: If I have not also beside procured Contracts for the redeeming of the demesnes of France, that were engaged, whereof the greatest part is daily put in Execution; Such Redemptions, amounting to above forty Millions.  
Finally, (MADAM) If I have not in my great care, by my only Vigilancy, put in practise these sparings: If also to continue the same duty to France, I have not at all times offered to your Majesty, to lose my life, or to support the affairs, & that in the same eminency, yea, even to present them in a higher degree.  
If I say, I have not preferred all these things and more, then do I submit myself (MADAM) to any punishment for my presumption, to receive such odious recompense, that you shall appoint me, as the price of my honours & of my offices: But if also (MADAM) there be not any one of these Articles found false, (unless it be that they speak too little) & that my former affection hath received no other alteration, but to be grown more ardent and strong, suffer me (MADAM) for my more worthy satisfaction, to endure the harm that you do me, without accepting the good that you offer me. Revoke and call in my offices without this gracious charge. Or if necessarily (MADAM) you will vouchsafe yet to honour me with some favour, Let it be only, if it may so please you, a perpetual remembrance of my fidelity: A favour which I desire of your Majesty: not that hereafter I might be recalled to the painful travel of the affairs: but only to leave me in rest, that I may still live in the remembrance of her, who is this day the Regent of my country: the living soul of my master, and the mother of my King. And surely (MADAM) it is also an honour, and last acknowledgement which you Madam cannot justly deny me: for sith all they whom in my offices I may have offended, do labour to see me deprived, much more may they remember my services that do triumph in them.  
Farewell house, farewell fortress, which I have had in keeping and government above twelve years. Farewell Temple of the Goddess Mon●ta Money, who have procured me so great envy: Let me now go, now that I am weary of these affairs; Return me to a private life, wherein I may no more have such cares. I am he, who strong in spirit and courage, having comprehended the very ground of the riches of the King and Kingdom, have governed them: I am he, unto whom the felicity of this estate, augmented in new revenues, and the coffers of our young masters, replenished by just and lawful means, stand bound for that plain and assured order that I have established; I have reaped great honours and large recompense for that industrious care that I took under a great king. I was of great power, & had great authority, but even in the turning of a hand, in his bloody fall, I have seen all fallen and ruined. In the same mishap, have I seen extinct, all that envy, that made divers many times to threaten my undoing and utter ruin, whiles I procured the good of the estate, and that I sought nothing but to purchase only my masters favours, without any regard of the great ones, and never knowing what it was to seek the favour and good will of the people, evermore bending myself wholly to this purpose.  
But now in the end, depart from me all troublesome carking care, I am now resolved to mew up my ship in a calm, and safe haven: peradventure the state having lost me, shall better acknowledge wherein I have been profitable unto it, and the people shall find it, albeit overlate, when favour and affection shall succeed hatred: but I do not so highly esteem my own grace and good, as that I should desire to obtain it, by the disasters and calamities of my country: But chose, grant O God, that the fortune of this Realm, may evermore continue in good estate, that I may never see it overthrown, and that it may never have cause to be sorry for the loss of me, or to wish for me again.  
FINIS.   

THE KING'S Edict, Importing the ordering of Apparel: with prohibition to all his Subjects: not to wear upon the same any gold or silver, pure or counterfeit: Embroidery, Lace of Milan or of Milan fashion: neither to make in their houses any guilt work, under the penalties therein contained.  
LEWES, by the grace of God, King of France and Navarre, To all people presant, and to come, Greeting.  
The late Kings our Predecessors, to the end to restrain the great and excessive expenses, growing of the excess and superfluity of Apparel; have Enacted sundry just and commendable Ordinances; Yea, even the late King, our most honoured Lord and Father (whom God pardon) by his Edicts of the month of Julie, 1601. and of November, 1606. Did forbid all manner of men whatsoever, generally to wear in their Garments, any Gold or Silver: which notwithstanding, the most part of our Subjects have suffered themselves to be led away with this vain and unprofitable expense, and that with so much licentiousness, and excess, that were there no provision made to the contrary, themselves would remain either utterly undone or brought into such discommodities, that they could have no means to serve, if any important occasion should fall out for the good of our Estate. Upon these considerations, with the advice of the Queen Regent, (our most honoured Lady and Mother) of the Princes of our Blood, and of other Princes, Officeers of Crown, and principal of our Council: and of our own full power and authority Royal, by this our perpetual and irrevocable Edicts, have Decreed and Ordained, and do Decree and ordain as followeth.  

I. First, we do enjoin all Church▪ men (ever hereafter to continue, as now they do) in wearing of modest Apparel, decent, and convenient for their profession: Also all other our Subjects, to abstain from all those superfluities, whereinto in time passed they have been carried away: under pain of such penalties, as the ordinances of the Kings our Predecessors, for such causes do import.  
II. 
We do expressly forbid all persons whatsoever, generally within our Kingdoms, Lands, countries, and the Dominions of our obedience, of whatsoever Sex, Quality, Calling, or condition soever they be; Not to wear any Garments enriched with Gold or silver, Fine or counterfeit, whether woollen or Linen, Pur●ileurs, Embroideries, Laces, Stripedstuffs, or any thing equivolent, which may serve their bodies, in whatsoever sort or manner: under pain of fifteen hundred Francs fine: one third part appliable to our use, an other third part to the poor, shut up in this our good Town of Paris, and the Suburbs of the same, and the other third part to the Enformer.  
Always excepted, the Harness and Saddles for Horses, already made, wherein we are content for six Months, to Tolerate the workmanship of Gold and silver.   
III. We also forbid, in whatsoever kind of Garments, all Embroidery of Gold, Silver, or Silk, as also the use of Laces of Milan, or Millan-fashion, under pain of a thousand pounds' Fine.  
FOUR Nowbeit, we mean not in these Prohibitions, to comprehend the use of Gold, Silver, or Embroidery, in girdles, Hangers for sword, Hatbands, Garters, Knots, Irons, Tags, and Supporters, and Collars, for Women and Maids, Ladies and Gentlewomen. Neither also the guilding of Sword Hiltes, or Chapes, at the end of the Skabberds in Armours, Spurs, Bits for Horses, and Stirrups.  
V. We also forbid all workmen hereafter not to gild, or cause to be guilded, any Caroches, under pain of a thousand-pounds, to employed as it is aforesaid.  
VI We also forbid from henceforth, the making of any guilt work, in any of the houses of our subjects, either upon the lead, stone, timber, plaster, or other thing whatsoever, under pain of the like fine.  
VII. We also forbid all Lords, Gentlemen and others, of whatsoever calling, henceforth not to clothe their Pages or Lackeys, in any garments of silk, whom we will have to be appareled in stuffs of wool, with a passement lace upon the seams and outward edges only.  
VIII. We moreover forbid all Tailors, Embroiderers, doublet makers, Hosiers, and other workmen, as well of our own Train, as dwellers in any Towns else where, not to make, or cause to be made, any garments or other thing heretofore forbidden: under pain if they be found transgressors against this our ordinance, to be condemned in the some of three hundred pounds Fine, for the first time, and for the second, in an other fine double the former, to be employed as before, and for the third, in corporal punishment.  
IX. We will and ordain, that this our present ordinance be strictly observed by all persons of whatsoever calling or condition, the same to take place at the day and feast of Easter at hand.  
X. And the better to prevent such transgressions as may be made to the prejudice of our said prohibitions, we will and ordain, that all Judges royal, by prevention, all Commissaries, Guards, and all other Officers, shall take notice, Execute, and cause to be kept, and observed, these our present Prohibitions, and that the Fines be assessed as well against the proper Owners of the things forbidden, as against all concealers, and paid notwithstanding any Oppositions, or Appeals whatsoever, and without prejudice of the same.   
We also do command all our trusty and beloved Councillors, All such as hold our Courts of Parliament, and all our Bailiffs, Stewards, Provosts, Judges, and other our Justices and Officers, to whom it may appertain, that these our said Inhibitions, and Prohibitions, they cause to be Red, Published, and Recorded, in all parts and places of their Resorts, Jurisdictions, and Liberties, and the same (from point to point) to maintain, keep, and inviolably observe.  
Expressly enjoining out Attorneys general of our said Parliaments, and their substitutes, in every of our said Bailiwicks, Stewardships, Provostships, and other Jurisdictions, to assist the said Executions, and to make out all Processes and Instances, thereto requisite and necessary: Our Receivers of Fines in their Accounts, to make actual Receipt of all such, as upon this cause shallbe assessed: Also, to all governors of Hospitals, and Masters of the Files or Records of the poor, upon their loyalties and consciences, to employ the said money upon the sustenance and maintenance of the said poor: For such is our pleasure.  
And for that in sundry and many places, they may stand in need of these pre●●●●s, We will, that upon the Vidimus of the same, being duly collationed and examined, faith shallbe given thereto as to this present Original.  
Whereto in witness hereof, we have caused to set our Seal.  
Given at Paris, in the month of March, the year of Grace, 1613. and of our Reign, the third: Signed, LEWIS. And underneath By the King in his Council. The Queen Regent being present. Signed DE LOMENIE. And on the side, VISA. And sealed with the great Seal, in green Wax, upon Laces of Red and green, and lower Written,  
Read, Published, and Recorded, in the hearing of the King's Attorney general, requiring that it might take place, to begin the fifteenth day of May, in the same year, and Decr●●d, that Copies examined should be sent to the Bailiwicks and Stewardships, there to be Read, Published▪ Recorded, and put in Execution, by the diligence of the substitutes of the King's Attorney general, who shall monthly certify the Court.  
At Paris, in Parliament the second day of April, one thousand, six hundred, and thirteen. Signed VOISIN.