FRENCH KING'S EDICT UPON THE PEACE WHICH IT pleased his Majesty to grant unto all those of the Reformed Religion within his several Dominions, Including likewise those of ROCHEL.  
Published, and Registered in the Parliament the 6. th' of April. 1626.  
Printed for Mercurius Britannicus. 1626.   

The King's Edict upon the Peace which it hath pleased his Majesty to give unto his Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion.  
Published in the Parliament the Sixth of April, 1626.  
LEWIS, By the grace of God, King of France and Navarre. To all both present and to come greeting. As Sovereign authority hath no less splendour in actions of Grace and Clemency, then in Arms and justice, and to know how to vanquish and pardon are the highest marks of Magnanimity. So that a Prince ought to be esteemed worthy of honour and glory who having given course to his Arms against those which had justly brought them upon them, & after they had submitted & ranged themselves in their duty is content to exercise his clemency towards them, & to make the public fruits to be gathered by the establishing of Peace, which causeth God to be served and invocated in all places, the King's authority reverenced, and acknowledged of all, and the Laws religiously to be observed, the people eased, and the body of the State uniting its forces together is more powerful for its conservation, and to give succours and protection to the Allies. These considerations which we have ever had before our eyes, have given us occasion to use as much moderation to mitigate and extinguish the motives which diverse times have exposed this Kingdom into combustion, using grace towards those who inconsiderately have cast themselves thereinto, as we have showed vigour, firmness and diligence to chastise and correct them, when we were thereunto constrained. Concerning the present affairs, our courses have been such, that having employed both threatenings and punishments in places which openly have declared themselves disobedient, and gentleness, patience and persuasions unto those which have contained themselves in their duty and obedience, having kept back the tempest of trouble wherewith this state was menaced with an intestive war and preserved the better and greater part of our Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion in the fidelity and obeisance wherein they are bound unto us: Our intention having been so clearly seen and known to have always been as it is still at this present to maintain them in peace, concord, and tranquillity, and to cause them inviolably to enjoy the graces unto them granted by our Edicts and declarations. And that those which have taken Arms, and the Towns which have followed their examples, having lately considered the quality of their offence, the public indignation, the ruin and just punishment that they draw upon themselves, continuing to trouble the repose of this State: they have had recourse unto our benignity, as to the only refuge of their safety, and have by their deputies besought us diverse limbs by all ways of Submission that subjects may show unto their King to pardon and forget what was past, and to give them peace. Whereupon, we rather inclining to grace and clemency, than to the ruin and desolation of our proper subjects: Having also regard to the most humble Supplications to us made in the name and behalf of those of the pretended reformed Religion which have continued in their duties, that we would be pleased to receive the submissions of the others, to forgive their inconsiderate courses, and to reunite all in peace and concord under their obliged obedience. Protesting and assuring us never to departed from the same, for any cause, pretext or occasion whatsoever. We declare, that for those and other causes and considerations of great importance, us moving, by the advice of the Queen our most honoured Lady and Mother, the Princes of our blood, and of other Princes, Dukes, Peers and Officers of our Crown, the principal Lords and most eminent persons of our Counsel being near unto us: We have signified and declared, do Signify and declare by these presents, Signed under our hand, that our will and pleasure is,  
I. That the Edict of Nantes, Declarations, and secret Articles, published and enroled in our Courts of Parliament shallbe inviolably kept & observed for our Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion to enjoy as they have well and duly done in the time of the King our most honoured Lord and Father deceased, whom God assail, and since our coming to the Crown before the last troubles.  
II. That the Catholical, Apostolical and Roman Religion shall be restored and reestablished in all places of our Kingdom and Countries under our obeisance, where it hath been intermitted during these last troubles to be fully, peaceably and freely exercised: Expressly forbidding all persons of what quality or condition soever, upon pain of being punished as infractors of peace and perturbators of the public repose, not to trouble, molest nor imquiet the Ecclesiastical persons in the celebration of divine Service and other functions of the Catholic Religion, nor of their enjoying and perception of Tithes, fruits and revenues of their Benefices, and all other rights and duties belonging unto them, and that all those who during the last troubles that do detain any goods and revenues of the Churches appertaining unto Ecclesiastical persons, shall leave unto them the full and entire possession free and peaceable, conformable to the 3. Article of the Edict of Nantes, and restore such goods taken as shall be found in nature.  
III. That the exercise of the pretended reformed Religion shall be reestablished in the places where it hath been, according to our said Edicts and Declaration in the year 1620. And our Subjects of the said pretended reform Religion shall be reestablished in the said places, as also in their Churchyards or places of Burials where they have been granted, or others, such as by the Commissioners which shall be by us deputed or Officers of Towns shall find it most fit and convenient, And where they shall best fall or for some important cause, that the places of Burials cannot be reestablished in the same places which they possessed in the year 1620. there shall be others given them, which shall be commodious at their charges which shall require the alteration.  
IU. And to give public testimony of the consideration in the which we hold those of our Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion, which have continued in their fidelity and obeisance, and the recommendable proofs which some of them have demonstrated unto us in our Armies both within and without our Kingdom, We have at their humble supplication, having also had regard unto the Submissions of those which were strayed from their duties, and by our especial Grace full power and Royal authority, we have acquitted, remitted and pardoned, do acquit remit and pardon by these presents, all levies of Arms, enterprises and acts of hostility committed by our said Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion, of what estate, quality or condition soever they ●ee, together with the Towns which have followed their examples, and the Inhabitants thereof aswell by Sea as by Land; since the first day of january in the year 1625. and precedent commotions until the day of the Publication of these presents, therein comprehended that which peradventure hath happened within the internal of the Signature of the Declaration the 20. th' of October 1622. and the publication thereof in our Courts of Parliament, whereof they shall remain fully and perpetually discharged, together with all other general and provincial assemblies, small conventions, levies, popular commotions, excesses, violences, infractions of Safegards, and all other things generally whatsoever contained in the 76. and 77. Articles of the said Edict of Nantes, although they are not here particularly declared and expressed, without being for any thing heretofore or to come any way questioned, pursued nor inquieted, except only the case reserved as it is specified and declared by the 86. and 87. Articles of the said Edict of Nantes, whereof examination may be made before the judges to whom the knowledge of the cause belongeth.  
V And for such sums of moneys as have been imposed, levied, and taken upon our Subjects, or our receipts, or those who have the managing and administration thereof and discharges of those which are comptable, together with that which concerneth the debts and excesses by the communality of both parts, and not paid. The 74.75.78. and 79. of the Edict of Nantes shall be kept and observed.  
VI Which doing all Seats of justice, Custome-hou●●s and receipts, and Officers of Finances, which peradventure might, or have been transferred by means 〈◊〉 the present troubles since the month of januarie 〈◊〉 last year, and especially those of the Table of the ●●ction of Rochel, shall be established in the same e●●●te wherein they were. The Towns which remained Reform shall enjoy the same privileges, im●●●unities, Franchises, Fairs and Markets, which they ●●ue done heretofore. The elections of Consuls shall 〈◊〉 made after the accustomed form, and in case of ●●peale, it shallbe relieved in our Chamber of Edict.  
VII. In like manner, we will that our said Subjects of 〈◊〉 pretended reform Religion, shallbe wholly ●●d entirely discharged of judgements and Decree. ●●de against them through the occasion of the pre●●●t troubles, following the 58.59. and 60. Articles, 〈◊〉 the said Edict, imposing perpetual Silence upon 〈◊〉 our procurators general, their Substitutes and 〈◊〉 others which therein may pretend interest.  
VIII. We charge and command, that all hostile Prisoner's which are detained on either part, who have not ●●●ed ransom, shallbe delivered and set at full liberty without paying any: declaring all promises made 〈◊〉 caused for ransom, which have not been discharged by the day of the date hereof to be void and of none effect, provided notwithstanding that for the ransoms already paid, there may be no pretences not repetitions: as also those of our Subjects of the pretended reformed Religion, which are seized by authority of justice, detained in our Prisons or Galleys, by means of the last and precedent troubles, yea, even those that were taken in the enterprise of Port St. Lewis, shallbe enlarged and set at liberty immediately after the publication of these presents without any remise or delay.  
IX. Our meaning likewise is, that the 27. Article of the said Edict of Nantes, concerning the admission and reception of our Subjects of the said pretended reform Religion to charges and Offices shallbe kept and observed, and that all those of the said Religion what quality or condition soever, which have been by means of the present troubles destituted and deprived of their Charges, Offices, Dignities, houses and habitations since the first of januarie 1625. shallbe remitted, and reestablished. As also in all their goods, names, debts, reasons, actions, which have been seized in the time of the first and last commotions; Notwithstanding all provisions of Offices, gifts, confiscations, represalls, payments, and quittances: Permitting to the Creditors to put in execution their Contracts and Obligations for the principal, notwithstanding all judgements and Arrests, except it were intervented with an arrest diffmitive and controdictorie for that regard in our Counsel, or in our chambers of the Edict, or that the particulars have been paid elsewhere.  
X We will that our present Letters of declaration shallbe kept and observed by all our Subjects, in and according to the prescribed form by the 82. Article of the said Edict of Nantes, but Commissioners, shallbe by us deputed where need shall require, to cause the Contents thereof to be duly executed.  
XI. With express charge to our said Subjects, professing the said pretended reformed Religion, not from henceforth to hold any general or particular assemblies, Counsels, conventions, nor any other of what quality or condition soever, except they have ●xpresse commission by Letters or Breefes by us Signed and counter-signed by one of our Secretaries of State: & that they shall departed from all practices, in●elligences, unions & associations. It being not the less permitted the collection of their consistories and Synods for the affairs concerning the ordering of the discipline of the said pretended reform Religion, conformable to our Letters of declaration, dated the ●7. of April 1623. enacted for the holding of collection and Synods, with express inhibitions to treat of ●ny politic affairs, and from henceforth they shall make no fortifications in no manner whatsoever with●n our Towns, without our express Licence by our Letters Patents; Neither shall they raise any sums of Money upon our Subjects for any cause whatsoever, without commission under our great Seal: upon pain of Crimum leze maiestatis, and to fall from, and to be deprived of this our present grace.  
XII. Our intent is also that the Articles by us concluded, for that which concerneth the Town of Rochel, Iles and country of Aulins shall be kept, observed, and incontinently, and without delay executed, and that the Towns and Castles which shall be found to have been taken by those of the pretended reformed Religion since the first troubles, shall be rendered into our obeissance within fifteen days after the publication of these presents. Declaring those of our Subjects of the said pretended reform Religion which shall make difficulties to submit themselves to this our will, to be fall'n and deprived of the benefit of this our present grace.  
So We give command to our trusty and well-beloved the Officers of our Courts of Parliaments, and Chambers of the Edict, our Chambers of Accounts, Courts of our Aids, Baylies, Senescals, or their Lieutenants, and to all other our justices and Officers to whom it shall appertain to cause to be read, published, and recorded by every one of them, and the contents hereof inviolably to be kept and observed according to the form and tenor thereof, without any conteruention or suffering the same to be conteruented in any manner whatsoever. Enjoining our Procurators general or their Substitutes, to cause to this effect to be used all instances, pursuites, and requisitions necessary: Notwithstanding all Decrees, Letters, and other things to the contrary notwithstanding, To the which Derogatories of derogatories therein contained, we have derogated and do derogate by these presents: For so is our pleasure. And to the end that it shall remain firm and stable forever, We have put our Seal thereto. Given at Paris in the month of March, in the year of grace 1626. and of our Reign the 16. Signed LEWIS. And underneath, By the King De Lomenie. And of one side Vis A. And Sealed with the great Seal in green Wax, upon labels of red and green Silk Laces.  
Read, published and recorded, heard, and which the King's Procurator general requiring it to be executed kept and observed according to the form and tenor thereof, with charge according to the Decree the 3. of this Month: and that a collationed Copy of the original of the said Letters should be sent to the Bailyships and Seneschalships of this jurisdiction, to be likewise read, published and recorded, by the diligence of the Substitute of the said Procurator general who are enjoined to certify the Court to have done it within the Month.  
Given at Paris in the Parliament, Monday 6. of April, 1626. Signed DV TILLET.   

The Extract of the Registers of the Parliament.  
THe Court having seen all the Chambers assembled, the Letters Patents conformall to the Edict given at Paris in the month of March 1626. Signed LEWIS, and underneath, by the King, De Lomenye, and Sealed with the great Seal in green wax upon silken Strings. By the which and for the causes therein contained, the King willeth and ordaineth, that the Edict of Nantes, Declarations secret and public and recorded in his Courts of Parliament be kept and observed: That the Catholical, Apostolical, and Roman Religion, be placed and reestablished in all the places and parts of his Kingdom where it hath been intermitted during the last troubles, there to be freely exercised, with prohibitions to trouble or molest the Ecclesiastical persons of divine Service and other functions of the Catholic Religion; and that the pretended reformed Religion shall likewise be reestablished, according to the Declarations of the year 1620. Acquitting, remitting and pardoning those which make profession thereof, all what is already past during the time of the said troubles, as more amply may appear by the said Letters petitions of the Mayor and Eschevins of the City of Orleans, of Frances, Godfrey, Gabriel, Hirault, and his consorts, Merchants of the said City, and of the Catholic inhabitants of the Town of Montpeli●●● and places adjoining, Prelates, Ecclesiastical persons, Gentlemen and others, and john Casseirol their Deputy, to the end to be received opposants to the verification of the said Edict. The Conclusion of the King's procurator general, and all which considered, The said Court hath ordained and ordaineth, that the said Letters in form of Edict shall be read, published and recorded in the Office thereof, to be executed, kept and observed according to their form and tenor: With this charge notwithstanding, that in the execution of the 9 Article, the sums paid by virtue of gifts, confiscations, represailes or otherwise may not be repeated, but shall remain to those which have received them: Saving to the said inhabitants of the said Country, to provide for them upon their opposition in the Parliament of Thoulouse, and to the said inhabitants of Orleans, to cause the Decree to be executed by them obtained in the King's privy Counsel the 22. of November, 1625. Ordaining that colationed copies of the said Letters shall be sent to the Bailiwicks and Senescalships, to be likewise read, published and Recorded, by the diligence of the Substitutes of the King's Procurator general, who shall certify to the Court their diligence within the Month.  
Given in the Parliament the third of April 1626. Signed. Du Tillet.  
FINIS.