A DECLAration made by my lord prince of Conde▪ for to show and declare the causes, that have constrained him to take upon him the defence of the kings authority of the government of the Queen, and of the quietness of this Realm, with the protestation thereupon requisite.  
PRINTED AT LONdon by Roulande Hall, for Edward Sutton, dwelling in Loumbarde street, at the sign of the Cradle.  
1562.   

A Declaration made by my lord Prince of Conde, to show and declare the causes that have constrained him to take upon him the defence of the kings authority, of the government of the queen, and of the quietness of this realm, with the protestation thereupon requisite.  
ALthough it be their part which arm themselves first by their own private authority, to give a reason and cause of their doing: Yet the Lord Prince of Conde considering how much this present stir and tumult, by reason of divers circumstances, is subject to many & sundry judgements, besides that the common damage requireth a sure and speedy remedy, thought it good to prevent all slanderous tales and misreports, and to declare as here followeth, the causes which have moved him to associate himself with his kinsfolk friends, and servants, for to do service unto the King, to the Queen, and to all this realm, in their great necessity and need.  
Every man knoweth, that after the great troubles happened about matters of religion (where with it is most manifest that many abusing the natural goodness of our kings, have served their own turns to establish & to maintain their greatness and honour). finally in the month of Ianuarye last paste, there was and edict or decree made by his majesty, to rule and order both the parts, with the advise of the most notable and best chosen assembly that the king could choose in all his parlements.  
This decree and commandment being shortly after published, in the most part of the parlements of this Realm, gave a great hope of rest and quietness as the effect declared: and no doubt, if the parliament of Paris had not used such a delay, the tranquillity of the town and of the whole parliament thereof had been, & should yet have been much more than we see it now to be.  
The let of this publication hath engendered by just occasion divers suspicions, that that was not done without great practice which tended to a further end, which thing was confirmed by the doings & comings and drifts of the provost of the Merchants of Paris, with the partialities that every man knew to be between the precedents and counsellors of the said court. Also that all men knew how the Constable being sued unto and laid upon by certain partial Merchants had filled them which a certain hope that this decree concerning religion, should not continue long: notwithstanding, that moved not the said lord prince any thing at all, nor yet others of the reformed churches, to say or do any thing that should trouble the common quietness of this realm: but in the midst of an infinite number of violences & outrageous wrongs whereof they could never have justice, they have tarried & looked for the issue of the publication with the greatest modesty and patience that they could.  
This publication being made at Paris with great, earnest, and importunate suit, and rather by prayer and request than by the commandment of the king or of the queen. The said lord prince after a grievous sickness, took his leave of the king and the queen, in hope to rest himself a while at his house.  
In the mean time news were brought of the cruel and horrible butcherly slaughter committed at Wassye in the presence and company of the duke of Guise, where were most tyrannously slain many of the kings subjects, as well men as women and children, which were assembled together to hear a Sermon, and to pray unto God, following the religion and pure word of god, which the said lord prince maintaineth with them, and trusteth to maintain unto death, by all means lawful.  
This cruelty thus reported at Paris, moved in sundry wise, the one party and the other, in such sort that there was even at that time great likelihood that some great mischief would ensue of it, the rumour being spread abroad that the said Duke of Guise came in armour & with a great company being determined to root up and destroy all the congregations which they call of the new religion, the which also for their part, considering that the king's decree and ordinance seemed not to be able to maintain them against the force, violence and rage of their enemies, stood at their defence having first sent to the Queen certain men of learning and virtue, for to demand of her justice for the murder committed in the said place of wassy. This was the cause why the said lord Prince being at that time in good hour arrived at Paris, for to go to his house, and desiring to remedy the inconveniences that threatened the town of Paris, went at the commandment of the Queen to meet the king & her at Monceaux, where he told them what he feared, and advertised them that for the avoiding of trouble it should be good that the Duke of Guise whom men said did come with great power, and with a great company armed withstanding the kings decree and ordinance, at the lest should not pass through the said town of Paris, which thing was found good by the queen and upon occasion she wrote unto him with her own hand.  
Now the said Prince hoped that the said duke of Guise would have obeyed the Queen, and which is more, that in laying a side his weapons would have submitted himself with all his company, to the order of justice equalye observed in this realm, as well in the behalf of the lest as of the greatest when they be accused of any crime, and that he would have come straight to the king and the queen with all humility, according to his duty: But it chanced clean contrary, for making no other answer, but that he was busied at Mantuil in feasting his friends, he went straight to Paris with a very great company of his kinsfolk and friends, and servants, and others, with open armour. And he may not go about to excuse himself for taking the said armour and gathering such a company together for fear that he had of them of the reform churches which men call Huguenots which is as much to say as heretics. For it is well known that before the murder at Wassye. he marched with weapons forbidden by the kings decree and ordinance. Also that the most part of them that did accompany him had been long before called together by him, and by others, out of all places of this realm, so that long before there was no talk at Paris but of that, and of his coming.  
Furthermore, knowing that those of the reformed churches took the way of law and justice according to their duty, it appeareth plainly that if he had not sought but his own safety, he would have gone straight to the court according to the commandment of the King and Queen.  
It appeared also, that this coming was practised of long time before: because that not only the company of the Constable and divers other which in the mean time were gathered together, did join themselves with him but: also the provost of the Merchants with a great troop of the said town went to receive him, and this entry was made in open armour with great acclamation of men hired and suborned, as if the king himself had entered in person. The Duke of guise nor any of his band not showing any sign or token that they were displeased any thing at it.  
Now the said lord prince being returned from Monceaux the day before, as is said, fully determined to go on his journey toward his house, and being soddenlye advertised of the coming of the said duke of Guise with such a company and rout armed, determined like a prince of the blood royal for the service of the kings Majesty, and the profit of the common wealth, to see and provide for that which the sodeynesse of such a matter required, following the prayers and instant request of an infinite number of poor men, fearing that it should hap to them as it did unto those of Wassye. And for this cause & effect, where as he never thought of any such thing before, finding in his company a certain small number of gentle men, then meeting together at Paris about certain affairs, professing the same religion that he doth, prayed them to acpany him to the preaching of gods word, appointed and furnished as much as was requisite for their own defence, which all modesty, honesty and simplicity. And all this company was but. CC. horse, counting the gentlemen & servants of the said prince: others also there were dwelling in the said town, haunting ordinarily the preaching of the word of God, which went and came without offending any man in word or deed.  
The morrow after, because that the said Duke of guise in stead of going straight to the court began to fortify himself more and more in the said town, the said lord prince did also the like for the defence of those of the reformed church the which seemed (with just occasion) to think that all the said force and strength was against them, considering the late deed of Wassy, and that there was in this realm no war beside the common report, that men went about to make at Paris a new decree formably contrary to the first.  
Besides all this, you must note that the said Duke of Guise, continuing his course and trade with the Constable and marshal saint Andre and certain other of their companions without the authority of the King and queen and which is more, not making them privy to any thing, although the state of the realm required not any extraordinary provision, kept nevertheless his counsel still, wherein sat certain presydents of the court officers of the kings, the provost and Bourgeses of the town, even as though h● had been master and lord of this realm. A thing truly very strange, and sufficient to declare and show, that there was among them some practises and secret enterprises. For as for the constable he was departed from the court six weeks before being greatly discontend with the queen, because she would not endure nor suffer his strange fashions and manner of doing.  
And since that time, for to revenge himself, being departed from his house to go to Paris to hold this goodly counsel, met the King and the Queen in the way neither saluting them, nor yet staying for them made as though he had not known them.  
On the other part also, the marshal of Saint Andre not long before these things was not content to disobey the express commandment that the Queen had given him to go forthwith to his charge of government but in the open counsel, answered her so arrogantly and proudly that men might easily perceive that he leaned upon some counsel, and privy intelligence.  
More than this, the said Duke of Guise even at the beginning of his coming to Paris in stead of going straight to the court, did employ all the friends he had, and sought all means he could to keep the Queen at fountain bleaux, for fear she should go to Orleans. Yet nevertheless having obtained that which he had most instantly required, he sturryd not for all that from Paris: and helped himself with a new excuse, because that the said Lord prince was there also accompanied with a great number of gentle men, and that the town fearing to be spoiled and saccadged had desired and prayed him to tarry there for to defend it, and thus doing he hath privily rebuked the said Lord prince of to villainous an intent and purpose. But the contrary was soon perceived.  
For the said lord prince to take from him all pretence, or colour in any thing, by and by offered him by the cardinal of Bourbon his brother and governor of Paris to go out at one gate when he should go out at the other.  
And than afterward being advertised that the Queen desired that both the companies might go out, and that for this purpose the King of Navarre should be come into the town of Paris, he was so ready and willing to obey this commandment, that although he had been sick the space of two days in his bed, yet he departed quickly with his company straight toward his house of la Ferte, from whence he hoped to have sent them away incontinent if the said Duke of Guise had done the like.  
Now the said Duke of Guise clean contrary sheweing in effect with his complices, that by the willing departure of the said Lord prince, he had gotten that he looked for, went to the King with all his force and armyed power as in the time of war and against his greatest enemies, a thing truly, not seen nor used, neither is it in any wise to be allowed or accepted considering the base and tender age of the king, and that the Queen his mother although she be endued with a singular virtue, and constance could not chose but be afraid, with a Just fear, saying herself beset round about with such force and power together with the King Duke of Orleans, and my Lord chancellor contrary to her will and express commandment, whereof of sufficient proof may be made by the tears that fell from our kings eyes, and by the talk that he had being forced to suffer himself to be carried to Meleum these days late passed. The which it shall please them to remember that were present. So that such a coming of the said Duke of Guise, and seizing upon the persons of the King, and queen his mother, and of the Duke of Orleans his brother, joining herewith all the foresaid things, it can not be, nor aught to be esteemed other than a taking and captivity of them, and that the most hurtful, most miserable and shameful, that ever chanced or could chance to this Realm. And upon this it may please the Queen (mother) to remember the admonition and counsel that was given her by a certain Portugal, together with a man of Spain, & another sent out of Savoy, as touching that which she now at this day feeleth & findeth true, to the great and extreme grief of her most obedient subjects & servants. And to th'intent that this may be yet better known and understood of all true subjects and faithful servants. The said lord prince besides that he declareth things past desireth all men to be advertised of the enterprises which is very easy to conjecture and gather, which the fordsaid men do pretend to execute, to the intent that if they be put in effect by them, no man can doubt but that they are very enemies to the king and to his crown, and on the other side if there be other let them have so much the more certain means to declare & show it in abstaining from such enterprises. That is, that having beset, and then carried to Meleum the king, the queen the young duke of Orleans, and those which they thought good with armed men, to enjoy them at their pleasure they intend to help themselves with their authority against the said Lord prince, and all other which withstand and resist their enterprises, declaring them culpable of that which they themselves have already partly executed and done, and whereof the said lord Prince need not take the pain to excuse himself: saying the experience and proof showeth sufficiently that all the days of his life he hath misliked and despised all that they have sought and sewed for, that have grown and increased so soon into such an honour & greatness, that there is none but judgeth with all the states of this realm that it is much more reasonable to demand of them the cause of it, than it can be easy for them to give a reason why.  
And if the said Duke of Guise with his, find themselves unfaulty in this behalf, they shall do much for them to purge themselves of it according to the request that the estates have made therein, in stead of troubling both heaven and earth, and to give this occasion to men to think that they fear nothing more than to enter into this matter.  
The occasion of that counsel is evident enough, to weet to the intent that all lets being taken away, they might dispose & rule the realm of France at their pleasure, and for asmuch as to attain to these end and purposes, they know they must have other aid and shores, men say that their drift and policy is, to root up and destroy all those of the reformed churches, that is to say all they that resist them, in making a certain new decree at their own will, by the means of certain hired and suborned persons, as well of the Parliament of Paris as of else where, to the intent that the other part should be as it were indebted to them, in ruining at the least half the realm, for to have it rather half at their desire, than to see it enjoy wholly the quietness and rest so much desired of all good men, and as rejected of those which never made their profit but with the loss and damage of another man, and of the ruin of the commons.   

THE protestation.  
THese things considered with many other which time shall discover that said lord prince protesteth this that followeth before the king, the queen, and the states of this realm, with the realms, potentates, lords, friends, and allies, of this Crown, and generally before all Christendom.  
First that the only consideration of that which he owe to god and to his church, with the zeal that he hath particularly to the crown of France under the government of the queen, and finally the hearty affection that he beareth to the quietness and tranquillity of this realm, constrain him to seek all lawful means according to gods law & man's, according to the order and decree that he hath in this realm, for to deliver out of Captivity the person of the king of the queen his mother, & my lords her children and to maintain the keeping of the kings decres & ordinances, and specially up on the matter of religion, set up, & made by the advise of the princes of the blood rial, lords of the counsel presydentes and conselours of the parlements, saving the said men of the house of guise which now will trust & believe their own particular advises. It cannot fail to be such as men see it to be if it were no more but to justify the cruelty more than barbarous, which was committed in the said place of Wassye. Also the said lord prince with a good number of other princes, knights, lords of the counsel, captains, gentillmen, men of war, men of justice, & law, merchants, and men of the three estates of this realm, most affectuously beseecheth and requireth with all his heart all good faithful & trusty subjects and servants of his majesty carefully and diligently to see, read, and way all these foresaid things, for fear that lest unwares in stead of succouring and aiding the king the queen & my lords her children, in their captivity they be by the practices and false advertisements of the enemies of the peace & tranquillity of this realm, brought to be the ministers of the destruction of the same. And to prevent and withstand these things he prayeth them to help him and to stay up the crown of France now fallen down if god of his infinite mercy lift it not up again whereunto after having, called upon his grace he craveth the aid the assistance & favour of all king's princes and potentates allies & confederates of this crown the which he taketh all for beholders wyttnesses and judges of his fidelity, & integryte, in the conservation of the state of the king, whose invocencye full of all good hope hath not deserved to be in captivity of those which by the benefits of his predecessors & fathers have been raised up in authority, so that now they should so manifestly conspire the ruin of the son, of the queen his mother, & of all the estates of this realm.  
Moreover by this present protestation he meaneth with all his company to declare himself pure and innocent of the blood shed and of the calamities and miseries wherewith this realm is threatened through the particular ambition of those which having nothing to do but to look to the government of this realm are come unto it them selves by arms, for to chase them out whom both god's law, and man's did call unto, and which were borne counselours. Against the violence of the which distourbers and disquyeters of this realm, breakers of the decrees, and ordinances of all the estates, he intendeth with all his company to bestow and to spend his body and goods unto his last breath as a good and faithful subject and servant of the crown of France, and specially being of the house of France.  
Also because the said men will not fail to abuse the auctorye of the king and the Queen whom they keep in a miserable and unworthy captivity, for to serve their own turns against the faithful and trusty subjects of his majesty. For this cause the said lord prince protesteth and declareth presently that he will not credit any letters, messages commandements, decres, ordinances, whatsoever they be made by the said men under the name of his majesty. For asmuch as it is well known that they shall be forced and gotten by manifest violence, against all law of God and man. For, that accepted, the lord prince will never give place to any man, living in the humble obedience that he oweth and will give to his majesty, and to the Queen his mother.  
More, as touching the king of Nauare his brother, the said Lord Prince protesteth, that with the band of brotherly love, & the particular respect that he oweth unto him, he meaneth to acknowledge him after the order and degree that he hath in this realm, with all obedience next to the king and Queen, which by the common consent of the states, the agreement of the Princes of the blood royal, the approbation of the parlements of France, hath received the governance of this realm as also he is assured that the said king of Navarre considering these foresaid things will have such regard to it as reason and the present necessity requireth.  
The which also the said lord prince most humbly and most instantly beseecheth him to do.  
Also the said lord prince to show that he speaketh syncerly and truly protesteth, presently that in stead of coming to hand strokes he is ready to unarm himself upon these conditions following, which are so reasonable that they cannot be refused but of those, that prefer their own gain before the quietness of this realm. That is to weet, that the king and queen, the Duke of orleans, my lord chancellor, and other of the counsel be first of all set again at such liberty & safftye as they ought to be: which thing cannot be done until all weapons be laid aside under the name of the king, & in the hands of others than of those which follow the said men of the counsel holden at Paris.  
Further more that the said of the house of Guise, the constable & marshal, of S. Andre be sent again to their houses, & that they have a day and place appointed them to come & appear before the king and the queen to offer themselves with all humility as they ought to do, for to render a reason of this that is before said, & likewise of that which was laid against them before by the estates of this realm. For the which it is most reasonable & necessary that provision be made by the king & the queen. And the said lord prince for his part offereth likewise to make account and to justify himself of all that men can lay to his charge or to them of his company, when and before whom it shall appertain,  
given at Orleans the seven day of April in the year of our Lord. 1562. signed Joys of Bourbon.   

printed at London by Roland Hall, for Edward Sutton, dwelling in Loumbarde street, at the sign of the Cradle. 1562.