A second declaration of the Prince of Conde, To make known the causers of the troubles which are at this day in this Realm, and the duty wherein he hath and yet putteth himself in at this present, for the pacifying of the same.  
1562.  
IMPRINTED AT London by Henry Sutton for Edward Sutton, dwelling in Lumbarde street, at the sign of the Cradle.   

A second DECLARATION OF THE PRINCE of Conde to make known the causers of the troubles which are at this day in this realm, and the duty wherein he hath and yet putteth himself in at this present for the pacifying of the same.  
ALTHOUGH the prince of Conde have by good proof sufficiently enough declared not alonely the great zeal & devotion which he hath to the service of the king & queen, with the full obedience he beareth to their majesties: but also the singular affection he hath to the quiet & wealth of this realm, chief herein, that not long since he hath deferred even to the uttermost extremity and need, to put armour upon him, for to resist the violence of these, who yet being full of blood and threats, have sent for and assembled people on every side: having armed themselves against their majesties commandments, and did with force enter Paris. Where at that time the said Prince was, who had never the less long before perfect understanding of their intents and purposes. And after that, having no respect either to the degree he is of in this Realm, neither yet to this, that he was not the first that armed himself, was yet contented simply at the queens commandment to depart the said town with his train, and repair to his house minding forthwith to break up his company, upon trust that the others should do the same: The which all contrary remained at the said Paris some days, and there renforced themselves: And after they had there done sundry gorgeous acts, went with all their force where their majesties were, whom they have environed therewith, and thereby brought their bodies and wills into a captivity.  
Nevertheless the said prince who having nothing dearer unto him than the public tranquillity, hath always been most willing to submit himself to such reasonable conditions of laying down that weapon which he for most just considerations so needfully took in hand: That all they even very those whom the other side hath dispatched unto him on the behalf of the King & Queen, have always said, that whosoever should refuse the conditions that he offered, should be in a great wrong Whereof at this present, the said prince neither maketh mention nor recital, because the same have been already declared in his former declaration. And fearing lest his reasons and answers, that ●ithe the offer of his conditions he hath made touching that message which was sent unto him and persuaded him on the behalf of the queen at the desire of those others, have not been faithfully reported unto her majesty: or else that these who have power about her, might happily disguise the same, to make right appear on their side: whereby they might nourish and continue this trouble, preferring their particular factions before the conservation and quietness of this estate: The said Prince would by no means omytt the putting of the same into writing, to the 〈…〉 de they might be truly understand of their majesties, published through all christendom and known to all the princes, potentates, allies, friends and confederates to this crown, and to all the courses of parliaments of this realm, whom the said prince requireth (but chief the parliament of Paris) to the which he hath of late sent his former declaration, to enregester the same with this his second also, to th'end he may hereafter render the better account of these his doings, by a most certain and perpetual witness unto his prince, when he shall come to the age of judgement between the fault or service that he shall have done him in this his minority. The said Prince so much assuring himself of the so rare integrity of that notable company so well esteemed of the whole world, that it will examine and way all things with the balance of justice reason & equity without inclining to any passion or affection of any particular party.  
AND first and foremost to begin with all they are not able nor may lay unto the princes charge either to have begun the trouble which at this day is in this realm, either to have been the cause or continuance thereof: in as much as it is manifest, he was not the first that put on armour. And for that he took weapon after them, which armed themselves against the king and queens commandment: he had therein just occasion, & such as by nature belonged unto him: to weet the defence of his prince to the utmost of his power, the subjects likewise of his majesty, and himself from violence. In as much also as sins that time he hath always submitted himself to the laying down of weapon under reasonable conditions, such as might tend to a good and sure peace for either party, and the liberty of the king and queen. Whereby men may easily know that these be th'only causes which have rejected the said conditions (who not being able to suffer the rule of the Queen which governed without force or violence keeping each man in quiet, and looking carefully for payment of the king her sons debts, have armed themselves, have entered the court, have passed even to the kings chamber with their force contrary to his commandment to dispose of this realm at their pleasure, have made slaughter of his majesties subjects, who lived under the sufferance of his Edicts: And consequently have put all France in an uproar, even than when it grew towards great quietness, chiefly for the matter of religion, wherein either party deemed much cause of contentation.  
And without tarrying only upon this which men see at this present, if they would enter a little further into the matter, and consider the humours and doings that have passed each man from time to time, and look yet further afore them, who they be that have heretofore raised and maintained the troubles sprung in this realm: They shall find that even those, who of late have begun to put on armour and stirred up this Civil war, have almost from their birth up, conspired to trouble the common quiet of this kingdom, and that restfulnesse whereof they be thenemies, because it is contrary to the mark they shoot at, and cuts away the mean of their ambition, who think themselves in prison, and never in good order, but when there is occasions of changes and enterprises. And without any mention making, concerning this matter of a judgement which king Francis the i that great and wise king made of them, neither yet of sundry other particularities of their doings. Who knoweth not the self same men because they could not away with the benefit of a common quiet were the cause of breach of that honourable and most profitable Truce made between king Henry lastly departed, the Emperor Charles, and the Spanish king? (whereby not only we feel the smart, but all our posterity shall feel the same. They putting by this means all Europe in trouble and confusion, and all France in ruin, that they mights thereby come to their ends and intentes well enough understanded? And who when they had ones embraced the handling of matters and the money, after the journey of saint Laurence, when sundry griefs one after an other had happened by reason of that overthrow, began by times to make such unquietness in this realm, as the said king Henry departed, who was not able to suffer any more such violent sprights about him, determined to send them home to their houses, had he not been prevented by death.  
After that during the reign of king Francis the second of that name, when these stranger governors had contrary to all right, yea against the laws and customs of France, usurped unto themselves the whole government, was not this poor realm in troubles and in arms? Did they not in the sight of every man flesh the said young king upon his own prepre subjects (who yet otherwise was both good & virtuous of himself) and have they not done what in them lay to defile his memory & chronicle with their exceeding cruelties? did they not cause him to arm himself and make a camp in the mids of his realm against his own servants with so horrible a show of misery and heaviness through all his realm, that every man yet doth abhor to talk thereof, and bring it thereby to remembrance? And to make an end of this their Tragedy: have not all men seen after the death of the said king Francis when their violente rule ceased: the Queen and the king of Navarre, by one consent and correspondence to have ruled together all this estate peaceably and with all justice and clemency, thirteen whole months? till such time as their ambition (which will never suffer them to keep in, and live in rest) had stirred them up, and pushed them forwards with their good agentes and ministers to trouble heaven and earth, as all men may see, and that to the great sorrow of the said prince who doubteth not but all persons of good and sound judgement, do right well know those that have been the occasion of beginning, maintaining, and continuing the troubling of this realm: Whereby men can not without slander, charge them, that have always by good proof showed themselves as well the shunners of such means and inventions, as also of those honours and riches which contrary wise these others have obtained, by such gay means as is most evident.  
Secondarily, so little ought men to marvel, if the said prince in this case work surely with those that have the King and Queen at this day in their possession, that rather men might think it a great folly in him, if he should otherwise use the matter, and should so far forget himself, as to put him to their mercy, remembering the strange manner of dealing, wherewith he was entreated by them not long ago, when through their taken on authority they commanded all in this realm. In as much also as it is most certain, the mark they shoot at, tendeth to none other end, than to the whole ruin of the more part of the nobility, and of all other estates what soever, that make profession of the reformed Religion, chief that, of the prince and all his company. Which thing is most evidently to be witnessed by the very mouths of the duke of Guise, and the Constable themselves, and by such talk as they held in the full court of the parliament of Paris, using these proper terms, That first of all, they must begin with Paris, and that afterwards they would well enough rule the rest, and so would deal, that men should know of what religion each man was, chiefly such as had any authority, and that the principal meaning of the king was, to departed the company that was at Orleans & after that he would not have his hands tied up. But in as much as it hath lain in the power of some, through their particular affections, to break a law so solemnly made, as was the Edict of january last passed, whereby all this Realm grew to a quietness: And further that which of late was resolved on upon a saturday not long since in full council, which was, that the said Edict should be published without any exception or restraint of the town of Paris, and that precinct: if this I say were broken and violated and the restraint for Paris passed in the court of parliament by their practices and thorough th'authority they take upon them: men may thereby easily perceive how the queen is obeyed, What power she is of, and how their wills, passions and particular affections are above her pleasure, and the determination of the council: and it is likewise easy to judge by all their sayings and doings that as speedily as they may they will cause the whole realm to do as they have begun with Paris and that liberty or baylywick: and so consequently there is no trust nor assurance to be had to their letters of proclamation, as may very well be witnessed by the cry, that since that time was made the xx. of this month, in the four quarters or qua●●foulx of Paris for the calling together of all the gentlemen of this realm to go fight against and punish the seditious & new christians▪ and here it hath no likelihood of truth to say that the people of Paris could never have endured the edict, nor have submitted themselves thereunto. For every man saw three months together, first the prince de la roche sur Yon, and afterwards the marshal Montmerency with only x. or xii. harquebusiers, so to have kept in order the whole people there, as there was no word nor question of brawling the one with the other. which thing peaceably endured till the coming of the said Duke of Guise to Paris. whereupon it is good is mark that when towards the end, the said marshal's band was increased and made stronger with certain horsemen and footmen, to let such meetings as men saw were appointed purposely to stir up the people: it was then persuaded by the provost of the merchants, and by those of the town, that it was not needful to keep such a force there, which served to none other purpose, than to grieve the people, whom it was easy without any such numbered, to keep in order: & yet notwithstanding since the coming of the said Duke of Guise, the said people have so changed their humour and it hath been so hard a matter to keep them in (as these men at least would make us believe) that of necessity they must levy such numbers of ensigns of foot men, as men have seen, and that without making the Queen privy thereto, yea and against her pleasure also. Lastly the said Prince knoweth it to be the work of God, that the said Duke of Guise and Constable, have not been able in public and in so great a company to dissemble their meaning, and that they have no more said than they think for: a matter surely that much confirmeth such talk as is ordinary among their familiars and household servants, which also hath been well known by an infinite numbered of letters taken up by the way: that is, that they desire no more than to dissolve the company at Orleans, as they may afterward do execution as well on the great as the small, according to their long devised meaning. whereupon they make oftentimes such slaughters and cruelties as of late hath been exercised in Paris as well in the presence of the said Constable and under his private authority, as also such as are daily committed in sundry places against those of the reformed Religion, namely that horrible and detestable murder made at Sens, an archebyshoprike appertaining to the Cardinal of Guise, which had never come to pass without this their new enterprise, and the avowed example that these men have given. Of which calamity with all other desolations that France is threatened withal, the fault can not be imputed to other than themselves only. And concerning that message, which the Queen sent unto the said Prince, to wit: That he should unarm himself upon her word and affiance, that he should come to the court, where he should be well received, and that further she would by writing, make him all such assurance as himself would: The said Prince giveth to understand, that he hath none other desire than to obey the will and pleasure of that good Lady, and to see every man in quiet: but he right well understandeth, that those dispatches and all others are at this day at th'only appetite of thabovesaid, and can not perceive that her majesty (how good will soever she have) can make him any surety, so long as she remaineth in their powers, and while they shall abide about the king and her. For what mean hath she to resist them, or any enterprise they shall attempt, being environed with their force and armour which they themselves have levied and assembled, and which they have presumed to bring into the kings house and chamber against his pleasure, and express inhibition? As little surety is it also to say, the king of Navarre (whom the said Prince and all those of his company, do acknowledge next after the king and queen) shall only have the force of the Kings Lieutenant general, if a man mark their enterprise of possessing him, and the abusing of his goodness. Withal it is not to be doubted, but that the force and people which they have assembled (in whose hand so ever they shall come) will be at their devotion, and will be obedient to their wills and intentes. Whereby they shall always be able to serve themselves with them against the will & pleasure of the said queen and king of Navarre, yea against their persons when so ever they will, as they have right well already made that to be known unto that good Lady, and the aforesaid king when they had power, authority and mean to hurt within their rule (whereof if it would please them but a little to think on) they should find that th'only goodness of God hath hitherto preserved them. To be short, the said prince can not with reason see any other surety than their withdrawing from the court. And first of all the full liberty of the queen, assuring himself that as often as there shall remain presently any other force in this realm (chief at this time of an universal peace, than thordinary guard of the king with the frontier places accustomed, it can not be (considering their dealings and counsels sufficiently discovered) but the same is to do some forcible & violent execution: for he doubteth not but as they have presumed to assemble their said force, so will they as little fear to employ them for the bringing to pass of their purpose. which thng maketh those that must keep themselves from such snares, not over hastily to believe words, unless some good proofs did ensue, which they see evidently to be all contrary. For it appeareth, that the abovesaid utter all tokens of stomach and ennemit●e that they can devise, against the said Prince and these of his company, whom they proclaim through out all the world rebels, and thenemies of the king. They make provisions for their chief houses, they threaten them with no less than life, they cause many false brutes and slanders to be sown against the deeds of the said Prince, they do moreover make levies of footmen, as well within as without the Realm, they practise with strangers and ambassadors, partly under the name of the king and queen, and partly without the knowledge of any their majesties. They make no difficulty in causing the king to arm himself against those of his Subjects, of whom he was before their gay enterprise and arrival, obeyed faithfully and willingly, & so shall always be to their last. And for this purpose cause his Majesty to enter into a charge that evil cometh to pass, they think it good to bestow the money appointed for his debts (which yet be such as each man knoweth) upon the driving out and destroying of the more part of his nobility and all other estates, which is, as though a man would cut of his own arms and legs, and would make an end of the ruining of this realm, which by their goodly council, conduct and government, is brought to the state that all men see. Finally, these wise heads of this realm care not to lay out this land to the pray, devising with themselves how to bring in strangers, and to withdraw the bands and most notable soldiers from the places of most importance, as namely Caleys & Mets, unto the which it is not to be doubted, but our enemies look narrowly enough. And all this to serve their private passion, liking better to follow the course of their ambition, and come to to their appointed end what ever it cost, yea were it with the loss of all the realm, than to fail any whit of their intent. What surety than would a man look the prince should find having such demonstrations & effects of their most wicked wills & meanings?  
As touching the persuasion used to the prince wherein it is said, that he ought to for get his particular profit for the common: he thinketh that were fit to be persuaded unto them, who having first & most grievously fauted hole on so well-favouredly that they had rather see a great part of the realm perish than (for the conservation thereof, & to give surety to those that have occasion to seek it) they would once stir from the court, where as yet there is no good subject that had not rather choose to absent himself thence all his life for to redeem such an inconvenient than to see (through his presence) his country in danger, & his king annoyed. But to colour their obstinate will in biding at the court they allege their offices & estates, saying that for somuch as they be officers unto the crown, no man ought nor can cause them ●o withdraw themselves from about the kings person, being specially in his minority. Nay they have been so lofty as they have not let to say, that the king in his under age had none authority to cause them to departed as though the queen did not supply the tender age of the king: yea and have thought it more meet by reason of their callings to tarry still at the court to disobey and trouble the state than by their departing to leave good example, to give authority unto the kings commandment, and to allow the government of the Queen, wherein they lack all good and just ground if they would well weigh the present necessity and occasion. For it is most certain they never had rule given them over their charges, to employ them at their pleasure, nor to unquiet the realm, by transgressing the laws, arming themselves not only without the kings commandment, but against his pleasure, nor to do such violences, but to maintain the land in peace and quietness, as it was before their coming, and afore they put on armour by their own commission, abusing their charges, and presuming more than at any time durst any of the proper brethren of any of our kings, who yet though they returned from the battle, durst never enter the court, but they were first disarmed. Now forasmuch as thorough their arrival and presence at the court together, with their goodly behaviour, they see they have made such a stir as thereby they have set all France in trouble and fire, and have moved a Civil war, and that contrariwise th'only atonement and quiet of this land dependeth upon their withdrawing from the court, in as much as the said prince can see no nother mean neither for the common surety, nor for the liberty of the king and Queen. And that for his part he is resolved never to commit himself to their mercy (as no man would think it reasonable he should) it is most certain, that if they be good and loving servants and officers to this crown, they will in this case forget all particularity: In as much as the said prince also, who is not only an officer and servant, but hath this honour to be accounted a kynsemanne, and is issued of the house and blood: who by this occasion hath greater privilege and right to tarry about his majesty. besides this also that he was not the first in arms: And that contrariwise tother side have nothing satisfied the request of the estates as they be bound before they should be admitted of the king's council doth notwithstanding offer to withdraw himself into his house and government, and likewise to procure that all the other lords and officers of the crown which be in his company shall do the like. Whereunto if the abovesaid do not condescend, The said prince assureth himself that there is no man unless he be to much passionate, but will think that it is not he, but only they that proffer the private afore the public cause.  
Now if those good officers of the crown shall not content themselves with this reasonable offer, and will needs urge examples, they must than in spite of their beard confess this mean offered to be reasonable expedient and acustomed, in as much as it is the same way which men know by a number of examples past, that our predecessors kings have followed, who when there arose any such controversy between the princes their subjects as that thereby they took arms the one prince against tother of their private authority: by and by they were commanded to lay down weapon on either side, and to withdraw themselves into their houses, that afterward they might come & give account of their doings, & their controversies & reasons to be heard when they should be called thereunto. At the least if against all reason and custom they have determined to suffer those at the court, which are but offcers of the crown withal the force they have assembled of their own private authority: They can not then deny, but that they shall do an evident wrong unto the said prince (who hath this honour to belong to the king, and who did not first arm himself but put them on after the other for none other purpose than to keep their majesties, and himself from violence) if he may not have the like privilege to be at the court with those of his band who own as well their oath to the king as the others, and who he will assure of his honour and life, to be the most faithful and obedient servants and subjects of his majesty (as they both have and hereafter will make it right well to be seen) And than being there they may receive the king of Navarre's commandments as the king's lieutenant general, and assist him as well as the others, & withal help him to maintain the liberty and authority of the king & Queen with all their power, for whose service they are ready to bestow their bodies & goods to the last penny & uttermost breath. But if it hap that the abovesaid will not suffer the queen to use this equality most reasonable without it may appear that there is more partiality towards th'one than the other (although in deed if there be any affection born, the same were chief due to the prince, who hath this honour to be of the blood) and that for the meeting with so present a desolation the said lady do not with so just a cause otherwise intermeddle her auctoriti than hitherto she hath, men cannot sai that theridamas hath lacked any good will in her to do the same, being so wise & virtuous a lady as she is, and one that so coveteth the greatness of her sun and the preservation of his estate and surety, that she would not spare any person in a matter of such importance and that threateneth so great a ruin: but yet they will put themselves out of all doubt, that it is the fear she hath of them, who keep their force continually about her, and will not suffer her to do a thing so needful, which thing they have sufficient prove enough of that her majesty is brought into such terms that she leaveth to do sundry things, & passeth a meinie against her pleasure, as it may right well appear by the new election of those which have lately been called to the privy council: which men right well know to have been chosen to make up a number, & to keep the said Lady in subjection under pretence of a council: For men do otherwise sufficiently enough understand the said lady to be very choice in admitting any person to the degree of a counsellor. Men do also know the small respect these persons have towards her, which at this time make their counsels together apart, and afterward cause her to set forth those things themselves have agreed on: they send out the dispatches, and after tell her the matter: they force the court of parliament to pass at their pleasure, whatsoever they enterprise, and what so seemeth good to them manifestly showing to have more credit and authority therein than ever the king and queen could have. To be short, who is he that will not think it at this present more than meet, that the said lady should take upon her again her authority without being any longer thus compassed with these men of war, and that the above named do withdraw themselves with all their force, for the remeving of that fear and suspicion that they have (not without occasion) given to so many and withal to remedy those miseries, wherewith this state is threatened: and this the rather because the said prince being assured of his company, who be of the best servants of this crown, and others with him of all other estates, are determined once for all, to prove their fortune, and to bestow their lives even to the last drop of their blood, rather than to see the force of this realm in the hands of such as it nothing belongeth unto, who have abused the same afore time with so great loss of the kings subjects, and now of late have made such boucheries and outrages against those of that religion, which the Prince is of, without any regard had to the kings decrees, that at the least he will be well aware while he liveth how he shall commit himself to their mercy, wherewith he hath afore time found himself evil apaid.  
And for the remeving of all such slanders and complaints as the abovesaid cause to be made against the said prince (chief this which they greatly set forwards) that he and those of his company arrest and open the packets of the king: he heartily wisheth men would understand that he hath always born such a reverence and will do all his life, to that which belongeth unto his majesty: As he hath from the beginning expressly forbidden any man to lay hands on the kings, the Queens or the King of Navarre's letters. True it is that the same hath not been observed, (as also it were not reasonable) with the packets of the other particulars which have both been stayed and opened: In the which men have seen a world of iniquity of untrue reports, slanders, false Brutes, practices, purposes, and enterprises incredible, all contrary to that goodly talk of surety, wherewith they daily feed the said Pryrnce, who no whit repenteth him of that he hath done, neither would for this respect the thing should have been otherwise used. In as much as thereby he hath the more deeply known their cankered wills.  
Touching the breaking down of images committed at Tours & Blois, the said prince and those of his company have benmuch offended therewith, in such sort as he hath sent word to the king's officers in the said towns that he will help them and assist with strong hand to see those punished, in the example of others that have committed that crime. His behaviour that he hath used, in this town of Orleans with the commendation of all ecclesiastical persons and the public thanks given him by all sorts of men here, and other estates do right well witness the good order of his life, with that modesty and mildness which both he, and all his company have, and do use, without any blasphemy, without any rigour, wrong, or violence offered to any person, or transgressing the Edict of january last paste. And even now of late, upon the breaking of an Image, he hath caused those that stand charged therewith, to be put into the hands of justice to be punished out of hand. And as concerning the complaint made against such towns as the inhabitants themselves keep and are seized and assured of, the meaning is none other than the service of the King and Queen, and to let those who abuse the authority of their majesty, and compass them about with arms, from the possession of them, whereby they might force the same to serve their turns and particular passions. For as soon as the said lady shallbe restored to that former liberty which she enjoyed two months paste, she shall well understand the said towns to remain in the like obedience and subjection that afore time they have done, and will do for ever: and that they will give place to none in all this Realm in their fidelity towards their majesties: And lest of all, to them, whom they have known a long while since to have practised the beginning and maintenance of this civil wars, under the pretence of religion even with particular promise to furnish money to that intent.  
As touching the rest, the said Prince, and all his company, are so far from laying under foot, and keeping in silence that which hath passed in this matter (which thing yet he hath been persuaded to do, and that he should also without any doubt or dread, speedily come to the Court, that rather they will make a memorial thereof for ever, and paint it 〈◊〉 Tables, write it in Letters of gold, make it be proclaimed and cried loud, through all Christendom of the duty and fidelity they, to so good purpose, have yealden to their king, (a Prince laid abroad in this his tender age, to all injury and violence) to make thereof an examuple and a perpetual testimony of the manner, wherewith the said Prince & the nobility of France were so readily, in so good numbered, and so with one accord assembled together, for the surety and liberty of their Lord, and for the preservation of his person, and estate. Neither can the said prince think, that hereafter there may be offrred unto him a more goodly and worthy to be thought on occasion to do his majesty service, neither a better or worthier mean to purchase unto himself true honour and praise. At the least he hope the to obtain the favour of God, and of his prince, for this fact when he shall attain to that age, wherein he shall be able to judge, know, and understand this act, of true and faithful affection, which his Subjects have borne him at this tyme.  
THESE things considered, the said Prince who hath done all duty to pacify this trouble, which seemeth to tend to none other end than to a manifest ruin and subversion of this state: Who hath also submitted himself to all the reasonable conditions that in him lie, to lay down all weapon as well on the one side as the other, without having regard to any thing, other than the liberty of the King and Queen: And the common surety which he hath good cause to seek, doth again protest, afore the King and Queen, and all the courts of parliament, with all the estates of this Realm, that of the mischiefs, miseries and desolations that may hereafter come to pass, the fault thereof ought to be imputed to those that be the authors and th'only cause, who have determined rather to trouble all this state, by tarrying in court, and in the counsel (where as yet they neither can nor ought remain, neither be admitted) if they would follow the request of the estates) till such time as they had satisfied them) than by departing thence to leave there a common quiet and rest.  
The said prince further requireth all the said courts of parliament, all the towns and communaltes of this realm that they will diligently way all the abovesaid, and to do all the duty they own and that shall be possible unto them to do for the service of the king, the surety of his person and state, and to maintain the authority and rule of the Queen: to the end they may hereafter render so good a count, and sufficient witness of their doings in this present necessity (as the said prince also mindeth to do of his unto the king being come to the age of commanding by himself) that his majesty may have occasion rather to praise them, esteem them and thank them, than to blame them for their lack of duty, or for the to much following their passions for flattering or gratifying any particular persons, who would at this time rather colour, authorize and make ratified their faults than look to the conservation of his estate.  
Further the said prince heartily beesecheth all the good and lawful subjects of this crown to lend him aid, favour and assistance in a cause so good and just: calling GOD to witness, that only the grief he hath to see the King and Queen so unworthily handled by their own proper subjects, and compassed with their force and arms, otherwise than ever before this time hath been seen in this realm, and the desire to maintain the honour of God, the government of the said laid together with the conservation of this estate, and the more part of the kings good subjects, have constrained him to set himself against their violence. Which thing at the least ways hitherto hath so prevailed that as yet they never durst execute their enterprises sufficiently enough discovered, which surely would have brought her said majesty in such extremity and thraldom as of long time no Queen hath been seen, and the most part of the said subjects of the king in most pitiful estate and grievous oppression. He thanketh almighty GOD greatly, that it hath pleased him of his infinite goodness and providence to put into his hand the mean to resist them hitherto, which he trusteth and assureth himself he will give him the grace to being to a good and happy end for his service sake and that of both their said majesties  
Lois de Bourbon.