A true discourse of the occurrences in the wars of Savoy, and the winning of the Fort of Mont-millan: by the most Christian King of France and Navarre Henry the fourth. Also the number of Cannons and Munition by his Majesty taken in the said Mont-millan.  
Whereunto is annexed, the Oration of Sir Philip Cauriana, Knight: pronounced to the most Christian Queen Mary de Medicis, at her departure out of Tuscan to go into France.  
Faithfully translated out of French by E. A.  
Imprinted at London for Walter Burr, at the sign of the Flower de Luce and Crown, in Povies Churchyard. 1601.   

A true discourse of things happened in the army for Savoy, and in the winning of the Castle of Mont-millan.  
HIs most Christian Majesty, forbearing so far as his honour and the duty of a Prince that loveth peace and the good of his Country could afford, was at the last to his great grief, forced to have recourse to all means convenient to bring the Duke of Savoy to good order. The said Duke having taken from the crown of France, and usurped the Marquizat of Saluces in time of peace, in the days of the late King Henry the third, his majesties predecessor of happy memory, hath not restored the said Marquizate, according to the treaty and conclusion of peace made at Veruins in the year 1598. between his Majesty Philip the second late King of Spain, and the said Duke of Savoy, neither as he promised by the last agreement between his Majesty and the said Duke of Savoy, made at Paris in February last. A matter that hath moved his Majesty to alter his purpose: declaring to those to whom it may concern, that having attended the said Duke's resolution, he was lastly enforced to recover the said Marquizate by force of Arms.  
The King therefore willing by valour and in discretion, not only to preserve that which appertaineth to the Crown, but also to recover that which aforetime hath been alienated, did thereupon redemaund the Marquizate of Saluces, which ●●d been alienated, as is aforesaid. But the Duke finding it to be one of the most precious flowers of his garland, referred off the King daily for the restitution of the same: Whereby his Majesty having expected it a year and a half, did nevertheless live in hope according to the said Duke's promise, to have had the said restitution performed by the first day of June last passed. But the King perceiving that his clemency engendered so great contempt, sent his solemn declaration to the said Duke of Savoy, therein protesting that himself was no cause of the war or breach of peace, but that full ill against his will he undertook this war, as knowing very well that it could not redound but to the said Duke's utter ruin & decay.  
The King therefore, considering the premises, did to his great grief (albeit he came not out of Paris to that intent) bring his army into Bresse and Savoy, where it soon showed itself with so many troops, as proved, that the King's just title or quarrel carried that which to him did appertain. The towns and Castles never stood out any or very small force, but yielded: so as the King in a very short time pierced through the country even to Mont-millan, where upon his arrival, he seized on the town, as likewise he did sooneafter of Chamtery, Charbonniers and other places, even to Morienne, which he brought under his obedience, in which places himself was present, to the great peril and danger of his life.  
Having thus taken the town of Mont-millan, he caused the Castle to be summoned to yield, unless that they had rather endure the fury of the Cannon. Howbeit, sith they grew obstinate, the King divided his army to beat it on every side, and caused his men to raise Bastions, Forts, Hills, and Bulwarks with wonderful policy to beat the place.  
This done, it seemed, that albeit man's industry could perform no more, yet all this was but as a Butt for the Cannons of the said Castle to level at: the place being of all men holden to be impregnable and almost inaccessible. But God, who ruleth the hearts of Kings and Princes, peized the hearts of these two Princes, whereby the one was found to be replenished with a just quarrel, whereto he also showed himself favourable, as he promiseth by his Prophets, when he findeth a heart after his own mind. So that whereas the Duke of Savoy, purposed there to have suffered the Frenchmen to have champed on their bits, with the discommodity of the winter season and tempests, the place happily fell into the king's hands, to the great prejudice of the said Duke of Savoy, who now findeth himself to be the prey of such mishap as he threatened to others, therein resembling the Thrush, who parched upon a twig spreadeth her wings, and so is taken of herself: or the Giants that sought to sight with heaven: for surely this battle of the Giants, doth represent and figure unto no other but these that will rise against their betters, as they did against jupiter, according to the words of the Poet.  
The giants men say, would enterprise,  
To seize upon heaven, and jupiter surprise.  
Now will I bring unto the French Theatre, one of the principal acts of this tragedy. The King considering how difficult it was by assault to come near this place, and fearing the loss of the meanest of his Soldiers, sought to win those in the Castle by composition, whereupon God reading in his heart his good mind and affection, strengthened him more and more against his enemies. Many things they do report, that ministered intelligence to the king: but I do ground myself upon the most certain, & I do believe that the kings just quarrel delivered him this place, as the lawful daughter of France built and erected by our Kings: for, as say the ancient Philosophers: All things must return to their head and foundation, so that as well that, as the rest, being of France, All shall return to France.  
In the end the Lord of Brandy Captain of the said Castle, finding himself unable to resist the French army, much less the courage of so invincible and magnanimous a king: withal that he could not hold, as being surprised by the king's diligence and foresight, who resembled an Alexander or julius Caesar, who both enterprised and executed in manner at once: sought to grow to composition as himself required: whereto the King condescended, mitigating certain articles that went beyond the laws of war, which he would not pass.  
This composition did first contain a truce for one month: so that in case the Duke of Savoy did not come to secure the besieged and raise the siege from before the place, the said lord Brandys promised even with hostages, to deliver the place into the king's hands. The truce drawing to expiration, toward the end thereof the Duke of Savoy meaning to appear, was stopped, through the king's discreet foresight, who sent his army to the passages to stop the said Duke of Savoy, from all access. Thus he being repulsed, and unable to bring any succour, either to raise the siege from before the place, it was yielded under the most happy success of the most Christian & most magnanimous King, according to the grant that the Lord of Brandy had obtained from his Majesty. hereupon the king, the 16. of Novemb. 1600. sent in 500 French soldiers, under the leading of the Lord of Crequy, who was to command in the same. The Lord of Brandy, according to an article by the King granted in form of composition, departed: Namely with the life of the said Lord of Brandy and all his, the Soldiers with the Drum striking up, the Ancient displayed, the Match lighted, the Bullet in the mouth, the Muskets and Harquebuts charged, with bag and baggage, so much as to them appertained, without search, visitation or molestation whatsoever, and furnished with so much warlike provision as they could well carry with them: leaving to his majesties possession, the fairest and strongest place in all Savoy, with 80. Canon's great and small, 30000. Bullets, and 500 thousand of Powder. Thus much for the conquest and departure from the Castle of Mont-millan, a hold in some men's opinion unpossible to be gotten: yet possible to our great King, being armed with equity and a just quarrel.  
Now therefore, O ye French nation, ye are to lift up your hands to heaven in sign of joy, and to importunate the same with your petitions and prayers, and manifold repetition of this word with the Prophet, O Lord preserve the King, and be his protector.  
Now therefore let him not be content only to maintain his estate and people in peace: but also let him flourish, and as it were shoot forth again the ancient Laurel branches of his ancestors. Now I say is the time, that thou O France mayst boast, that thou hast not only a Themistocles, an Alexander, or a Caesar, but even all three comprised in the sole courage of this great Henry the fourth. Now is the time that the old proverb may be verified in him. That nothing is difficult to a valiant mind: Likewise that he hath clambered to the rock of virtue: and that he hath purchased the type of perfection; that he hath out faced the hazards, and for a long time carried away and holden the title of a great King and Captain, whom all the world admireth and feareth, under his clemency, courtesy, valour and benignity. God grant that France may long enjoy so favourable a sunshine, to beat away the storms that otherwise are likely to fall thereupon: likewise that his life, his goodness, and valour, may in his virtue possess the greatest worldly Empires.  
Amen.  
FINIS.   

The Oration of sir Philip Cauriana, Knight, pronounced to the most Christian Queen Mary de Medicis, at her departure out of Tuscan to go into France. and dedicated to the Queen.  
To the Lady Duchess of Nemours, the Queen's Governess.  
IT were a matter most absurd, most discreet and famous Princess, to suffer this brief translation, as it were by hap hazard, to present itself at the feet of this great Queen, without your favourable safe conduct. Men might say: What presumptuous dolt is this, that dare thus approach to this Majesty, newly arrived for our tranquillity, and as yet ignorant of the manners & fashions of this Country? Is she not sufficiently bufied in the receiving of her deserved honours, done unto her both by great and small, towns and commonalties as she goeth? Is not her name sufficiently honoured with that high title which the heavens and her virtue do grant her? What can this man add to her glory, saving only his particular vows of small efficacy? Pardon me good Lady, and if it please you to way this my zeal in the ballanc●… of your singular wisdom, and if you find it over light or of bad assay, send it to the mint and suppress it: but if it hang in equal poise, as we say, or that it be too light of some few grains, do it this favour, to let it pass at how low a price so ever you shall think good. This benefit shall proceed only from your favour and courtesy: and by this course you shall stir up the gallant spirits of France to seek to delight her with some brave and comely conceit, saying: sith this man for so small industry employed upon another man's argument was so favonrably accepted, how much more shall we in giving her Majesty a far richer gift? yet it is always to be considered, that Majesties do limit their contentment not after the value or riches, which they need not, but as things do delight them. Witness the common example of the king that accepted the country man's Radishes, who was well rewarded: and the Gentleman who grounding himself upon the like reasons, looked for a far greater reward if he presented a better thing, and thereupon presented his Majesty with a goodly horse and of great value: to whom the king, very well conceiving his meaning, gave in reward the poor man's Radishes which he had dearly paid for. Thus I beseech GOD most excellent Princess to keep and preserve you. Written in the holy year 1600.  
Your most humble and most affectionate servant, Chappuys.   

To the Queen.  
TO the end, most glorious Queen, to represent unto you the truth of that which was foretold you by the L. Knight Cauriana, in his eloquent and gallant discourse unto you presented, at your prosperous departure out of Tuscan to come into this realm, where through Gods grace you are now resident: namely, to your glory, your fame, and your rare virtues, should hereafter minister argument and matter to writers: albeit myself be none of the number of those whose Pen may be worthy, yet hath a natural instinct, that should urge us to honour you, made me the first that should break this Ice. Howbeit to avoid the title of presumption, in taking more upon me than I am able to perform, I have thought good only to translate into this language the self same discourse of Cauriana, to the end that by this means you may the better like of my zeal, which may minister unto you an entrance to learn (if already you know it not) the language of your affectionate Frenchmen: besides that, otherwise I am not able more worthily to celebrate your great virtues and commendations. The Lord vouchsafe long to preserve you, to the good and quiet of this estate.  
Your most humble and most obedient servant and subject. G. CHAPPVYS.   

The Oration of S. Philip Cauriana, Knight: delivered to the most christian Queen Mary de Medicis, upon her departure out of Tuscan for France.  
IS it true, most noble Tuscans? and is the time come, that we may with sighs breath out, Eel tenebre nostre altrui fann' Alba? And our darkness breed a clear morning to others? That this noble Plant, which we have so carefully cherrished and bred up, should upon the convenient term of her growth, the glorious prop and pillar of our whole hope, be transported into a foreign country? shall the glory of our greatness serve to the glory of the greatness of others? Or shall we with dry eyes behold so sorrowful and woeful a departure? Is it true, most Christian Queen, that you can abandon the goodly land of Tuscan, your native country, to pass into France? shall the river Arnus, for so many honours famous, in whose arms you have taken your birth, with her quiet stream, submit her glory, or give place to the ravenous or impeteous course of the river of Rhosne, that expecteth you in those parts? And shall the Tuscan Nymphs, as unfortunate Bees, have spent their time in framing and beautifying your spirit with virtue, to the end their labours may serve to delight the taste of others, through the sweetness of your behaviour and royal countenances? Alas, how grievous is our condition! O hard law of Himene, which estranging young and tender Virgins from the houses of their parents, and from the sweet presence and cherishings of their mothers, doth oftentimes lead them as banished persons into far countries, differing from their own, both in laws, manners & language. But proceed and go most noble Queen, to the place where the heavens have appointed. Sweep boldly over the proud Tirrene Sea: for Neptune appeaseth the waves, Aeolus suppresseth the winds, juno maketh the air clear, and the Sky adorned with favourable stars, which promise unto you all tranquillity and calms: and peradueuture enamoured of you, they all do strive who shall show most fervent zeal to prosper your voyage of all men desired. Go forward as assured to receive the honours due to your high birth or royal virtues: for with you do go the graces; modesty, wisdom, chastity and beauty.  
Go forth to the place where you have a new empire provided: for virtue guideth you, and fame goeth before you, publishing your name, with a fame of eternal remembrance, making the day memorable, wherein you did abandon Italy to pass into France: go forth merry and glad to the place where every man doth expect you with as great zeal and affection, as ever princess was expected. For out of this famous and royal marriage every one doth hope of a famous issue of some invincible Heros, with eternal peace, not only to the gallant King of France, but also to all Europe. The valiant Henry doth already look for you, who being the conqueror of so much people, desireth in person to yield up unto you the glory of his victories: to you, I say, who from all eternity have been destined to be the conqueror of him. Now doth he desire to behold, not your portraiture, but even yourself: and transformed into you, for your sake and your good hap, to undertake more glorious enterprises, and to grow greater and more famous than himself.  
Go your ways therefore, and you shall be assured to behold a most Noble Kingdom, a most fruitful soil, a most courteous people, a most strong and valiant nation, and a limited liberty of all modesty. Go your ways (I say) merrily to the place where they will offer to your name eternal sacrifices of haughty and singular minds: and where life is more lifelike then in any place of the world. There shall you ●●…de the India's for wealth, happy Arabi●… for goodness of air, and Arcadia and Olympus for pleasures. Oh how greatly and that justly, will the nymphs of divers countries envy you that were not able to divert the magnaminious Henry from your love; as also could not all the feigned countenances of flattery, or the continual subtleties practised by divers to hinder this marriage, that was first concluded in heaven, and afterward approved and admired by men.  
O most valiant king, invincible Prince: you that have so many years most gloriously been the burden both of Civil and foreign wars, & so fortunately laboured and sweat in your armour: behold, this is that fair Nymph whom your famous poets, replenished with divine fury, have of long foretold to be reserved in heaven for you, as the recompense, of your labours, travails and heroical virtues: the same who shall quiet your mind: the same that in whose discretions and fidelity, you shall repose your most inward and secret cogitations: who being your companion in your kingdom, shall also accompany you in your fortunes, adding to your glory a new lustre or brightness: who by her fruitfulness shall cure the ancient wounds of your flourishing kingdom This is that beautiful and rich crown of felicity and contentation, that was to environ the royal head, which for a last ornament hath justly deserved to be joined and referred to both your royal heads.  
Happy therefore is that soil that hath brought forth so noble a plant: neither is it any marvel that others do envy her, sith her beauty and grace by unusual means do strive among them. Blessed was that most religious and most virtuous Mother, that beautified the world with so worthy a daughter: and had the heavens permitted her to see that which at this day we do behold, she would most willingly have departed this life.  
Also you the most invincible Heros, or great Lords of the Imperial blond of Ostrich, that live most happily in the Elysian fields, beholding the happy offspring, the young branch of your most worthy line, who borne and brought up in Italy, is going to take possession of the French Empire: Behold your glory shining more eminent than ever heretofore in three princes, in these days descended out of the heavens, as new Angels, unto the earth: who by their Empire and consanguinity do embrace in manner the whole world; the most virtuous Mary, the most religious Margaret, and the most discreet Isabel, who reigneth in Flanders, as the other in Spain. You glorious & magnimious father, whom the heavens have forbidden to see your daughter so well beloved and made much off, at her coming to be marriageable, and so highly married: look down from the place where thy virtues have placed thee, and behold this new Queen, of thy glory and fullness of thy felicity: thou shalt see that in virtue she representeth thy ancestors, and in her actions, thy greatness: so that by the just law of nature we do commonly of good seed look to reap good fruit. Now hath the world most virtuous Queen, had so much speech of you, not only in Italy and Germany, but also in England & Spain, with equal praise and envy, that yourself have been the continual subject of all discourses holden within these ten years in all Imperial & royal courts, whensoever they mentioned any great marriage: neither doth there even at this day, any one pass the Alps, that part Italy and France, but with great marvel is inquisitive, even among the common sort, saying: Is it I pray you true, that the Princess Mary is so fair, as it is said? Is she so gracious as the voice goeth? And is it true that she shall be our Queen? Oh how happy for us if this might come to pass: so should we think the loss of our goods and most precious things, befallen us in these our civil wars almost of forty years continuance, to be but small, in regard of the good that we are to hope for in so beautiful, excellent, and reverent a marriage? and this only, not a woman, but a goddess, should suffice to recover all our calamities. This your honourable fame, and this general desire of every man, runneth over the Alps, even unto the uttermost bounds of France: neither is there Painter or Carver of Images, but with all industry, as of their Queen, do endeavour to draw your image and portraiture to the perfection of his skill. There is not so mean a man, or howsoever poor, but hath it in his house: and as in time passed the Image of Augustus was worshipped in private houses, even so it was at this day. Truly it is a great matter that in the conceits of infinite persons, there should be form first the Idea of some great matter to come, from the which by like means the issue should be taken: also that they cannot possibly be drawn from this first conceit, until the occasion be fulfilled, which afterward coming to light, discovereth the truth of the universal judgement. The like hath happened in you, most virtuous Mary, who being descended from kings, grafted and allied to great kings, and endued with royal conditions, after the troublesome decease of King Henry the third, were in the judgement of all men married to the valiant Henry of Bourbon. Such a judgement, albeit assessed by man, was notwithstanding, the work of God & fatal from heaven, who having cut off all & so great hindrances, which as the world knoweth, seemed insuperable, and crossed your present marriage, have now knit you in an indissoluble knot, to the invincible king of France. These surely are miracles, works unexpected: effects whose causes are unknown to us, and testimonies that God hath always a care of kings and Princes. Well may you think that neither your father's treasure, neither the nobility of your blood, neither your great estates, which the king needeth not: but the only fame of your virtues, of your graces, of your Christian pity, & of your beauty, did induce this great king to ask you in marriage, who had no want of sweet and flattering Sirens, or store of crafty Circe's, which in divers sorts raised love wars against him, and laid siege to overcome him: yet he firm and constant, as a rock against the billows and waves of the sea, would never change, neither will ever alter his mind: much less now, when having seen your presence to surpass and exceed the report, he shallbe forced to rest entangled in your gracious looks: & his most generous agents, that so laboured you for his wife, shall now reverence you for the chiefest and greatest Queen in Christendom, as you are, and be content to surrender all their desires to your present glory. Thus have the heavens always, and in time fit and convenient, been liberal of their favours to a virtuous and innocent Princess. Yield therefore perpetual praise to God, and thank the wisdom, and more than fatherly piety of your uncle Don Ferdinando the great duke towards you. Commend the goodness and exemplary life of that great Christian rather in deed than name, out of whose marriage yours was divided, as out of great things greater are form. For in these young years of your tender age, you were by them so brought up and trained in virtue & Christian piety, that the most Christian king, moved and inflamed with the report of your name, craved you in marriage. Oh happy couple, O most glorious marriages, O memorable conjunction, & most glorious fruits which we expect from you? I do already behold, neither am I deceived, a most noble line issuing from you which spreading the French name over the whole world, shall plant an other Gallogretia, an other Celtiberi● in the farthest parts of the East: & yourselves shall henceforth be a sufficient ground for all writers, gravers and Painters to employ themselves in their exercises. You shall minister occasion of speech both public & private, both in devout and secular places, & every man still will talk of your actions, of your manners, and of your gestures: yea many times will they say: Thus said great Queen Mary, Thus did she. Thus shall you live immortal in the memory of mortal men, with the true titles of honour & glory, neither feigned nor begged. Go therefore forth, and continue your journey most Christian Queen, proud of the most worthy troop of so many Princes, Princesses, & most noble Kntghts' & Gentlemen that wait upon you: of so many souls which accompany you with their vows & prayers unto God for your prosperous journey & fruitfulness, but far more of Angels, into whose tuition our good God hath committed you. And you most happy Tisi that carriest so great a Queen, fear thou neither tempests nor rocks, for with her thou carriest her good fortune. You go into a realm, where the magnanimous Katherine your kinswoman by the father, did so gloriously command almost for the space of forty years, that the name of your most famous family, borne to sway the greatest Empires, is holden in very great account. You go to a kingdom established in a Monarchy, & at the same time in Christianity, almost thirteen hundred years ago. You go to that place where you were expected, desired, & adored, before ye were known: even you, whose virtues & religion were heard of before your name. You marry the most gallant warrior that ever drew sword, who in a long & set order of his predecessors of the self nation & line is the sixty & fifth. What farther portion of humane felicity do you want? I do already see all the shores of Provence covered with people of all ages & kinds, and of all sorts, kneeling before you & saluting you as their Queen, not omitting any token of perfect and inward mirth & joy, for your coming.  
What shall we then do, that have nursed and brought you up? shall we by our slackness seem to envy Province, or rather all France in their joy? shall we dislike your contentment & glory? oh! God forbidden. Nay rather as in the beginning of my speech I advised you, most virtuous Tuscan, to have your recourse to sighs & sobs, and sorrowful lamentations for her departure, so now, being come again to myself, & having overcome sorrow, I think it more necessary that we rejoice with her, to whom Italy being but a small matter, the king of heaven hath given the fairest kingdom, together with the mightest king Christian to be her spouse & husband, because her glory is our glory. Fear not that her far journey shall ever blot out of her mind the love that she beareth us, or suppress the memory of the sacrifice of our harrs, which we have already so long since offered unto her. For such a heavenly substance as she is, is not subject to times or alterations, as other mortal creatures are: but being far distant from her country, she will resemble the Sun, that heateth more by reflection and reverberation, then by the direct beams thereof. And you also, most noble and beautiful Gentlewomen, sith your sex is by this rather divine then humane mary, at this time mounted so high, give ye thanks unto God, and sounding forth his glorious name, show some token of your inward joy, and where your words cannot, let it be supplied by your affections, minds, and a reverend silence. Print in your hearts her lively Image; seek to imitate her in her virtues and manners: for in so doing, you shall show no less sign of reverence and love towards her, then if you should continually celebrate her with Hymns and praises.  
Purposely O holy Father Clement the eight, have I forborn to speak of you until the end of my discourse, to the end my words may remain the more lively printed in the hearts of the Readers. But what shall I say of you: for you have showed that things acbompted unpossible of man, are subject to your power, wisdom & felicity. In a few words you did both begin & end the important war of Ferrara, and that without bloodshed. With your weapons & counsel you have freed the greatest part of Hungary from the tyranny and oppression of the Turks, you have with great dexterity concluded and settled peace so long desired, & with most men almost despaired off between the two most mighty kings of France & Spain. The last you have conjoined in marriage with the most religious Margarit of Ostrich, & now you are conjoining of this man with the most glorious Mary of Medicis, for from you grew the beginning, and without you our endeavours were but vain, our hopes vain, yea they were but dreams & vows. It was you, yea even you, that began this work, well may we therefore & in truth, name you both in your thoughts & deeds, most fortunate and happy. But O great Ferdinand, with what full and convenient reward shall all Italy make you recompense? for among all your royal actions since your election to the Tuscan Empire, this marriage by you conceited, discreetly advised, handled, and concluded, is their fullness, their glory, & their perfection, & with such as can discern the nature of the present time, and the course of humane affairs, your greatness shall for ever be esteemed the safety of Italy, & the preservation of the christian commonwealth: so that naming you the father of Italy, they shall attribute unto you the name & title that to you appertaineth, and withal cause you at all times & with all men, to be holden for a most wise & happy Prince, as you are. proceed therefore most innocent and most christian Mary on your journey, loaden with as great glory as ever had Princess: & let these be your names & titles, Chaste, Wise, Religious & Happy: and at all times remember the order of the Knights of S. Stephan, most affectionate to your name, favour them with your countenance & felicity, as the most principal workmanship of your magnanimous grandfather on the father side, & now by your most noble Uncle, brought to so high a degree, that all places under the sun are now replenished with the glory of their name: beside that you here see them most ready to become your faithful shelter in this most happy passage: never disdain that unfeignedly & without flattery, they have thought good this day to celebrate your divine honours.  
FINIS.