THE LIFE OF THE MOST GODLY, VALEANT AND NOBLE captain and maintainer of the true Christian Religion in France, JASPER COLIGNIE SHATIlion, sometime great Admiral of France.  
Translated out of Latin by Arthur Golding.  
Imprinted at London by Thomas Vautrollier. 1576.   

THE LIFE OF jasper Colignie Shatilion, sometime great Admiral of FRAVNCE.  
IN THE borders of Bresse not far from Burgundy, there is a Town of great antiquity called Colony, with a castle adjoining thereto, sometime of very great strength, in respect whereof, in the time of our forefathers, it was called in the vulgar tongue, the fortress, that is to say the bulwark or defence of all the country about it. The Lords of that town and castle, were after the accustomed manner of their ancestors, called the Lords of Colony, but afterward the name was corrupted among the Frenchmen, & they were called the Lords of Colignie. It is an old opinion among the inhabiters there, and it disagreeth not with Caesar's writings, that it is the same place wherein Caesar at his arrival with his army in France, heard the Ambassadors of the Burgonions & Nivernoys complaining of the Swissers for coming into France with an army, and for wasting their country. For the next hill retaineth the name of julius, and is called jules mount unto this day, and the town hard by it is named Cesaree. This is certain, that the Lords of Colignie had very great lands and possessions in old time in that country, & that the Towns of Naūtua and Mouluet and all the territories of those Cities were under their jurisdiction. Whereof many other things are a record, & specially the standard of measures, which bear the name of Colignie measures, even unto this day, in the Towns, villages and manors thereabouts, and are received from that Colignie by the inhabitants of those parts, The arms or cognisance of the house of Colignie, which they give after the ancient manner of noble and worshipful families, is a crowned Eagle: and it is certain that that house had the right of sovereignty, (which after the custom of antiquity is called Royalties) so as they had power of life and death over the folk of their signory, with authority to pardon such as were condemned to die, and to coin money stamped with the mark of the crowned Eagle, and to raze taxes and subsidies upon their tenants and farmers when need required. Therefore according to their so great ability, they founded a great number of Religious houses whom they endued with very great revenues: among which was the Abbey of Marent, situate in the Earldom of Awssone: the Abbeys of Momerline and Shelliom in the Country of Bresse: and Colignie in Burgundy, all which they endued with like privileges and fraunchizes, as the house of Colignie itself had: & so did they also to divers towns, as Treffort, jasseron, S. German, Damberie, Amburney, & Pounsignie whose inhabiters hold still the right given to them by the Lords of Colignie, even unto this day.  
In the Abbey of Marent are certain ancient Registers that make mention of Hubberd of Colignie, who in the year of our Lord a thousand a hundred and sixandfortie, accompanying the Emperor Conrade the third then going with a great army into the East to recover jerusalem, came home again for certain causes, and preparing himself soon after to return thither, carried with him five Sons, Gwirik, William, Hubberd, Gwy, Dalmace, and Bernard. By the same Registers and by the writings and Registers of other Abbeys, it appeareth that Gwirik had a Son called Hubberd which was Lord of Colignie and Andelot, who had issue Amedey, the father of Steven, who had issue john, and he another Steven,, and he another john, of whom came james, and of him William which obtained the Barony commonly called Mount S. johnes in Burgundy, and was Lord of the town and castle of Shatilion in France, which town standeth upon the river of Loing.  
Of this William descended john, and of john, jasper the father of this our jasper. For this pedigree of that noble and renowned house containing well-near five hundred years, is kept safe in Registers, and in the writings of the same family. jasper the father of this our jasper flourished under King Francis the first, and had to wife Joys Memorancy, the sister of Annas Memorancy high Constable of France: and because he had a house in the Castle that standeth by the Town of Shatilion he was called the Lord Shatilion, by means whereof the same surname is conveyed to his children and posterity. Of this man's prowess, Martin Bellay a valiant gentleman which wrote the french stories of his time, giveth a notable testimony. For in the second book of his commentaries, he writeth in manner to this effect.  
In the year of our Lord 1522, the Admiral Bonnivet had taken Fontarabbie in the Marches of Spain. But assoon as he was returned into France, & had brought home his power with him: the spaniards fell too besieging of the Town with a great army. By which siege when the Townsmen were brought too extreme penury of all things, for it had continued about twelve moons, and it is certain that a great number perished through famine for want of food, so that the matter stood in great extremity: the King having intelligence thereof, commanded the Marshal Shatilion too levy an army in all haste, and too go too the rescue of them that were besieged. The Shatilion having mustered his army, sped him thitherward in all haste. Howbeit when he came near Bayon, he was taken with a sore sickness, whereof he died, too the great loss of the Realm of France. For he was a man of great experience in Martial affairs, and carried great countenance of authority with him. Thus much sayeth Bellay. This jasper died in a town commonly called Axe the sixth of August in the year 1522. leaving behind him three sons, Odet, jasper and Francis.  
As touching Loyse his wife, this is worthy of remembrance, that having led a holy life, insomuch as she was counted an example of womanhod, and was Lady of Honour (as they term it) too Queen Helenor wife of King Francis the first: at her death she gave this record of the true and pure religion which she had embraced. For whereas she had this saying of David's Psalm always in her mouth, And his mercy endureth from generation too generation towards them that fear him: she warned her eldest son Odet Shatilion, which was then already made a Cardinal, and utterly forbade him too suffer any sacrifyzer or massepreest too come in her presence, telling him that it was revealed unto her by God's singular benefit, both how she should worship him after a godly manner, and also how she should departed out of the prison of this body, unto the heavenly country. she deceased at Paris the year of our Lord .1547. in the house which is now called Memorancy house. Odet the eldest of her sons, was in the xuj year of his age created Cardinal, (as is said afore) by Pope Clement the seventh, (who thought the nobleness of that house fit for the establishment of his own estate in France) and rewarded with very great and rich benefices by the King. By means whereof, the second son, whose name was jasper (as I said afore) obtained the prerogative that was dew too the eldest son. This jasper was borne the year of our Lord 1517. the xuj day of February, whom for the wonderful towardness of virtue and wit which he showed being yet a child, his mother after the decease of his father, caused too be brought up in learning from his tender years, putting him too school to Master Nicolas Berald, who bore the chief fame for learning in those days through all France, cawsing him moreover too be trained up in feats of arms, by the skllfullest teachers and masters of Chivalry that she could get.  
jasper being trained up in such instructions, when he came to the xxiiii year of his age, showed wonderful forwardness in the siege of Bains, besieged by King Frauncissis eldest son, commonly called the Dolphin. Bellay in the tenth book of his History, reporteth that about the year of our Lord 1543, he was stricken in the throat by his enemies with a pellet of lead, as he adventured too near the ditch. The same year when word was brought too the King, that the state of his affairs in Piemount was such, as it was like that they should come too a pitched field with their enemies, he craved leave of him, and riding thither in post, gave great proof of his prowess in that battle (which is commonly called the battle of Cerisoles) as the same Bellay recordeth in the said tenth book of his commentaries. By reason whereof, within few years after, Henrye the son of King Francis, did put him in chief authority. For when Annas Memorancy the Uncle of jasper, was General of the men of arms, he gave this man the charge of the French footmen: which office is in the common language called the Colonel of the footmen. He behaved himself in such wise in that room, as he purchased himself great commendation for his justice, Ualeantnesse, and wisdom within few moons after, and got the good wills of all the people of France. For whereas erst it was grown into a most wicked custom, that the soldiers might run gadding every where under their antsignes, and make havoc and spoil of all things: jasper tied them too streyter orders of warlike discipline, thereby too restrain their over-licentiowse dealings, and specially too repress the liberty of their cursed swearing and blasphemy: wherethrough the seed of true godliness and religion appeared alreedie in his heart. And forasmuch as those laws or orders were very well liked of all good men: shortly after, they were proclaimed by the King's commandment and in his name, and enrolled in the book of the King's laws. About the same time the same King advanced him too the honour which is now utterly embased, but at that time was counted a room of great estimation, namely too be one of the Knights of the order.  
At the same season there fell a grudge between Henrye King of France, and Henrye King of England for the Town of Bullen. Therefore when the King of France disinherited the Inglishmen, he betook the ordering of that Country, and almost of the whole matter to the Shatilion. Upon the receipt of which commission, he went immediately into Picardy, whither King Henrye had sent his host too besiege the Town, and by singular policy bwilded a fort near the Town, which might be both a defence too the Frenchmen, and a great let too keep the townsmen from issewing out. That fort is yet still called the Shatilion, of the bwilders name: and it was a great furtherance too the winning of the Town. Therefore it was not long after, ere the Inglishmen began too treat of composition: the commission of the making whereof was committed wholly to the Shatilion, and too his uncle Mounsyre de Rochepote. When he had dispatched these matters, he returned too the Court, and within few years after was made Lord Admiral of France, which is counted the chiefest dignity within the Realm, because he hath the chief rule of the Sea that beateth upon France, and the charge of the King's Navy and of all his seamen and seamatters. Also the King made him his Lieutenant of two shires, that is too wit of Picardy and of the isle of France, inhonoring him furthermore with the Capteinship of the men of arms, and making him one of the Lords of his privy counsel.  
The next year following which was the .1554. the Emperor of Germany Charles the fifth, & Marie Queen of England joining their forces together, made sore and sharp war upon Henrye King of France. The Shatilion was chosen by the consent of all good men, as the only man that was able to resist so great enemies by his prowess and policy. Therefore the ordering of that most sharp and terrible war, which concerned Picardy moste of all, was committed by the King to the Admiral, that he should raze a power and govern the marches of the Lowecountrie. Through the linking together of the forces of so mighty enemies, and the opinion that was had of the Emperor Charles, who was renowned over all the world, the whole realm of France was stricken in great fear, because the King was utterly unprovided both of money and of other things needful for the maintenance of war, and no man doubted but that France was likely to go presently to wreck, considering the great distress of all things. Whereof when the Admiral had both advertised the King, and communicated it to his friends, he thought it best to salve the matter with some truce. The King and his Counsel liking well of this his devise, committed the handling of the matter to him, and he within few days brought it to pass to the incredible joy and gladness of all the Realm, and to his own singular praise for preserving of his country, because the conditions of the truce were both honourable and very profitable to the Realm.  
About the same time the Guyses of the house of Lorrein, which made their vaunt that the kingdom of Sicily and Naples belonged to them of right, and that it was wrongfully wrested from them by the Spaniards, made the King believe, that now of late years they had won the hearts of the most part of the nobility of Naples, partly by liberality & partly by fair promises, and that by their means the King should have easy entrance into the Realm, so that if he would grant them a part of his power, it would come to pass, that those kingdoms should in short time be brought under his Dominion, without any great trouble. Thus through counsel of the Guyses,, the truce that was sworn a few months before, was broken to the great dishonour of the french nation: which falsehood the Admiral took grievously and sore to heart, oftentimes protesting that such perjuries had always bred mischief in the end, and that God had in all ages been a most severe revenger of such forswearings. To the furtherance whereof, he was compelled by the King's commandment, to fall to practices of war in his province, against the peace & against his own promise. Hereoutof sprung first privy heart-burning, afterward an entrance to the open hatred that was betwixt them. Also this was a furtherance thereof, that whereas the King had granted a combat between two Gentlemen in the borders of Picardy, although the Duke of Guise was then present, yet the Shatilion thought it stood him on hand so to deal, as he himself might be chief umper in the matter, because the challenge was to be performed in his province. Moreover, another cause of the Guises' hatred is reported to be this: that whereas in their youth they had been linked together with singular familiarity, insomuch that to testify their friendship with all, they went apparelled in like raiment: the Duke of Guise asked the admirals advice how he liked of his brother the Duke of Aumalls' intent, in purpozing to marry the Seneschal of Valentinoes' daughter, who was highly in King Henry's favour, and as highly defamed among good men. To whom the Admiral answered, that he made more account of an inch of good name, then of never so great riches: which saying of the Admiral's the Duke of Guise and the Duke of Aumerle took in great displeasure, as though it had been spoken to bar the house of Gwyse from greater power preferment and pre-eminence.  
Howbeit when the King was advertised that the Spaniards levied men of war in the frontiers of the Low countries, and that their forces assembled into one place: he thought it most for the safety of Picardy, to sand the Admiral thither out of hand with an army, whom we have showed already to have btn the Lieutenant of that Country. He had scarcely marched two days journey, but he was certified by his espials, that the Spaniards were minded to besiege S. Quintines a town of Picardy not unrenowmed, and to batter it out of hand with great store of double Canons. Therewithal he had word sent him by Brullio the Captain of the Castle of Ham, that as soon as the townsmen had tidings thereof, there rose such a fear throughout all the City, that many householders left their wives, children and all other things behind them, and took them to flight. When the Admiral heard that, yet he thought it meet to conceal it among his men of war, and pretending great lustiness of courage, marched on in great journeys towards S. Quintines. When jernacke, and Lusarche whom the Admiral had made Lieutenant of the men at arms dissuaded him from it with many words, declaring unto him that the town was neither well fortified nor well victualed, and moreover that the townsmen were stricken in fear, & a great power of the enemies would be come thither before any thing could be provided for the defence of the town, & therefore it was more for their commodity & praise to maintain the wars in the open field, than to study how to save themselves cooped up within walls: the Admiral being no whit moved with those words of theirs, continued in his purpozed exploit, declaring to them, of how great importance that town was, both to the putting back of the Spanish force from the destruction of his country, & to the safety of his province: & how great occasion of speech he should give to spiteful and malicious persons, if he should altar his purpose. The next day word was brought him, that the most part of the soldiers which were appointed to him by the kings commandment for the defence of the town, and whom he had sent one night afore him to cheer up the hearts of the townsmen, had hid themselves in the next woods for fear, and were slipped every man home too his own house by by-ways. That day therefore there followed him no more but a hundred & twenty, whom six score more followed the next day. Whereof the enemies having intelligence by their skowts, came too the town in haste, & dividing their works, began too make a trench about it. When they had taken certain little cottages in the suburbs, and drew near too the dyches with their winding trenches: the Admiral making a salye out upon them, commanded faggots and fyrebronds too be thrust into those houses, and set them on fire, whereby he drove the enemy further of. The next day when he had viewed all parts of the town, and found no bulwarks, no rampires, not towers of defence: he began too distrust the town, and too be afraid of long siege. Nevertheless, forasmuch as the case stood so with him, that he was driven either too defend the town, and too stop the rage of the enemies from the destroying of his country, or else too die manfully in the quarrel: look what was possible for him too devyze and bring too pass by care, travel and watching, he did it: not overslipping any thing in making of fortifications, in cutting of trenches, and in rayzing up rampires everywhere. And too the intent too give example of peynfulnesse and travel too the townsmen, and too his soldiers, and too the Gentlemen that came with him: he was the first man that did set hand too the works, and never departed from them till they were ended. While he was in this perplexity, soodeinly unlooked for, news was brought him that Mounsyre d'Andelot his brother (of whom mention is made afore) was come into the town, and had brought about .500. soldiers with him. Besides this, the King being advertised from him, into how great peril the Town seemed too be brought, commanded the Constable too high him thither with certain Gwidons of horsemen, & too carry in victuals with him, and too fortify the town with a greater garrison. But the Spaniards compassing him with a greater company of Launceknyghts, & with a great power of footmen, overcame him in battle, and took him prisoner, and having made a great spoil of his men, drove the rest back again further into France. Upon the report of which news in the town, such a fear struck into the hearts of all men, that the Admiral could scarce do any good with his incoragements. Being moved with sorrow hereat, & grieved with so great peril of his country, he called his people together, and told them that more regard was too be had of their country then of life: and thereupon he took an oath of them all, as well the townsmen as his soldiers, that it should be death for any of them too make mention of yielding, and that it should be lawful for every man too kill such a one unpunished. He himself took the oath first of all. The Spaniards being puffed up with so great a victory, returned too the siege of the town, & never left beating of it with great ordinance by the space of .20. days together, and moreover made winding trenches about the walls, wherein too come covertly and privily to the ditches. When the Admiral saw that the most part of the wall was cast down with the continual battery, and a great breach open into the town, and the enemies ready to give the assault: he encouraged his soldiers to abide that one brunt, saying that if they foiled their enemies at that time, they would not be over hasty to adventure again: and thereupon he himself stood to defence where he saw the breach widest, assigning the other parts of the town to his brother and to the rest of his friends to defend. The enemies beholding so strong a counterforce on that side, assaulted the town on two other sides. Whereof when tidings was brought to the Admiral, he left such as he trusted best at his standing, and hied him to the next, where he found his men driven away, and the place gotten by his enemies, and a part of the City pestered with armed men. There was with him a noble young gentleman called Auentignie, whom he had brought up in his house of a child, and a page, and a child of a noble house that bore his javelin, which were suddenly assailed and enclosed about by certain Spaniards, who having knowledge of the Admiral, took him prisoner, and after the winning of the town, conveyed him to Antwerp: where being attached with sore sickness and vexed forty days with an ague, at such times as his fits left him, he commanded a Bible to be brought unto him, to ease the grief and sorrow of his mind with reading of it. And he studied so much upon it, that he began from thensforthe to have a taste of that pure religion & true godliness, & to learn the right manner of calling upon God.  
When he had paid fifty thousand pound for his ransom, and was come home again from captivity, having gotten some leyzure, and being weighed of the broils of the Court, he set his mind earnestly thenceforth upon Religion, & by the King's permission gave over his Colonelship of the footmen to his brother Mounsyre d' Andelot, & his Lievetennantship of the isle of France too his nephew the Marshal Memorancy, his sister's son by the Constable. And it was not long after ere he sent a familiar friend of his too the King, certifying him in most humble wise, that he was minded too give up his charge in Picardy, & beseeching him too look well about him too whom he committed it. The King answered that he thought this sewt of his very strange, and that he dealt not wizely in dispossessing of himself of so many rooms and offices at once. From thenceforth many began to suspect the Admiral that he had changed his religion, and in deed he showed a mind utterly void of all ambition and desire of authority.  
Within a while after, King Henry died, and his son Francis succeeded. This Francis had taken too his wife Mary Queen of Scots, the daughter of the Duke of Gwysis sister, by reason whereof the house of Gwyse grew in great favour and authority with the King, and oftentimes bragged to him of the kingdom of Ingland, which they affirmed to belong too their said kinswoman, so that in the Court they were commonly called the King's Uncles. The Admiral knowing their cruel, barbarous, and fierce nature, and perceiving that they would never desist from troubblesum devices, and specially that they would most eagerly persecute religion, stack to his accustomed purpose, and determined to give up his lieftennantship. Heruppon he broke his mind to Lewis of Bourbon a Prince of the blood royal, cononly called the Prince of Codey, who had married his sister's daughter, counseling him to sew to the King for that charge.  
So the Admiral being discharged of divers cares, and set free from a number of affairs, which withdrew his godly mind from the study of religion, kept himself at home in his castle of Shatilion, and that so much the willinglier, because his wife Sharlot de Lavall a woman of a noble & ancient stock, was wonderfully given to the following of godliness, (which he took too be a singular benefit of God) insomuch that she even encouraged her husband too forsake superstition and the worshipping of Idols, and to embrace the christian religion with his whole heart. When the Admiral perceived that she dealt often and very earnestly with him in the matter, he himself also determined to deal earnestly with her at once. And therefore he told her in many words, that in all his life he never saw or heard of any man either in Germany or in France, but he was in danger too be overwhelmed with great miseries and calamities, if he embraced the religion any thing earnestly: and that the Laws of King Francis the first, & of King Henry the second, being looked to most straightly in all Courts of justice, commanded that all such as were condemned of that Religion, should be burned quick in public places, and all their goods be forfeited to the King: and yet nevertheless he trusted that his heart was so settled, as he should not refuse the common case of all the protestants, nor fail of his duty. she answered that the case of the protestants of that time, was none other than the case of the true Christians of all ages had been: neither doubted she but it should be the same still to the world's end. When they had plighted their faiths on both sides each to other, the Admiral began by little and little to frame his household & familiar friends to the knowledge of God by godly speeches, and to deliver them not only the holy bible, but also other books written of religion in french, to read, forbidding them all swearing & blasphemous banning, commonly used in the Realm of France, but specially among the Courtiers. Moreover he set godly governors and teachers over his children, so that within a few months the house of Shatilion was of a new hew and his other two brothers, Odet (whom I have showed afore to have been made a Cardinal) and Mounsyre d'Andelot were greatly inflamed to religion by that example. For the Admiral had always even from his young years, been trained up in the pleazures and corrupt manners of the King's Court, and he was not thought to have been clear of that infection. Notwithstanding, when he once began to have a taste of the true religion, there appeared suddenly so great an alteration in his life and conversation, as a man might easily perceive the force of God's spirit in that so sudden change, & found this saying of Christ's too be most true, that they which are endued with God's spirit, are after a sort borne again and made new men. And this seemeth worthy of memory, that befell him before he durst prepare too the Christian feast and Sacrament of the lords supper. He had oftentimes talked with all the best learned Ministers of the French Churches, not only of transubstantiation (as the Sorbonists term it) but also of consubstantiation: & like as the nature of man's wit is too seek some local and bownded presence of the Godhead too be worshipped in some certain places, after which sort God exhibited his presence in old time in the ark of the covenant: so the Admiral required a certain mingled presence of Christ's body flesh blood and bone in the bread and the wine. At length when he had been at a Sermon that was made privily to a few in the town of Vateville, at the end whereof the Lords supper was to be ministered, he besought such as were present, that they would not be offended at his infirmity, but pray to God for him, and therewith all he requested the preacher to treat a little plainlier of the mystery of the supper. Then the preacher spoke to this effect: namely that of the Lords supper there were two parts: the one human and natural, which is seen with the eyes of the body, and the other divine and heavenly which is seen with the eyes of the mind: and that the first consisted of the minister or giver, and of bread and wine, & furthermore of the eating & drinking of them, whereof the whole action was performed after an human and natural manner: and this other consisted of God the giver of it, & of the whole fruit of the crucified, requickened, and glorified body of Christ, which fruit God gave in the supper, & moreover of the faith & belief whereby the said fruit was received of Christians, the whole action whereof was mystical, & performed after a divine, heavenly, & supernatural mean. And furthermore that forasmuch as the same action was ordained, not for the bread & wines sake, but for the Christian man's sake, & was to be referred too that end: it was in vain to be overcurious in seeking whether any thing be mixed in the bread, with the bread, under the bread, within the bread or about the bread. The bread and wine belonged to the outward doing, like as water and the dipping in it, do in Baptim. Therefore the minds of men aught too be lifted up too the heavenly and inward action, & to consider what God worketh in that Sacrament, which thing Paul showeth in these words. Is not the bread which we break the parttaking of Christ's body? & they must cry out with him, It is a secret mystery, importing the conjunction of Christ and his Church. And finally it is very truly said of Austin that to eat the meat which perisheth not, but abideth unto everlasting life, is too believe in Christ. Why preparest thou teeth & belly? believe, and thou hast eaten. And again: prepare not thy jaws, but thy heart. That is it wherewith that supper is to be eaten. Behold, we believe in Christ, whom we receive by faith. By which words the Admiral being taught, gave thanks first to God and secondly to the congregation, determining with himself too be present at the communion as soon as it should be ministered again, and too be made partaker of that most holy mystery. Whereof when the fame was blown abroad over all France, it is wondered to say how great joy and comfort all the congregations conceived. For although that unto that time the followers of the reformed religion were afflicted with most rigorous edicts of the Kings, and with continual persecutions and punishments of the judges and justicers of the Realm, so as they were fain too keep privy assemblies after the manner of the primitive Churches: yet was religion marvelously spread abroad throughout all the Shires of France, whereof a man may see many records in the Edicts or Proclamations of King Henry, & of King Francis the second, who make complaint in them, that the more labour they took after the example of Francis the first, in repressing the religion, the more it krepeth forward from day to day, shedding itself into all parts of the Realm, and growing still stronger and stronger.  
Ere it was long after, there roze a commotion at Amboys, & many noblemen conspired the destruction of the house of Gwyse, whose overlustines & lordliness a number of the french nobility & Lords could no longer away with, now when as the Prince of Condey seemed to aly that way, and there was so me likelihood that his brother the King of Navarre would make some stir ere long after: the house of Guise thought it most expedient, that the King should call an assembly of the noble men at the town of Fountaynbleawe, to know how every man was minded concerning religion. When the day of that meeting came, which was the xxiiii. of August 1560. and that the King desired such as sat in counsel with him to say their judgements: the Admiral rising out of his place, and coming honourably unto the King, did put up two supplications entitled after this manner: The supplication of such as worship God rightly & godlily, throughout divers provinces of this Realm. Both the books were delivered too Mounsyre de l'Awbespyne the King's Secretary, to read them aloud as they were written. This deed of the Admirals, for the strangeness of the matter, and in respect of the former times that he had past, and of the King's mind which was most extremely bend against religion, and of the great authority of the house of Guise, seemed somewhat with the boldest, both to the King and too the whole counsel. The effect of the books was this: That the godly and right worshippers of God taking the opportunity of that time, besought the kings majesty most humbly to extend his clemency and gentleness towards the greatest number of his subjects, who having thitherto been cumbered with many distresses, had abidden many miseries & bitter brunts for religions sake: beseeching him most humbly, too vowtsafe too take intelligence of their case, and too admit the holy scripture too the judgement of so great controversies: for thereby he should eazely perceive how greatly they abhorred, not only heresy, of which crime they had been accuzed of late years, but also sedition: forasmuch as in the uttermost extremity of all their mizeries, they minded not too resort too violence and force of arms, but too the only clemency and goodness of the King. Wherefore it might please his majesty too inhibit the judgements that were wont too be executed upon them, wherethrough no part of his Realm had escaped these former years, unimbrewed with the blood of his subjects, by reason whereof their state had thithertoo been miserable, forasmuch as they were driven too plead their case before such judges, as being the Bishop of Rome's benefyzed and feed men, did rather bear the persons of adversaries than of upright judges or indifferent umpires: and therefore they prayed him too have an eye to the great number of the calamities of his friends and liege people, which had always acknowledged him for their King and most merciful Lord, and earnestly and godlily honoured him according too God's commandment, and would not refuse too spend their lives hereafter for the maintenance of his estate, if need should require: in respect whereof it was good right, that seeing God had committed them too his charge and trust, he should defend them from the overmyghtinesse & cruelty of their adversaries: And their humble petition was, that thenceforth they might with his good favour openly worship God in public places, & be instructed in the knowledge of true godliness by their preachers, and enjoy the Sacraments that God hath ordained, least for want of being known, their religion might any longer lie open too the malicious speeches of their adversaries, because of their secret meetings.  
Upon the reading of these books, every man uttered his opinion, howbeit their talk was not so much of Religion, as of the great debt wherewith they complained that the king was in manner oppressed and overwhelmed. But the Admiral spoke many things very boldly, specially concerning the men of war which the house of Gwyse had gathered together in the heart of the realm, under colour of guarding the king's person, as although the King were in a strange country, and not in his own dominion, and therefore needed so great a guard for the safety of his person. Saying that the name of king was of so great pre-eminence in France, that any herald coming with commission in the king's name, was able too appease any uproar without further trouble. It is certain that this speech of the Admirals sank very deep into the stomachs of the Gwisians, & that it kindled their hatred against him the more vehemently. divers other were of opinion, that it were most convenient too summon a general assembly of the whole Realm, which they commonly term the assembly of the States: and it was showed, specially by Marilliak archbishop of Vien, & by Michael de l'hospital, Lord chancellor of France, whose authority bore greatest sway at that time, that the same had been the most ancient and continewall custom of the Frenchmen, and yitnotwithstanding had been omitted by the space of .87. years, through the slanders of certain flatterers.  
About the same time died king Francis the second, and his younger brother Charles the nineth being about ten years old, succeeded him, & by-and-by the old petition of Summoning a general Council was renewed. unto that time Katherine Medicee the king's mother, a Florentine borne, had lived in such state as Queens are wont to do in their widowhoods, that is too wit, as a commander of her own women, & a keeper of the person of her son: but in no wise admitted too have too do with matters of the state: and at that point was she held most straitly by the Gwisians, as long as they bore chief sway. Now forasmuch as at this time it seemed that the nobility of France would not any longer endure the burnings, tormentings, and other punishments that were wont too be executed upon the protestants, and therefore it was too be doubted lest some new commotions would rise thereof: because the Queen mother pretended a mind not ildispozed towards religion: The Admiral laboured by all means possible, & at length brought it to pass, that she was matched as a companion & partaker of that great charge of government, with Antony King of Navarre, to whom the Protectorship of the Realm was committed. Which device of his, there were many men that loved well their country, which misliked, showing by the histories of all ages, that the government of the Realm was never yet committed to Queen Mothers, specially if they were strangers borne, but it was too the undoing and destruction of the commonweal of France, and a cause of civil discord.  
When the day of the General Counsel came, he that spoke in the name of the Nobility, did in the end of his Oration offer up a book of supplication too the King's majesty, requesting that the pure religion (which they term commonly the reformed Re: ligion) might lawfully be haunted and exercyzed openly in public places. Her against stood up an adversary called Quintin, a Doctor of the Canon law, and a professor of it in Paris, who (not making, but rehercing in writing, a very long oration in the name of the Clergy, not without prompting of some priests that stood ready at his elbow, too whisper him in the ear when he was at any stop): was so bold as too say, that all such as demanded public places too exercyze religion in, were worthy too be punished as traitors and favourers of newfownd religion. Whereof when the Admiral had complained too the king's Counsel: Quintin being afraid, confessed that he had not spoken any thing of his own head at that time, but only rehearsed the book as it was delivered him in writing by the Clergimen, offering himself ready too protest and avow in the same open assembly before the King's Majesty, that he meant not any thing at all of the Admiral: which thing was done within a few days after, and so the Admiralles demand was satisfied. At the last, all Magistrates of France, and all that had commission too execute justice, were commanded by the king's authority, that they should out of hand dismiss all such as were held in ward or prison for religions sake: and they were straitly forbidden too molest any man hereafter for religion. As touching the public places where it should be lawful for them too have Sermons, the determination thereof was put over too another General Counsel, which was appointed too be at Ponthoyse a town of Picardy, but not performed. The month of januarie next insewing, a meeting of all the Princes and noble men of France was summoned too be at S. Germans, and there by the advice of certain counsellors of every Parliament, an Edict was made by the kings authority, & proclaimed throughout all France, that it should be lawful too exercise the religion in the Suburbs of all Towns.  
When this Edict was published, and the realm seemed too be settled in quietness, and the common weal too have taken some breath again, so as Sermons began too be preached peaceably and quietly in the suburbs almost of all great towns, yea and even of Paris itself: news was brought that the Duke of Gwyse, who had at that time withdrawn himself into Shampayne, had made a slaughter about .200. men at Vassey, as they were at a Sermon upon trust of the authority of the king's Edict, and were singing of Hymns after the end of common prayer in a certain berne. The Duke of Gwyse is reported too have executed this butcherly cruelty, upon presumption of the new friendship of the king of Navarre, whose weak mind he had drawn unto him by warranting him the kingdom of Sardinia, and bound him unto him by many other promises. Therefore presuming upon that trust, within few days after, he came too the Court, accompanied with his brothers and with a great train of armed men: and there took the young king and his mother, who seemed too shun that violence with great lamentation and weeping, whom he conveyed first too Melune, and anon after too Paris.  
In that time the Queen Mother sent messengers often times too the Admiral, and also wrote with her own hand too the Prince of Condey, that he should secure her and her young children, and have a care of the welfare of the realm. The Prince being moved with these things, and moreover persuaded by the entreatance of most of the noblemen of France, determined too put on arms, and too make war upon the house of Gwyse, too set the King at liberty: protesting oftentimes openly, that he feared not the slanderous speeches of some men, as although he meant too enlarge the religion by force of arms, or too make war against the king being a child. For a general assembly of the whole realm had been held at Orleans, wherein both the commons and the nobility had required the reformation of Religion, and afterward an Edict was made in that great assembly, that it should be lawful too exercise the same in suburbs and villages. And what right in the kingdom of France, had the Duke of Gwyse being borne in Lorreine? Or upon what ground should he presume, too execute such cruelty upon the king's subjects? Finally, there was no good too be done against force but by force: and therefore he himself did not move war, but by war defend peaceable people against war made upon them. Saying it was already bruited over all France, and also reported into Germany, that the Duke of Nemowrs at the provocation of the Gwisians, had with fair words enticed henry the king's brother a little child, (who since that time was created king of Pool) too have conveyed him out of the precint of the Realm: (which purpose and drift the child bewrayed too his mother, and so that discovery of that matter was at that time in all men's mouths) & that the Gwisians' despyzing the authority of the general assembly and of the king, executed butcherly cruelty at Vassey with extreme fury and pride: laid violent hands upon the king & Queen mother, & carried them away against their wills to Melune and Paris, as seemed most for the Gwisians' commodity, went into the borders of Germany a little before, and requested certain princes of Almanie too be admitted into the number of the Protestants: Invited Christopher Duke of Wirttemberg a prince of great courage and wisdom too Sauerne a town next too Strawsborow: where the Cardinal of Lorraine made two such Sermons openly in the Church before the said Prince and a great number of the professers of the religion, both Germans and Frenchmen, as he persuaded very many, that both he himself and also his brethren embraced the Religion, and were desirous too profess their names among the protestant princes.  
When these things were known, the prince of Condeyes enterpryze was so well liked in many places of France, that within few days divers Cities yielded themselves too him, and joined with him in society of the war. Among those were Orleans, Bloys, Towers, Burgis, Rouen, Lions, Vien, Valentia, Nemowrs, and Mountalbon: which were the beginners of the Civil war, whereof the butcherly slaughter of Vassey is certainly known too have been the cause. Now when as on the part of the protestants, the chief charge of the wars was by common consent of all men put too the Prince of Condey: soodeinly the Prince with like consent of all men, surrendered the charge of his government too the Admiral: and for the singular opinion that was had of his justice, gravity and wisdom, ordained him too be his leevetennant and deputy too rule in his stead. While these things were a doing, the Queen mother began too treat of peace, for the doing whereof she desired the Prince of Condey too come too her tent: and to grant her the use of Boigencie, for a few days, which town hath a bridge over the river of Loire, and therefore was (as she said) most fit for communication. The Prince upon single promise made unto him, without taking of any pledges, but only trusting to the faithfulness of his brother the King of Navarre, and too the promises of the Queen mother, went to their Camp. Only he desired the Queen, that the Constable, the Duke of Gwyse, & the marshal of S. Andrewes, (which were commonly called the three rooters up of the common weal) should departed out of the Camp while that communication lasted. Which thing being done the garrison was withdrawn out of Boigencie and the town delivered to the Queen. by-and-by she manned it, and pretending a communication, to outward show of peace & reconcilement, not only retained the Prince, but also took the town and fortified it with all things needful for the war. With which treachery the Admiral being sore moved, determined not to fail in his duty towards the Prince, but went out of hand with his horsemen to the Camp of his adversaries, and struck such a terror into them, that the Queen commanded the Prince too be delivered immediately. And within a few days after, the Admiral leading his army too Boigencie won the town by force, & not without some loss of his own people, recovered it again.  
about the same time, the admirals eldest son named jasper being consumed with sickness, died at Orleans scarce nine years old, but of singular towardness, which caused the Admiral too take his death very sore to heart, In the mean while the Gwysians seeing themselves forsaken of many Frenchmen whom the case concerned, and perceiving that the most part favoured the Prince of Condey, minded too seek help of foreign Realms. And therefore sending money into Switzerland and into Germany, they hired footmen of the one, & horsemen of the other: which thing the Admiral did oftentimes avow to be a most sure proof of treason, and of their enemy like mind to the Crown of France. For whither the case (quoth he) be to be decided by the ancient manner of the Realm, there are public decrees in force made by act of parliament, the authority whereof is certainly known to have been highest, ever since the settling of the kingdom of France, or if the matter be to be committed to rightful indifferency of challenge, who seeth not that the greater part of France is on our side? and that to call in foreign forces to oppress our own countrymen, is not the nature of a frenchman, but the token of a barbarous and savage mind, and a proof of an enemylyke heart. Notwithstanding, jest the Admiral might disappoint the willingness of so many of his friends, & the expectation of so many cities, which had joined in friendship with him: forasmuch as he was advertised late afore of the singular good will of certain German Princes towards the churches of France, to the intent to match strangers against strangers: he desired his brother the Andelot to go to those Princes, and to sew to them for their help: (which thing he did) and within three months after, brought three thousand horsemen and six thousand footmen with him into France.  
While these things were adoing, word was brought to the Admiral, that certain battering pieces of ordinance, and a great quantity of gunpowlder, were going towards the Duke of Gwyse lying then at the siege of Burgis, too assault the City withal: and that the Master of that ordinance was one Thonne a Lorreiner, a man not ignorant of warlike affairs, who for the better safecondit of them, had six troops of horsemen and certain antsignes of footmen assigned unto him. Upon the intelligence hereof, the Admiral having gotten occasion of a noble exploit, hied him thitherward apace, accompanied with a few horsemen. His enemies did scarcely abide the first brunt, insomuch that the most part of them began to throw away their weapons, and too take them to their legs. The footmen unharnished their horses out of the carts, and leaving the Guns and the wagons laden with Gunpowlder, followed after their fellows that were fled afore them. Thonne was taken prisoner fight. The Admiral having gotten so great a pray, called his wits about him how he might carry it away, being utterly destitute of drawghthorses. Therefore he did as necessity counseled him, he overcharged the pieces with powder and put fire to them to break them, which when it took not place, he piled up the barrels of powder together with the Guns and all the carts and wagons into one place, and putting fire too the powder, made a terrible thundercracke in the air, and marred what he could with burning.  
Assoon as Mounsyre d'Andelot was returned out of Germany, and had brought that said three thousand horsemen and six thousand footmen with him: the Prince of Condey having gathered a meetly strong army of Frenchmen & Germans, marched towards Paris. The Gwysians likewise brought forth their power, (among whom were the Swissers in whom was their chief trust) & met with our men at an old town which is certainly known too have been the dwelling place of the Druids, & there joined battle the success whereof was indifferent on both sides. For on the Duke of Gwyse side the Constable was taken prisoner, and on the other side the Prince of Condey, who was the chef ringleader as is showed afore. Upon the receiving of this loss, whenas our battle began too go by the worse, and many of the footmen having cast away their weapons, partly lay slain upon the ground, and partly yielded themselves to their enemies: the Admiral gathering his horsemen together into the next wood, and encouraging them that they should not regard their lives more than their religion, their country, and their honour, renewed the battle, wherein one of the marshals of France called the marshal of S. Andrewes, a man of great authority in the Court, and Mounsyre Brosse the Duke of Gwyse Lieutenant, and a number of other Gentlemen were forthwith slain. The Constable who was General of the field, and of very great authority, being taken prisoner by a valiant gentleman called William Steward of Vesine, & being sought for by many soldiers that would have slain him, was notwithstanding saved by him, for that he was of kin to the Admiral, and for that the Prince of Condey was in peril, and so he was conveyed safe to Orleans.  
When things were thus grawen to a mischief, & all hope of peace was past, the Duke of Gwyse encamped himself near to Orleans, and assailed it very sore on the one side: during which time the Admiral leaving his brother the Andelot behind him to defend the City, took his journey into Normandy, and besieged the Castle of Caen, wherinto the Marquis of Elbewf one of the Duke of Guysis brother, had in those few days retired himself: who after the taking of the City, began too treat for composition, and delivered up the Castle with all the armure and furniture thereof into the admirals hand. There was at that time in the Duke of Gwysis Camp a young man called john Poltro of the house of Merey a man of good worship: who having embraced the religion, & been familiar many months with the Prince of Condeyes' side, did suddenly take a toy in his head at Lions, to kill the Duke of Gwyse, whom as the butcherly slaughterman of his country, and as the author of so great mizeries, he was wont oftentimes too pray against most bitterly, in all his familiar talk. Therefore having always this saying in his mouth, what skills it whither a man use manliness or wiliness against his enemy? he determined too go into his Camp as a revolter, and too hunt for opportunity too accomplish his device by hook or by crook. For were I bound to him (quoth he) either by way of servis, or by any kind of benefit, or by any oath, nothing in the world should make me too hazard my good name. But seeing that no bond tieth me too him, why should I not imitate the prowess of Scevola in his enterpryze of killing King Porsenna? When Poltro had continued a good while in this mind in the Duke's Camp, at length upon occasion offered, he shot him through the right shoulder with a pellet of lead, of which wound he died within few days after, and when he was once dead, peace did forthwith grow too effect without any stop, so as the Edict was renewed, and liberty of following the religion was permitted upon certain conditions, throughout all France. whereupon all men for the most part began too reason, that as Helen was to the Trojans, so the Duke of Gwyse was too the Frenchmen the cause of all the great miseries that befell them, forasmuch as the wars were so suddenly whist and extingwished by his death.  
Howbeit within a few months after, when the Admiral came too the Court by the Kings sending for him, there was a new encounter stirred up against him by a woman. For the Duchess of Gwyse falling down humbly at the King's feet, sewed with many tears for the revendgement of her husband's murder, whereof she avowed the Admiral too have been the author and practizer. The Admiral perceiving that, and smelling that that pageant was played by the motion of a higher force, too the end that he which could not be overcome by battle, might be entrapped by sum slightie conveyance: first showed too the King and his mother and too all the whole counsel, that Poltro the author of that murder being already apprehended, had been arraigned and executed for it, whither rightly or unrightly it was no time as then to debate, but howsoever the case stood, as great a crime as it was, it had been sufficiently, and more than sufficiently revenged, by the extreme punishment of the same Poltro, who was rend asunder alive with chariots at Paris. Moreover that they had such a condemned person of him, as not only acknowledged the deed, but also glorified and vaunted of it, assuring himself that that mind was put into him by God, so as he doubted not but that he had done acceptable obedience to God, and a singular and beneficial good turn to his country, in ridding such a tyrant out of the world, as was always raging, always mad, & always thirsty of christian blood. If Poltro had uttered any thing against him upon promise of pardon, or enticed by fair words, while he was in durance in the common jail, he aught to have been kept alive, like as he himself had required by many letters and messages, while Poltro was yet alive in the common prison, that assoon as the wars were ended, he might have been examined of him by lawful order of justice face to face, whereas now, seeing he is dead, neither his confession nor his deposition aught too be of any importance in a case of life and death, specially against a man of such state & calling as he was in that Realm. Furthermore albeit that he or any other of his army had never so much inveigled Poltro too that attempt: yet notwithstanding could it seem any heinous fault for an enemy to deal enemylike with his enemy? Had there been any truce at that time, or was the Admiral bound to him by any covenant or oath? To what purpose should Captains keep guards about them in their Camps, (but too look too the safety of their persons?) To be short, though none of these things were: yet since that time peace had been reconciled, not only between the soldiers of both parts, but also much more between the captains and officers of the bands, too the benefit of the common weal, too the which public benefit and civil concord, this new kind of quarrelling was a hindrance. And if they would needs have that murder sifted out too the bottom: he also would request the King, that he on his side might have leave too prefer iudytements against them likewise. For it might be easily proved, that the Duke of Gwyse had executed unlawful cruelty against the king's subjects, & broken all the holy decrees of the realm confirmed by the king's Edict, and also committed high treason by making war of his own private authority, and by usurping the whole state of the realm: and finally had confounded all laws of God and man, & been the firebrond of all the great broils wherewith France had burned about 13. moons.  
Upon the hearing of this oration of the Admiralles, howbeit that the same process was renewed divers times by the Gwisians afterward, at length the king summoned the princes and noblemen of his realm, together with his grave counsellors and men of chiefest authority, too meet at the City of Molins. The Cardinal of Lorreine taking to him his brother's widow, willed her too speak for that part: and therewithal gave the Admiral leave too answer what he could in his defence. When the matter had been debated on both sides, the king by the advice of his counsellors, demanded of them whither there were any of that assembly, whom they thought partial and meet too be removed. They answered that they liked well of all. Then he demanded again, whither their desire was that he should do them justice in that case, & whither they would promise too stand too his judgement or no. When both parties had answered that they would very willingly stand too the king's determination: within a few days after, the .29. day of januarie 1566, sentence was given word for word in form following. The King having herd both the parties, and considered the matter with his Counsel, and perceiving that the verdites and opinions of his Peers and Counsellors consented and agreed all in one without any variableness: giveth definitive sentence that the Admiral Shattilion seemeth clear and guiltless of the murdering of the Duke of Gwyse, and thereof doth utterly acquit him. And therewithal commandeth his Attorney general, & all others too whom such matters belong, never to speak more of it. Furthermore he forbiddeth them that had been the adversary parties in that case, & all other his subjects, too be so bold as too have any speech thereof, & likewise all judges & ministers of justice, too suffer that matter to be called any more in question before them: giving all men too understand, that he hath taken both the parties into his custody & protection: and therefore giveth the parties straight charge, that they should thenceforth live quietly & friendly under his obeisance, & not practice any thing one against another. If any of the kinsfolk, countrifolk, acquaintance, or friends of the adversary parties do against this Decree: he shall be taken for guilty of high treason as a traitor too the king's person, in violating the public peace & tranquillity. And therefore it is his pleasure that this sentence be proclaimed & enrolled in all his Courts of justice.  
But now must we return again to the doings of the former year. Within a few moons after, there happened a thing which (too my seeming) is not too be let pass, because it may be a record of a most gentle and meeld disposition. There was a certain gentleman called Hamberuillier borne of a worshipful house, whom the Admiral had entertained many years in household very familiarly, and had used his servis in his affairs of most credit and estimation. A letter of this man's was intercepted in the Court, wherein he wrote too certain whom it is not requisite too name at this present, that he would within few days dispatch the matter that was enjoined him, and give the Admiral a drink too cast him into a dead sleep. When this letter was brought too the Admiralles hand, he sent for the party, and willed him too write certain verses with his own hand in a paper that was ready there: and when he had compared them both together, he asked him whither he acknowledged the letter too be his hand or no. Which when he had acknowledged, being convicted of the wicked deed by his own conscience, he kneeled down by-and-by, and besowght his master of mercy. The Admiral answered that he forgave him, howbeit upon condition that he should void his house out of hand, and never come in his sight more.  
Hereafter we must retire back too the practises of the Court the last year. For within a few moons after the Proclaiming of the peace, the Queen Mother determined too make a progress too Baion, to see her son in Law the King of Spain, and too carry her sons thither with her for a certain purpose, which being known too few at that time, did afterward burst out in tragical events. First therefore she took her journey to Lions, which unto that time was in the power of the protestants, by reason of the multitude of Citizens and Country folks that favoured the Religion therabowts. As soon as she came thither, she gathered together the Italian Carpenters & Masons everywhere, and commanded a hold (which the Italians do commonly call a Citadel) too be bwilded in all haste upon the next hill, too overlook the town. A little before, the plague began too grow hot, & had now cawght hold of the Courtiers: and yet the Queen could not be persuaded too remove her children from thence, until she had seen the fowndation of the Hold laid. When she saw that the plague was crept even into the Court, she made one Mounsyre Lossie governor of Lions, a cruel and barbarous man, and a most deadly enemy of Religion, appointing him a garrison of certain proud and ruffianly soldiers, too vex the Citizens (which were given too religion) with continual wrongs and despites. Afterwards, which way so ever the king made his progress with that great train, into whatsoever City, town, village, or Manor he was brought: wonderful it is too report, but yet most certainly known and talked of in all men's mouths, so great a plague followed the king's train continually, that for the space of three moons together, he never lodged in any house, but the present peril of the plague drove him out of it again.  
While these things were a doing, & the Queen mother communicated her devices with her daughter the Queen of Spain, and with the king her husbands Ambassadors: the Marshal Memorancy (whom the king had left governor of Paris) was certified that the Gwisians wrowght secret practises, too stir up the commons of Paris against such as professed the true and uncorrupted religion: and that the Cardinal of Lorrein would be there within a day or twain with a great train of armed men. It had been forbidden divers times afore by the king's Proclamations, that no man should journey with hargabusse or pistolet, or have any about him. When it was told the Marshal that the Cardinal and his company were come into the City, armed with such weapons: by and by he went and met him with his garrison, and commanded them too lay away their weapons. Which doing of his, the Cardinal and his brother's son the young Duke of Gwyse taking in great despite and reproach, were herd oftentimes afterward too say, that that deed should cost Memorancy his life. When this uproar was stirred up in the City, where the Cardinal might have razed threescore thousand armed men in one day too have slain Memorancy: Memorancy thought it good too call his friends about him, and specially the Admiral, who being accompanied with three hundred horsemen or therabowts, came too Paris the .22. day of januarie: which thing did so scare the feeble hearted people given wonderfully too superstition, and chiefly the Priests, Monks, & the Canons of the Cathedral Church, that a great sort of them began too devise how too flee away, The next day Memorancy sent for the provosts of the Parliament, and for such as bore chief authority at that time in the City, home too his house. Too whom in the presence of the Admiral, he spoke of the Cardinal of Lorreines overbold and seditiows enterpryzes, and of the flocking together of certain Citizens, telling them that forasmuch as they had given it out everywhere, that the Admiral levied men of war, and practised means too sack that rich City, while the king was far of in his progress: he thought it best too call him out before them, that he might tell them plainly what he minded too do. Then, I know well-enough already (quoth the Admiral) what things are spread abroad of me by lewd and maliciowse persons, as who should say, I sought means too sack this City, which is known too be the chief fortress of the Realm, and the Noblest light of all France. These kind of dealings are meet for such, as challenge I wot not what kind of right too the succession of the Crown, and bear the world in hand that certain Dukedommes and Erldommes ought too be restored unto them. As for me, I put you out of doubt, I claim not any manner of right too the Kingdom, nor too any part thereof. And if I did, I believe there was never any Nobleman of France this five hundred years, that had so good opportunity offered him too trubble the state. Ye remember how great occasion of setting the matter abroach, I had at such time as the Duke of Gwyse was slain, and the Constable my prisoner at Orleans, if I had been minded too rebel. But I never sewed more earnestly too the Queen Mother, and too the King's Counsel for peace, than when I was in my chiefest prosperity. Who knoweth not that I sought peace with most earnest entreatance and sewte, at such time as a number of noble Cities had already put themselves under my protection, and many more both of Normandy and little Britain, offered me their friendship and society unrequested? Who knoweth not that whereas upon the conclusion of the peace, I might have served mine own turn by ambitiowse craving of rooms of authority and honour at the King's hand, yet I chose rather too get me home, and there too lead a private life modestly and quietly unto this day? But too let these things pass, and too go forward with the things that we have in hand, being called by the Marshal Memorancy, I made haste too come unto you: not of purpose too make any innovation or trouble in any thing: but rather too quench such broils, as were like too be stirred up a late through somme men's overboldness. I think there is none of you all but he knoweth, how great credit the professers of the purer Religion do give me.  
Surely a number of them being moved with these strange rumours, and put in fear through the factiows devices and enterpryzes of the Gwisians' resort unto me daily, bringing letters intercepted, concerning the flocking together of certain undercapteines, which command their old soldiers too be ready with their armour, that they may step forth out of hand whensoever need shall require. What needeth many words? Certain letters were intercepted written into Normandy, and fathered upon the authority of the Queen mother, a Copy whereof I bring you here out of mine own coffers, and will rehearse one point thereof which is this.  
There is no fit way too restore the Crown of France too such as have right too it by ancient inheritance, and too destroy the house & offspring of Valois, than by kill all the Hugonotes which are the upholders thereof. Therefore we must confiscate their goods, that the monny which is made of them may yield us armour and treazure. And if the Hugonotes go too la for it: the matter shallbe so handled in judgement, as they shall have small list too make any sewt for damages.  
Besides this, what shall I speak of the slawghters and robberies that are committed almost day by day? It is sufficiently known, that since the proclaiming of the peace, above .500. protestants have been slain in sundry places, and yet the magistrates have not punished the murder of any one of them. They that complain of it too the king or the Queen mother, receive nothing but words, or sum empty sheet of paper, or else sum skin of parchment. Who knoweth not that a great slaughter was made o'late of the protestants, openly in the city of Turon, yea even with standard and antsignes displayed, even in the presence of him whom the Duke Mompaunser had sent thither to make peace? And yet for all this, it is said that divers of your clergimen are stricken with so great fear of this my coming into the city, that they consult how to forsake it, yet notwithstanding, there is no place in all France, no town so strong, no hold, no village, where Priests devil more safe and sure, or where they exercyze their ceremonies and massings more freely, then in mine own manor of Shatilion. Upon the making of this oration the company was dismissed.  
The next day came about a thirty of the chief merchantmen of Paris to Memorancy, and after them the Bishop of Paris with the chancellor of the university and a great rabble of Clergimen: to whom the Admiral speaking very courteously, bade them be all of good cheer, Also within a few days after, being brought into the Parlamenthowse, he confirmed with many words, that he wished nothing more than the concord and quietness of the Citizens, nor undertook that journey upon any other purpose, then that, requiring them likewize, that the City might be ordered peaceably and quietly. When things were thus set at a stay, the Admiral at his return home was certified by his friends, that one May a man of base calling which had a farm not farer from the castle of Shatilion, & played the thief under pretence of Inkeping, was hired by the Duke of Awmall the Duke of Gwyse brother, to lay wait for him, if he happened to go abroad any whither a hunting, & that he had paid him a hundred crowns aforehand in that respect, & also given him a very goodly great horse. To the furtherance hereof came this also, that the Admiral being often told of his thievery, had threatened him to commit him upon felony, if he herd of those things any more, & having gotten sufficient witnesses had lately before indicted him of divers robberies in the parliament of Paris. When May's treachery was known & bewrayed to the Admiral: there was a bait laid for him, and being apprehended within few days after, & brought forth to his arraignment at Paris, he began to appeach the Admiral & divers others, as though they had dealt with him to have killed the Queen mother, and had promised him a great reward for so doing. Notwithstanding the Senators of the parliament of Paris finding out the slander, and cawsing the indictment of felony too be followed against him, condemned him too death, according to which sentence he was executed upon the wheel in the chief street of all Paris.  
Ere long after, the Prince of Condey had a son borne, to whom the King intended to be Godfather, & to give him his name, after the accustomed manner. But forasmuchas he could not well do it because of his religion, it pleazed him to give the honour thereof to the Admiral, willing him to cause the infant to be baptised & christened in his name: which thing was done with exceeding great pomp & royal preparation, as is wont to be in Prince's Courts. For at the feast, a table was laid for the Admiral as if it had been for the King himself, whereat he sat alone as the King is wont to do, & was served as a King, which dealing all men construed to be a sure token of the King's singular good will towards him.  
Anon after, tidings was brought that Ferdinando Duke of Alva was coming with an host into neither Dutchland by the Spanish King's commission & commandment, to suppress the uproars that were raised there for religions sake. Now forasmuchas he was to convey his army by the borders of France, the Admiral sitting with the King's counsel, desired that regard might be had of Burgundy, and that a garrison might be sent thither for defence of the country, rather of Swissers than of Frenchmen, jest perhaps sum broil might be made for religions sake. And it was commonly thought at that time, that the said army of Swissers, which consisted of six thousand men, were for none other purpose than to withstand the Duke of Aluaze force, if he should attempt any thing in the marches of Burgundy. But anon after, the Prince of Rochsurion a Prince of the King's blood, wrote to the Admiral, desiring him to sand him privily sum friend of his whom he might best trust, and he would bewray such things unto him as did very greatly concern his welfare, & were not to be uttered to all men's hearing. And so within a few days after, the Prince of Rochsurion being friend to the Prince of Condey by reason of his alliance too the King's house, bewrayed unto him secretly, how consultation was had at Baion, to extingwish the religion commonly called the reformed religion, & to oppress such as were the professers thereof: and that the hiring of the Swissers under colour of fortifying the fruntiers of France against the Duke of Aluaze power, was for the same purpose.  
The same time the Admiral was advertised both by letters and by word of mouth at many men's hands, that the army of the Swissers was conveyed into the borders of France, and into the innermore part of Burgundy. Upon knowledge whereof, first the Prince of Condey, & afterward the Admiral himself went to the Court, and told the King, the Queen mother, and the Counsel, that they saw no sufficient cause to bring these armies of Swissers into the Realm, except it were perchance to oppress them & a number of other honourable houses, which professed the religion: nevertheless that the number of such as had professed themselves to be of the religion, was greater than it was commonly taken too be: whereof they had trial in the last wars, & therefore that if they perceived their enemies to attempt any innovation of things, they would be even with them, and not suffer themselves to be murdered at those cutthrots hands: wherefore they prayed and besowght the Kings majesty, to be moved with compassion, either towards so many houses of honour and worship, or at leastwise towards his afflicted country, and the forlorn people of France.  
Being shaken of in the Court, & unhonorably dealt with, and moreover understanding themselves to be in great danger of their lives, they took counsel, not to fail themselves & so many christian churches, specially at the request of the most part of the nobility & gentlemen, and at the earnest entreatance of an innumerable sort of their good countrymen, which complained that they were no longer able to abide the wrongs, wherewith they were continually vexed at the Magistrates hands. When they had determined upon that point, forasmuchas they perceived that the King's name would bear a singular sway among the cities, and that therefore the Duke of Gwyse had in the former wars endeavoured to have the King in his own tuition: they communicated their intent to very few, and took their journey privily to the court, to see if they could by any means convey the King away from the custody of the Queen mother and of the Gwyses, that they might provide for the common peace and concord, by removing ungracious counsel from him. But being bewrayed of one of their confederacy, they lost the opportunity of bringing that matter to pass: by reason whereof they were driven to try the matter by open war. When they came at Paris, they mustered their adherents, & found that there were on their side somewhat less than a thousand horsemen, & about a threehundred footmen. For the Andelot had carried away the most part of his army with him too Poysye the day before, to cut of victuals from the Parisians by taking the bridge over the river of Sean, There went out of Paris fifteen thousand footmen, and more than six thousand horsemen, under the Constable, who joining battle with them was sore wownded, and died within few days after. In that battle a man might have seen the singular working of God in preserving the Admiral. For whereas he road upon an overfeerce horse, that would not in any wise well-near be ruled, his muzrol broke asunder, & his horse carried him twice through the battle of his enemies where they were thickest, and yet he was not hurt at all, notwithstanding that the pistolets discharged their shot at him on all sides, with one of the pellets whereof his horse being hit, suffered him to bring him back again easily into his own battle.  
After the receiving of great loss on both sides, but specially on the prince of Condeis side, the King's army was discomfited and driven into the City of Paris, and it seemed best to the prince and the Admiral to take their way into Lorrein, too the horsemen that were sent them thither by the appointment of certain Princes of Germany. For they saw it was needful again to impugn foreigners with foreigners. In that journey, being overtaken by their adversaries with a great power, whereof the General was Henry the King's brother, than Duke of Anjou, afterward King of Polland, & now King of France, who pressed continually upon their rearward, they oftentimes received many harms. When they came into Lorrein, whither Casimire the Palsgrave electors son was come before them with a great host of Almains, there rose a new occasion of trouble and incomberance. For there was owing to those Almains a certain times wages, and there could no means be found to pay any piece of it, were it never so little. Out of hand the Admiral found a remedy for that mischief. He required that all men as well the Rascals & Lackeys of the host, as the horsemen and the common soldiers should be taxed by the poll, so far forth as every man's ability would bear. First of all the Admiral himself caused five hundred french crowns to be told out of his own coffers. The like was done of all the rest according to every man's ability, and Collectors were sent to every band to gather it up. And moreover look whatsoever silver the Prince of Condey, the Admiral, & the Counties of Andelot & Rochfocawlt had of their own, it was delivered everiwhit of it to the Collectors. Thus in very small time there was gathered with the singular good will of all men, the sum of fourscore thousand pounds, & it was judged that by that counsel of the Admirals, the whole army was saved, which not only was persecuted by the adversaries, but also threatened by the Germans their leagefellowes and succorers. When the powers of the Germans & Frenchmen were once joined together, the adversaries returning suddenly back, went in great journeys unto Paris, which thing Henry the kings brother deemed to redound to his great dishonour.  
The Prince of Condeies' men being now well cheered and full of good hope, went to besiege Sharters, which when they had beaten a good while with great ordinance, & cast down a piece of the wall, insomuch that the Andelot was now ready to have led them to the assault: suddenly the King's Trumpeters came in post, and sending a Herald, declared that peace was concluded. For commissioners had met on both sides near Paris for the same purpose certain days afore. Thus was the siege broken up, & the Prince of Condey dismissed his power. While the Admiral was kept occupied at that siege, his wife (of whom mention is made afore) who in the beginning of the wars had gotten herself with her children to Orleans, being consumed with sore sickness, and unable to bear out the brunt of it, departed out of this life. The Admiral being advertised of that grievousness of her disease, had left the Camp, and was gone to her in post, and taking the best physicians to him that he could get, performed the duty of a loving and faithful husband towards her. But when he saw that the force of her disease overcame the cunning of the physicians: he commended her departing soul unto God, & withdrew himself into a parlour, whither a great sort of his friends & acquaintance came to him to comfort him, of whom many remembered that he uttered these words with great sobbing & tears. Wherein have I sinned, my God, or whereby have I deserved that thou shouldest chastise me so sharply, and overload me with so many miseries at once? Would God I could lead a holier life, and give better example of godliness. O holy father, let thy mercifulness look upon me, and assuage these my sorrows. Afterwards being cheered by the godly talk of his friends, he commanded his children too be brought unto him, & told them that this so great loss of their mother ought too be a lesson to them, that there remained no help for them under the son, whereunto they might trust or lean: affirming that houses and Castles, were they never so strong and stately, are not given us for dwelling places, but lent us for baiting places, nor tied to us for ever by purchase and freedeede, but granted to us for a time upon courtesy: and finally, that all things in this world are flightful and transitory, saving only God's mercy, whereunto he would have them too commit themselves wholly, casting away all worldly helps, and then should they not need too doubt, but they should have most sure defence in the same. The next day he called Grelley his children's schoolmaster, and told him that he must needs return too the Camp, and he could not tell what should become of him there. Wherefore he warned and desired him, too have a care of his children, and too bring them up in religion, godliness, and all good arts, as he had oftentimes charged him.  
As concerning his Lady or late wife, she had always a singular and earnest zeal too religion as is showed afore, and was endued with singular constancy in bearing out all calamities, as well her own as her husbands, so that it is truly avouched of many men, that look what promise she made too her husband for the professing of Religion, (as I have showed afore,) she performed the same most holily too the full. There were divers virtues and gifts of nature commendable in her, and specially her singular lovingness and liberality towards the poor, and towards sick folks. Therefore inasmuch as she continewally visited the soldiers that were brought either sick or wownded too Orleans: the Physicians were plainly of opinion, that her disease was cawght and bred chiefly of those ill sentes and stinking savours.  
After that the Peace was proclaimed by the sound of Trumpets in many places (as is said afore): the Admiral had scarcely tarried three days at home, but he was certified from all parts of the Realm, both by letters and by messengers from his friends, that the said Peace was not a Peace in deed, but a practice too renew most horrible war. For they perceived so great preparation for wars in all places, that if he looked not too it betimes, both the Prince of Condey, and himself, and all they that had been Captains in the late wars, should be entrapped and abandoned too the cruelty of their enemies. The tokens whereof were these, the bringing in of garrisons into Orleans, Auxerre, Bloys, and the other yielded Cities: the keeping of all bridges, passages, and fords: the retaining still of the men of arms in the heart of France: and the keeping still of two Legions near about Paris, under pretence of guarding the King's person. Upon the knowledge of these things, he thought it moste for his safety too withdraw himself into the town of Tanlay too his brother the Andelotte, and anon after to Noyers a town of meetly good strength in the Prince of Condeyes' territory, whither he had withdrawn himself a little afore with his wife and children and his whole household for the same cause. In that journey there happened a thing, which because of the strangeness thereof, is not to be overslipped. Not far from the town of Molins as ye go too Auxerre, there is a Lake: wheruntoo when the Admiral was come, a certain old man of his company named Gripper, a man skilful by reason of many long voyages by sea, and singularly faithful and loving towards the Admiral, espied a black cloud driven with the wind beating very vehemently against that part of the Lake: whereupon he began too warn the Admiral in the hearing of a great number, too put spurs too his horse, and too high him apace too the next village, lest they might be over taken with the tempest at hand. As soon as he had said so, thinking that the rest had believed him and followed after him, he hied him on afore. He was scarcely out of sight, but suddenly there arose such a storm as the Admiral was passing the narrow banks of the Lake, that many, not only men but also horses, were thrown down with the whirlwind, and divers hurt with the violence and weight of the Hail, and had much ado to scape with their lives. The wind blew the Admiralles hat from his head, which could never be found again when the tempest was ceased. But one of his company delivered him another: neither was he (for all that) hurt in any part of him saving in his ankle, where the vehement driving of the hail gave him a good pretty pelt. Surely if the violence of the wind had lain against the head of the lake, no doubt but that day had been the last of the Admiralles life and of all his companies. When the tempest was allayed, the Admiral having comforted his company, said: I thank thee O almighty God, whose present miracle I deem too foretoken, that we shall shortly be pressed, howbeit not oppressed with many sorrows.  
As soon as they were come too Noyers, they sent often messengers with letters too the King, informing him that they were daily advertised of trains that were laid for their lives: wherefore they humbly besowght his Majesty, too have respect of his Country already tired with two civil wars, and find means that the fire which was kindled by the Gwisians, might be quenched, not with the destruction, but rather with the safety of his Realm, and with his own wisdomme. And therewithal the Admiral directed letters too Margaret the daughter of the great King Francis, and wife too the Duke of Savoy, (whom he thought too be of credit and authority too weigh much with the Queen mother), beseeching her with all manner of entreatance, too deal so by her authority, as she might turn away the tempest that was like by some fatal mischance too fall upon her afflicted and forlorn country.  
When he saw no room left for peaceable remedies, and understood that Tavanne (who anon after was made Marshal of France,) was bringing of his power privily too Noyers, of purpose too incloze him and his: he counseled the Prince of Condey too get them thence, and too high them too Rochel as fast as they cold: which town by reason of certain ancient customs and privileges, had never received any garrison of soldiers unto that day. In their way they must needs pass the River of Loire, and in their company there was the Princess of Condey with six young children, whereof one was not passed a year old. After them, the next day followed the young children of the Admiral and of the Andelotte, whom their keepers coweyed away in the dead of the night by the Admiralles commandment, and passing the river of Loire, brought them too their company in the borders of Berrey. And there happened a wonderful thing, whereof innumerable witnesses and beholders remain yet alive. Whereas the Prince of Condey thought too have taken two or three boats soodeinly on the hitherside of the water, and so too have ferried over secretly: as soon as he came at the rivers side where it runneth by the foot of the hill of Sanxerre, there he found a ford, at the which about a fifty horsemen that waited upon him went over, when in the mean while the Lady his wife with her children & her whole Nurcerye were conveyed over in boats. They were no sooner all wasted over, but the river did so rise in three hours space, (notwithstanding that the day was most fair and clear): that the people of Sanxerre and all the dwellers therabowts, acknowledged it too be the wonderful providence of God, praying him to bliss those young children and babes krying in their Cradles.  
The King having knowledge of these things, gave commandment by the counsel of his Courtiers, that all his men of arms, specially which were in the borders of Santonge and Poitiers, should out of hand go too Rochel: and he sent his brother Henry (of whom we have made mention afore,) too lead thither as great a power as he might. In the mean season, the Protestants which had returned home every man to his own City & country, upon the making of the peace, and upon trust of the king's assurance: were every where oppressed & murdered by the multitude. While these things were a doing, joane Queen of Navarre, who had held herself at home in the former wars, abhorring now the lawless and often renewed treachery: razed such power as she could with all speed, and went too Rochel, carrying her son Henry with her, (to whom the inheritance of the kingdom of Navarre descended after her death), and one daughter. When the foresaid matters were set at a stay as is said already, the Admiral took certain pieces of ordinance out of Rochel, and went to besiege the town of Niort, & within few days after took it by composition. From thence he led his army too Angolesme. This town standeth upon a high hill, cut steep on all sides saving one, into the which Town the adversaries had conveyed a great Garrison a few days since. The Admiral caused his battery too be laid too that side of the Town where it might be cumne unto, and when he had assailed it certain days, it was yielded unto him by the townsmen.  
Anon after there was a battle fowght at jaseneul between the vawardes of both the parties. The captain of our vaward was the Admiral, who broke in upon his enemies with such violence, that they being unable too abide the brunt, sought too save themselves by flight, and drew towards Lusignian, leaving all their carriages behind them. The pray that was taken, was esteemed almost at fifty thousand Crowns. The next day a letter of one of the Clerks of the Counsel named Fizie, written too the Queen Mother, was intercepted: wherein he bewailed that loss, adding also that since man was first made, never any son of France, (it is a vulgar phrase among the Frenchmen) was in so great hazard of his life as he had been. Not long after, the Admiral going too jarnacke a Town near by, was driven too fight whither he would or no: and he was even at the very point too come into his enemies hands. For his adversaries spies understanding, that he pourpozed too pass the River that runneth by the Town, which is not very broad, upon a bridge of Boats: ambushed themselves secretly on the other side of the River, and assoon as they perceived the Admiral too be there, by and by the Hargabuts began too discharge at him, and other some endeavoured too get over the bridge by force. As God would there was one Hargabutter that stopped their brunt with his often shooting of of his piece, but yet was he stricken through with a number of shot, and fell down dead. about twelve other being stirred up with his noise, succeeded in his room. The Admiral himself stepping too the bank, with his naked sword, (for he had no leisure too put on his corselet) did cut asunder the ropes wherewith the boats were fastened, during the which time, his adversaries which held the further side of the River, never left shooting at him, which thing caused him too have a guard about him from that day forth for the defence of his person against such sudden chances.  
A two days after, when the adversaries had passed over the river of Sharent, the Prince of Condey for fear of being enclosed by them, although he had lately hired three thousand swart Rutters, and had more over six thousand Swissers, whom he had entertained from the beginning of the wars: yet notwithstanding being a man of a noble and stout stomach in battle, he determined too stop them of their passage, howbeit not too fight in pitched battle. In the mean while word came too the Admiral that his men which had taken the Town next their enemies the day before, were beset & brought too utter peril, but yet stood manfully still too their defence. The Admiral minding not to abandon them, gathered certain horsemen quickly together, & marched to them apace. Whom when the enemies knew, they suddenly cast themselves in a ring, and beset him round about with great force. Whereof the Prince of Condey being certified, and being much readier in courage then fortified with strength, broke into the middleward of his enemies, and there being oppressed with multitude, had his horse stricken through, so that he was overthrown & slain. The Admiral being sore grieved with the great loss, and distrusting what might ensue to the whole, retired with his brother the Andelot into the town of S. john d'Angeli, And whereas the foil that he had received in the body of the Prince of Condey, he could have revenged upon the bodies of divers his enemies that were of greatest power and nobility, and have requited their dishonourable dealing with like for like: yet determined he to hold himself within the bounds of nature and manhood, and to give the dead their dews: and in that mind did he continued as long as the war lasted. As I told you before, joane Queen of Navarre was the same time at Rochel: who hearing of the great loss that was received, went with all haste into the Camp, where having comforted the chief of the whole host, and encouraged the soldiers too be mindful of their ancient prowess, she told them that she gave and delivered unto them her only son Henry (to whom the kingdom of Navarre should descend after her decease) to be their General: protesting openly, that the life of her only son was not dearer unto her, than the welfare of the whole army. Henry Prince of Condey the son of the foresaid Lewis late deceased, was joined with him in society of the honourable charge. Nevertheless, the Lords and all the Captains and under captains betook the charge of the wars, and the ordering of all martial affairs to the Admiral with one consent, as to him that was known to be of greatest credit and authority among the protestants. For besides his singular skill in martial affairs, and besides his justice & his staidness, it was well known to all men, that he was the first of all the nobility of the Realm, which embraced the true religion and professed it openly, which reformed the order of his house according to the order of religion: which durst break with King Francis the second (who was held entangled with the alliance of the house of Gwyse) concerning the demands of the Churches, & put up supplications in their names to the King's counsel: which gave example of godliness to the french nobility, whom all men knew to have been most horribly infected with evil manners, by reason of that wicked custom of the King's court. And it is further known, that after he had once embraced the religion, he never gave any cause of offence to the reformed Churches: and that whereas men resorted unto him on all sides, in the name of those Churches, he always gave them the wyzest counsel: and took weapon in hand, not to rebel against the King (as sum reported of him) but at the request and entreatance of the Queen mother, which thing nevertheless he did not upon his own head, or to satisfy the Queen's mind, but (because the King was not yet full twelve years old,) he ground himself upon the authority of the general counsel holden at Orleans (as is said afore) and also upon the King's edict that was wrotten and proclaimed at Paris within certain days after by the full consent of all men: whereas on the contrary part it was by the Gwyses procurement and counsel, that so many honourable and worshipful houses were turned out of all their goods and possessions: that so many flourishing and noble Cities were sacked: that so many Princes, noblemen, Captains and Masters of chivalry were slain, to the exceeding great prejudice of the whole Realm: and (which is the chief of all other) that so many flourishing congregations were oppressed well-near in all the towns of France & finally the Realm brought to that point, that it lay open to any foreign Prince as a booty to pray upon.  
These things were no sooner finished, but the Admiral had a sore mischance by the death of his brother the Andelot, who died of a sudden disease in the town of Santon, not without suspicion of poisoning: which was so much the more likely, because Birague the Uicechauncelour (who anon after was made chancellor) a man of Piemount, was herd to say oftentimes in the Court, that all these wars were too be dispatched, not by armed men, nor with so great ado, and with so great losses, but by cooks & scullions with small ado. And forasmuch as the Admiral wrote a letter with his own hand a few days afore to his own sons & to the andelot's sons which were brought up all under one Tutor, to comfort them, which letter of his written with his own hand I have now presently in my keeping: I thought it not amiss to translate it in manner word for word, and too set it down here, in this place.  
Although I doubt not (quoth he) but the death of my brother Andelot was a great grief unto you, yet notwithstanding I thought it good to put you in mind of your happiness in that you be the Sons or nephews of so noble a gentleman, whom I dare avow to have been, both a faithful servant of God, and worthy of singular commendation and renown for his excellency in martial affairs. The remembrance and example of which virtues ought too stand always before your eyes, that you may imitate them to the uttermost of your power. And I think verily, that I may well affirm this of him, that in all France there was not any that went beyond him in matters of war, nother do I doubt but that foreign nations will yield him like record, specially such as have had experience of his prowess heretofore. He purchased not this so great estimation by sloth and idleness, but by enduring of great pains for his country's sake. Surely I never knew man either juster towards the world, or more zealous of righteousness to godward. nother am I ignorant that it were not comely for me too report these things of him among strangers. But I am the bolder to speak them unto you, to the intent to encourage and sharpen you too the imitating of so great virtues: for I myself also do set this example before me to follow the same, praying & beseeching our God and Lord, to grant me to departed as godlily and blessedly out of this life, as I saw him do. And because I found myself to have a great want of him: to the intent I may bear this grief of mine the more patiently, I crave of you that I may see his virtues revive & shine forth in you. For your better attainment whereof, give yourselves with your whole heart to godliness & religion, and while you be in these years, spend your time in the study of such learning as may lead you into the way of virtue. And although I can well abide that you should be from your books at such hours as your master gives you leave too play: yet look to it that in your playing you nother do nor say aught that may offend God. Specially reverence your Schoolmaster, and obey him no less than myself. For I am sure that he will not give you any precept or counsel, which shall not be both for your honour & profit. As concerning all other things if ye love me, or rather if ye love yourselves, so deal as I may always hear glad tidings of you: & look as ye grow in years and body, so grow ye also in godliness and virtue. God bless you all, and be your defence, and uphold you evermore with his holy spirit. From Sauton the xviii. of May .1569. Shatilion.  
Nother was the Admiral's stout courage in bearing out the greatness of that grief, unknown too strangers. For although he had foregone such a brother as he knew to be peerless in godliness, justice, valiantness, renown of noble deeds, and commendation of chivalry, insomuch that for his own part he termed him his right arm: yet did he oftentimes protest among his friends, that he himself rested upon the providence of God. For he both understood and also was wont to say oftentimes, that nother the Church of God was gwided by man's policy, nor the christian army ordered by the prowess of the Captains. And in talking of his brother's death among his friends, he was wont to cry out. O happy Andelot, which ended the course of his lise so godlily & luckily.  
About the same time word was brought of the coming of Woolfgang Duke of Bipount into France with a mighty army of Germans, whom he brought to our rescue: & how he had already passed the Loire with his power, and had won the town of Sharity, because there was a bridge over the river in that town, into Berrey. When the Germans were come to the town of Shalluce in the borders of Limosin: the Admiral determined to join with them, the which self same day the Duke of Bipount being oppressed with a sore sickness, departed out of this life, and the chief charge was by consent of all the Germans committed to Woolrade Earl of Mansfeld, who had been his lieutenant. The adversaries were greatly abashed at this joining of them together, & there was no place in all France where this opinion was not spread, that if the Germans and Frenchmen might match together, the King's power was like to go to wreck, and the Courtiers should be glad and fain to stoop to their adversaries. Also such as showed themselves desirous of peace and of public quietness, did openly both in the Camp and in the City curse the authors of falsehood: saying that it was never yet seen, but that the end of perjury was always mischievous. This was certainly thought of all men, that if the Admiral joining his own power with the power of the Germans, had led them rightforth into the heart of France towards Paris, many cities would have yielded unto him, and have committed themselves to his tuition. This opinion was very greatly confirmed within few days after. For at such time as Henry Duke of Anjou being encamped near unto him, had given him battle, he was easily driven back, and compelled to retire with the loss of a great number of his footmen, & with the taking of Mounsyre Strossie the Queen mother's sister's son, who had the charge of them.  
The Admiral hoping that upon the matching of so great forces together, the King considering the state of things would incline his mind to sum indifferency: sent books of supplication unto him (for the Duke of Anjou would give him no leave to sand any messenger) wherein he prayed and besought him in the name of the whole army, that he would not harden his heart any longer, but have compassion of his afflicted and miserable subjects, and consider with how great hindrance to the Realm, the twenty thousand foreigners or thereabowts, which were come to the succour of both parts, should range up & down through the realm of France, if the war were prolonged any long time. For the matter was now proceeded so far forth, as the civil wars were not likely to come to end by reconcilement of men's minds or through the love and compassion of their country, but by the wasting of the Realm: & therefore it was expedient for him too spare his subjects that had endured so many discommodities & so long continuing already, & not too trust overmuch too the Cardinals and Italians, which bore to much sway in his court: for strangers would never rue the miseries of frenchmen as frenchmen would. The time was now most convenient too treat of peace, while either part stood upon the trust of their own strength. And the condition of peace was very eazie, inasmuchas the whole number that were in arms with him, desired nothing but free liberty to exercise their religion, which had been granted them so often, both by authority of public counsel, and also by the King's Edicts. Extreme was the madness of the Italians and of a few others that were nearest about the King, to warrant him that two hundred thousand men of the reformed religion, might be dispatched and rid out of the way with so small a do as they made of it: whereof the success of the former times might be a sufficient proof. When the Duke of Anjou had taken the foresaid foil, then by the advice of his friends, he dismissed a great part of his army, and specially of his horsemen, for the space of a month or two, commanding them to return home to refresh themselves. And then Woolrade Earl of Mansfeeld late leevetennant to Woolfgang, was set up in his place with the full consent of all men.  
When things were thus set at a stay, the Admiral called a counsel, wherein all men thought it good, that forasmuch as all the Cities and Countries from the Haven of Rochel, and on all the Sea-coast, were in possession of the Protestants, those quarters should be fortified, and the winning of the Town of Poitiers be attempted, that it might be as bulwark too defend and maintain that whole Country. This device seemed too be greatly furthered by the yielding up of the Castle of Lusignian, which is the strongest hold in all France, and yet notwithstanding was yielded up within a few days besieging, and so was news brought about the same time that the town of Chastelleraut had done the like. Anon after that the siege was planted before Poitiers, and all things put in readiness for the assaulting of the town: the Admiral being overtyred with watching and travel, was taken with the bloody Flix, wherewith he was so pulled down for thirty days todgither, that he could not be present at their doings, nor give them counsel how too deal. By means whereof the Townsmen being refreshed both with victuals and with new and fresh succours that were daily sent in, and heartened with daily salyes, and moreover encouraged by letters and messages from the king, bore out the siege stoutly. But all men are certainly persuaded, that had not the Admiral's sickness hindered the matter, Poitiers had come under his subjection.  
about the same season, one Dominik Albio, a Gascon borne, and one of the Admiral's household servants, which being taken by the King's side, had tarried certain months in their Camp and custody returned now home too his Master, and resorting boldly again too his house, began too be had in suspicion at many men's hands, for his fond talk & for the unconstancy of certain speeches that he cast forth, because he commonly agreed not with himself. By occasion whereof being apprehended & examined, he brought forth a box of poison, which he confessed too have been delivered him by one Rivers, the captain of the Duke of Anjou's guard, and by a certain other person which was the same Duke's secretary, & that he was promized .2000. French crowns to kill his master the Admiral therewith. Upon the knowledge whereof he was condemned too death, & whereas most men deemed him worthy of grievouser punishment, yet was he but hanged with a rope, notwithstanding that his master sewed for his pardon.  
Before the Admiral was thoroughly rid of his disease, when word was brought him that the town of Chastelleraut which was a .7. miles of from the Camp, was besieged of his enemies: he led his power thither, being carried himself in a horselitter, and easily entering the Town with his soldiers, did put his enemies too flight, slaying a great number of them, and specially of the Italians: and he ceased not too pursue his enemies as they fled, till they were past the River, which for the deepness thereof is in the vulgar tongue called the Crewse. In the mean while the young Duke of Gwyse, which had been captain of Poitiers, issewing out of the town with a great company by night, did sand in other new and fresh fellows in their stead. And ere long after, the Duke of Anjou having repaired a great army, not only of Frenchmen, but also of Almains and Swissers, came too Chinon. The army of the Protestants began too be weary of the long siege of Poitiers, for want of victuals and wine, and through fowl and stormy wether, matched with sickness which had greatly annoyed the footmen, specially of the Germans. By reason whereof many of the Santones had conveyed themselves home too refresh their bodies, & divers had slunk away into the innermore part of France, to Sharitie and Sancerre, which were in possession of the Protestants. Which when the Admiral understood, he thought it good not to be overhasty, and therefore restrained the hot courage of his soldiers from battle. whereupon both the soldiers & the petty captains did cast forth threatening speeches, saying that they would return home, and shifted for themselves: for it would be more for their ease to make war at home in their own countries, where they might help themselves with their own household store, than in strange places: specially seeing they had the possession of certain towns in Aquitane & Delphynoys, & by the river of Loire, wherinto they might resort, and wherowt of they might make invasions, and easily waste the fields of their enemies. Not unlike these were the speeches of the Almane soldiers, who having forborn their wages now certain moons, kryed out that the matter was too be committed too the sword, rather than too lie linger so long from their own countries and dwelling places. And it was almost come too the point, that certain noblemen of great authority were about too have forsaken the Camp, and too have led a great part of the army away with them.  
When it was once determined too put the matter too the sword, and that both the armies drew near too Mongontur to encamp there: the Capteins of the army of our adversaries, did soodeinly set upon our light horsemen that were the fore-riders, and upon certain bands of our forward, whereof the Admiral had the charge. The Admiral having sought a good while for his harness bearer, and finding him not, did at length nevertheless adventure into the thickest of his enemies. After him followed the foremencioned Woolrade earl of Mansfeeld, who compelled the battle of the enemies too forsake their ground. Hear ran a river which the adversaries laboured by all means too pass. The Admiral being guarded with certain Hargabuts, marched somewhat before the forward, and stayed at the bank of the brook, and stopped the enemies of their passage, providing there for all things necessary until the shetting in of the Evening, when as notwithstanding, his enemies never left beating of that place of all the while, both with great Ordinance and with small shot. And surely if they might have passed the River at that time, and have broken in upon our army, it had been horrible too think what a slaughter they had made of our men. For they were more in number than our host by a third part. Besides this, they were fresh and lusty, and our men faint and weary at the joining of the battle: and therefore it was but two days respite. For the third day when it came too hand strokes, the most part of our footmen went too wreck, and our horsemen were put too flight. The Admiral giving charge upon six hundred Almains, with two hundred French horsemen, was shot at with thick shot of pistolets, and wownded on the right side of his nozethrilles: insomuch that having his Beaver beaten too his face, and being not able too spit out the blood that issewed from his wound, and moreover having his sword stricken from him, and his sword girdle broken of with the continuance of the Pistolet shot, and almost all the lethers of his corselet burned asunder with the heat of the pellets that lighted upon his armour, so as his breastplate hung but by the uppermost thongs: he was at length conveyed out of the battle by the help and faithful servis of one Ploriner, a young-man of Normandy, whom he had brought up of a child in his house, and after the overthrow of his host, was conveyed by his friends too Partheney. Here a man may well wonder at the constancy and greatness of his courage. For whereas upon the receiving of this so great loss, most men did cast away both courage and hope: he took upon him too comfort and hearten every man, and calling all his secretaries and clerks unto him, sent letters abroad into all parts of France, lest the Protestants that were up in arms in other places, should faint, or think the loss too be so great, as might not be recovered within few days space.  
The next morning he took his way too Niort, and when he had set things in order there, he went thence too Santon, and abode there but seven days for the curing of his wownd, which could not be healed thoroughly in less than .25. days. While the Admiral was thus grieved with the burdens of his former travels, and with great heaviness and distress: news was brought him, that he was attainted of high treason by act of parliament, made at Paris the 13. day of September .1569, and that whosoever could bring him alive too the king, should have fifty thousand Crowns in reward for his labour. well-near at the same time it was told him, that one Martinengo an Italian, condemned of Treason in his own country, was sent with certain antsignes by the king to Shattilion, and that when he came there, he not only ransacked the Castle, and spoiled & carried away the costly plate and household stuff that had been laid up there of many ages as an ordinary furniture of the house, too the value of a hundred thousand Crowns at the least: but also did so burn up the Town that standeth under the Castle, as there scarcely remained any incling of a Town. At the receipt of which news, the Admiral was so far of from conceiving any greater grief of mind that could appall him in going forward with his affairs: that there appeared not so much as any alteration at all in his countenance: insomuch that when his friends and kinsfolk resorted too him too comfort him, he was wont too say stoutly unto them, that God of his singular goodness had given him such a mind at the present, as could possess the things that are termed goods, and not be possessed of them, so as his goods were always subject to him, & not he to his goods. And therefore in all the civil wars whereas for the most part all the princes, noble men, gentlemen, men of arms & footmen maintained themselves by the wars, & lived upon the prey from hand to mouth when the king had seized their possessions: Only the Admiral & a few other paid their hosts & victuallers always ready monny for themselves and their retinues: by reason whereof he had not only brought himself far in debt by borrowing upon interest: but also had laid a great part of his wives apparel, jewels, and ornaments too gage, and continued that trade so long, until that being in manner left destitute of all household helps, (which happened almost about the end of the third civil war) he sewed in an assembly of the states, too have some relief granted to him also, for the maintenance of his household charges.  
about the same time the Admiral wrote a letter with his own hand, too his own sons, and too his brother the andelot's sons, which were brought up all together under one Schoolmaster at Rochel, as is showed afore. Which copy and handwryting of his I having gotten, thought it worthy too be translated in manner word for word, and too be put into this place. It had (quoth he) been moste too my contentation, too have spoken these things unto you presently, and to have seen you and talked with you. But forasmuch as I am not able now so to do: I thought it good too warn you too have godliness and the fear of God continually before your eyes, specially sith trial and experience may now teach you, that there is no great trust too be given to the things that are termed goods. Our hope must be settled in another place than in this earth, and other Arts are too be gotten than those which are seen with eyes, and handled with hands. Howbeit, forasmuch as that lieth not in our own power, we must humbly crave help at God's hand, too bring us into the surest and safest way: and you must not look that that way shallbe pleasant and delyghtfull, and flowing with all prosperity. We must follow jesus Chryst which is gone afore us, and is our captain and standerdbearer. Men in deed have taken from us what they cold. If God continue always in the same will, happy shall we be, and well shall it be with us. For their working of this displeasure unto you, is not for any wrong or harm that you have done them, but only for hatred of me, whereof I am sure there is none other cause, but that God vouchsafeth to use my labour and servis in sustaining his Church. Therefore if we suffer harm and loss in that behalf, blessed are we: and we shall have such a reward, as no man can have power over it, I have many other things whereof I would writ unto you if I had leisure. At this time it shall suffice me to warn you, and to beseech you in God's name, to proceed lustily in the study of virtue, and to show both in your doings and sayings, and in all your whole life, how much you abhor all kind of vices. Obey your Schoolmaster and all others that are set over you: that if I may not enjoy your presence & sight so often as I would, I may at leastwise often understand that you be adorned with good and honest conditions. The last shallbe this, that if God will have us to suffer any inconvenience for his religion, either in our bodies or in our goods, yet we count ourselves happy and blessed. verily I pray and beseech him to maintain you and to further you, and to defend your youth. Far ye well. From the town of Santon the xuj. of October .1569. Shatilion.  
When the Lords had sit often times in counsel in the same town of Santon concerning their state: at length it seemed good by general consent, to set sum stay among the Townsmen, and to leave certain antsignes of footmen in garrison for defence of the town, and to go their way, with their lighthorsmen into the borders of Tolowse where Mountalbane, a town very strong both by nature & by hand of man, was in possession of the protestants, who had gathered no small somme of money wherewith too pay the Almains their wages. And besides that, they hoped that if they were once past the two rivers of Gerownd and Lot, they should join with the power whereof the County Mountgomrye, a man of great authority for his knightly prowess and skill in martial affairs, was captain, and by whose servis he had pacified Bierne, a territory of the King of Navarre's. In this journey, which was very painful by reason of the uneevennesse of the ways: although that all the Cities were manned with garrisons, and had cut asunder the bridges, and drawn the ferryboats all to the other sides: yet was there none so bold as too assail our soldiers wearied with the tediowsnesse of the ways, and (for the most part) unarmed, or too stop them as they passed the rivers and brooks on bridges made of barges and boats. Therefore after a long and weerisomme journey, they came at length too Mountalbane: out of the which town, the Admiral sent messengers to the King and the Queen mother, with charge to make earnest and humble suit in the behalf of all them that were in arms with him, that they should not suffer so many valeant men too murder one another, as were now ready in both the hosts too give battle, but of their clemency make an end of those so great miseries and inconveniences. For it was but the counsel of certain bishops and Cardinals which never came into the field themselves, and of a sort of Italians which had no remorse of Frenchmennes' miseries: Nevertheless it was a point of stark madness for them too think, that two hundred thousand Protestants, specially having so great a number of noblemen and Gentlemen among them, could be entrapped and rid quite and clean away without touch of breast: Nay verily, besides that, there were a great number even of the catholics themselves, which should not scape without tasting of the common miseries: insomuch that some should perish by the sword, and othersomme through the overgreatnesse and wearisomeness of travel and peynestaking, and the more part be sure to sustain great loss and hindrance in their goods and possessions. Again it was not beseeming the Majesty of a King, that (as the Courtiers did commonly report of him,) he should not spare his own people so he might oppress his adversaries: for it is the speech of a Tyrant and not of a King, too say, Let friends perish, so enemies may go too wreck with them. As for peace, the condition was eazie, namely that the authority of the public Counsel which was held at Orleans, and of the Edict made at Paris, do take place, so as men might have liberty to exercise the purer Religion in some certain places.  
Upon the sending of this message, consultation was had there how to pass the river of Gerownd, which was between Mountgomries' host and ours, and seemed very hard to be passed by reason of the depth, breadth and swiftness of the stream. Therefore the Admiral gave counsel to take the town of Mariane standing upon the same rivers side. Which being done, forasmuch as the County Mountgomrye possessed the other side, the Admiral devised to make a bridge in this wise. First heaving out fowrteene piles of timber, of four and twenty foot long a piece, sharpened at the one end and armed with iron, he drove them with rammers into the channel of the river, setting fowerteene more full against them in the upper part of the stream. Then upon every couple that stood one against another, he laid a beam well fastened with mortises and braces, and likewize sidebeames from pair to pair, which he covered over with planks to go upon. On either bank was made a little bridge upon two wheels, to convey horses the easier both of & on to the great bridge. And to strengthen the work with all, he fastened either row of the piles with cables and chains tied to posts driven into the ground on either side of the river. When the work was finished, and two days spent in passing over of the Almane horsemen: a ship of great burden coming down the stream in the dead of the night, dashed full against the bridge with such violence, that it shook the whole work & made it fall asunder. This ship our men took and held all that side of the river, howbeit for want of good looking to, because they tied it not with cables enough, it was carried away with the violence and swiftness of the stream. Therefore it seemed best to make passage for Mountgomrye with certain bots and wherries fastened together, whom the Almane horsemen which clozed up his rearward followed immediately.  
When the Admiral had given his soldiers a few days respite to refresh themselves, he led them to the City of Tholowse, and took many of the small towns about it, whereof some yielded themselves to his tuition and friendship, and some were won by force, and yet had he but two battering pieces in his host, which he had browgt with him from Mountalbane. When he had set those towns at some stay, he determined to take his journey to Vivaret and to the rivers side of Rhone. And because many had put on armour in Delphinoys that favoured his side, and held certain towns there, he sent part of his army over thither, to attemp the winning of more Cities if he could. The performance of which charge was committed to Lewis of Nassawe (of whom I have made mention before) who passing over on a bridge of boats, did strike such a fear into the rest of the people of Delphinoys, that they fled all of them into the towns. Howbeit forasmuchas he had no battering pieces, he thought it was not for him to tarry there any longer, but that he had done enough for the commendation of his own valiantness, and therefore when he had wasted their fields, he brought back his army again safe to the Admiral within few days after: which exploit of his purchased him great praise, as well among the Frenchmen as among the Almains, both for the nobleness of his courage, and for his skill in behaving himself.  
Anon after, the Admiral being appalled with overgreat labour, care, and watching, fell sick, wherewith although he were sore cumbered, yet notwithstanding forasmuchas he thought it best to come to the river of Loire with as much speed as might be, he determined to tarry long in no place, but caused himself too be conveyed with his army in a horselitter. For a two thousand men were assembled about Sharitie and Sanxerre, whom he thought greatly for his advantage too be joined with him: and that so much the rather, because Mounsyre Cossey the Marshal of France, whom the King had set in the room of the Duke of Anjou after the victory at Santone, was reported too be coming towards him with all the King's power. To whom the Admiral sent word by a Herald of his that was come into his Camp for the ransoming of prisoners, that Mounsyre Cossey should not need too take so much pains too come unto him, for he would visit him with as much speed as he could, and ease him of the travel of that journey. When the army was come too the Forest, behold there came Commissioners again from the King too treat of composition and peace. For when the Courtiers heard that the Admiral (who a little afore seemed too be forlorn and past hope of recovery) had gathered so great a power again and renewed his army: they were stricken in great fear, lest the Admiral joining with the power of Sharitie, should come right foorth too Paris, and set fire upon the goodly houses and pleasant manors of the Burgesses of Paris, and of the Courtiers near about the City, after which manner they had heard that he had plagued the Burgesses of Tholowse. When the Admiral had gone part of his journey by horselitter (as I said before) his disease began to grow sorer upon him, and the physicians letted not to say, that he could not long endure the force of it, specially being overladen with so many cares. And therefore the talk of the Commissioners was broken of, & the treaty of peace was let alone for a time, which intermission when certain noblemen of great authority among the protestants, took in displeasure because of the prolonging of the wars, & made complaint to the Commissioners that it was not meet that the communication of peace should be broken of for the sickness of the Admiral being but one man, for though he happened to die, he should leave a great sort alive behind him, with whom they might treat of composition: the Commissioners made them answer, that they wondered very much to see, that they perceived not of what estimation the authority of their Admiral was: for if he should die to day (quoth they,) tomorrow we would not offer you a cup of water, as who should say, ye knew not that the only name of the Admiral is more worth among you, than such another army as great as this. Within few days after, when the Admiral was somewhat cheered, and strengthened, they fell to consulting again of peace, and certain were chosen too go with the King's Commissioners, and to carry these Instructions with them. That nothing was more wished of the protestants than peace, nor nothing grieved them worse than war: but yet there was not any of them, which minded not to adventure much greevowser pains, yea and death itself, rather than to forsake God's Religion which they had professed. Wherefore if the king would grant them liberty too use the pure religion, as he had done in former years, and privilege certain towns for the same: there was none of them all but he would most willingly and gladly lay away weapon for ever. The Admiral having given these instructions too the Commissioners, dislodged his Camp, and ere long after took the Town of Reneleduc in his way, whither certain of the fore-riders of Mounsyre Cosseyes' host were come. And from thenceforth there scaped not almost any day without some skirmish: and one day the hearts of all the soldiers were so inflamed too battle, that a little more would have made the matter too have come too a pitched field, because that whereas there was but a Brook between both the hosts, Mountgomrey breaking the array of the adversaries Uaward (whereof one Mounsyre Valet a Gascon, a man of great estimation in his Country had the leading) did put them too flight.  
Within few days after, the king sent Commissioners again too the Camp, too ask truce, but so long till the things concerning the composition might be dispatched. For the Burgesses of Paris (who were of very great estimation with the king) were sore afraid of the wastings and burnings that were threatened them: nother is there any kind of people in all France, that is more fierce in provoking war when it is far of from their doors, nor more cowardly in accepting any conditions of peace when war comes home to them. When the Commissioners had gone too and fro on both sides a good sort of times, at length an Edict was brought from the King, whereby he gave men leave to exercise and maintain the Religion in certain places, and for the assuring thereof, gave them four cities in pledge, namely Rochel, Mountalbane, Conyak, and Sharitie.  
When this peace (which is reckoned as the third) was made, and the King's Edict proclaimed over all France: the Admiral having first conveyed home the Almane horsemen to the borders of Germany, brought back the two young Princes (of Navarre and Condey) too Roehell too the Queen of Navarre, determining too abide there, until he might perceive that the peace was thoroughly settled everywhere. Within few moons, trusting too the King's promises, and too the oaths both of the King himself, and of his brethren, and of all the parliaments, forasmuch as he hoped that after the owtwearing of so many toils, he should now get some rest, he inclined his mind too marriage again, at the persuasion of his friends, and specially being invited by the kinsfolk of the Lady jaquet of Moulet, the widow of the Lord Antony Moulet, ¶ daughter of the County Entremont, of whose modesty, godliness, and holy conversation he had herd much a good while ago. Therefore being honourably brought unto him too Rochel, he took her too his wife. And within a while after, he gave a daughter of his named Loyse, in marriage too Mounsyre Telignie, a young Gentleman of great Nobility and singular virtue. No gentleman in all France seemed more dear and delightful too the king, than this Telignie was, for his singular towardness. And therefore it is the common brute among all men, that this man's report was the only thing that persuaded the Admiral, too conceive good opinion of the king's faithfulness and favour towards him.  
Anon after, in the year of our Lord 1571, the Admiral being invited by most gentle and honourable letters of the kings, repaired too the Court then lying at Bloys, and was requested too be the maker of the marriage between the king's sister, and Henry the young king of Navarre: [for the better bringing whereof too pass] the King had declared by his messengers and commissioners, that there could not be devised a more sure bond too link together the public peace and concord, nor a certeiner means too bring all the states too an atonement. Within a few days after the Admiralles departure, the young Duke of Gwyse being persuaded by the counsel of the Cardinal his uncle, and by his mothers enticement, began too renew the old quarrel of his father's murder. The King therefore using his authority in the matter, did set down a form of composition, which he determined too have them both sworn unto, and too confirm it with their seals, so as all remembrance of that dissension should be utterly wiped away. Notwithstanding, when as the Duke of Gwyse came too Paris within a few days after with a great train of armed men, and the Admiral (who was then gone home too Shattilion,) being certified thereof by Telignie his son in law, requested the king too give him leave to keep some convenient guard about him in his house: the King wrote to him with his own hand, (which letter was delivered too Mounsyre Brikmaw, a man of great estimation, too carry unto him) that he liked very well that he should take as good heed too himself as he could, giving him leave too guard himself & his castle with as great a company as he listed: and he required him too trust too his good will towards him, and not too doubt but that he should both hope for and look for as much maintenance at his hand, as any good subject might look for at a good princes hand. This letter indicted with many words too that purpose, many men read with great pleasure, because it was written with the Kings own hand: and now they thought that his good will towards the Admiral was not too be doubted of any more. In respect whereof, Lewis of Nassaw, of whom I have made mention afore, thinking that it was not for him too let slip this occasion of speeding his own affairs, began to break with the king (who had invited him secretly too the Court) on the behalf of his brother the Prince of Orendge, and told him how there were many Cities in Low Duchland, which were so weary of the madness, lechery, covetousness and cruelty of the spaniards, that if he would reach them his helping hand, they would willingly and gladly submit themselves too his tuition and jurisdiction. When certain days had been spent about this matter, at length the king made the County of Nassawe faithful promise, that he would sand the Admiral thither out of hand with a great power: and it was covenanted betwixt them, that if that war had good success, than the King should have all the Low Country from Antwerp too Picardy: and Holland, Zealand, and Fryzeland should be left too the Prince of Orendge.  
about the same time were letters intercepted from Cardinal Perlewe too the Cardinal of Lorreine: the contents whereof were, that the king was never in better mind, and therefore he was in very good hope of the prosperous success of their common conceits, by reason of the singular earnestness of the king himself, and of the Queen Mother, and of Henry the Duke of Anjou. For the king had behaved himself much more wisely, and played his part far more cunningly at the Admiralles coming too the Court, than any of them had looked for: by means whereof the king had made the Admiral believe, that there was no occasion left why he should suspect him, or think amiss of his good will towards him, which thing the Cardinal of Lorrein knew well enough too be the growndwoork of all the device which they had in hand. And whereas communication was ministered of making war upon the king of Spain, and the king had accepted the same with so free a courage, as the Admiral conceived very good opinion of his good will towards him: those shifts were too be pursued, till their secret practice might take his expected event. As for the king of Spain, he was diligently informed of all things, and such means used, as he should not mislike of the preparature of war that was pretended too outward show, because all those things were applied too the accomplishing of a singular good purpose. Therefore whatsoever the Cardinal had herd too have been done afore, or should here hereafter: let him assure himself that the king would not start from the thing that he had once begun. For whatsoever was done or too be done, was directed and applied too the end of their determined purpose: and there was not any thing whereof the king, and his mother, and his brother had so great a care. Wherefore as soon as the matter were dispatched, he would write too the Cardinal of Lorrein with all speed, & sand him a sure and faithful messenger for the nonce. As touching the king of Navarre's marriage, he hoped it would be brought of a hand within a little while. For that must set their matters abroach. In the which mean season, the time that was appointed for the laying of the four towns too pledge would be run out.  
He that sent the Admiral the copy of this letter, hoped that the reading thereof would forewarn him too take heed too himself, and too lay for the safety of his state. But he trusted so much too the king's faithfulness and great good will towards him, (specially because it was confirmed by the continual persuasions of his sonnylawe Telignie) that whereas in all other things he seemed most sharpwitted, and of very great foresight, in this one case he was by a kind of destiny stark blind. Howbeit forasmuch as there is a treatise set forth already, entitled the declaration of the Hellish slaughter, containing the discourse of the whole matter, with the tragical issue thereof, and the celebrating of the king of Navarre's marriage with all manner of pomp and royalty of shows: I will as now set down no more but the things that concern the last time of the Admiralles life, whereof I have gotten most certain testimonies. Notwithstanding, I will first set down a copy of a letter which he wrote the self same day with his own hand from Paris, too his wife then great with child. For seeing I had the original copy in my hand, which seemed to carry great weight with it for the setting forth of the truth of the story: I thought it was not to be let pass in this place. And therefore I have translated it thus, in manner word for word. Greeting. This day (my right dear beloved wife) is the marriage of the king's sister, & of the king of Navarre celebrated. These next .3. days willbe spent in plays, banquetings, masks & triumphs. The king hath promised me faithfulli, that afterward he will bestow some time in hearing the complaints that are brought to him from sundry parts of his realm for violating of his edict of peace. In which matter it is good right that I should employ myself to the uttermost of my power. For although I have great desire to see thee, yet would it be a grief both to me, & to thee also (as I think) if my endeavour & duty should want in the furtherance of that matter. Nevertheless, this let will not stay my departure out of the City so long, but that I may come away the next week. If I had no further respect than of myself, it were more pleasure for me too be with thee, than to tarry any longer in this Court, for causes which thou shalt know of me when I come home. But I must have more regard of the common weal, than of private love or commodity. I have divers other things too impart too thee, as soon as I may conveniently talk with thee, whereof I assure thee I am desirous night and day. But all that I can tell thee of as now, is this. It was this day past four of the clock in the afternoon, ere the marriage mass was celebrated. While that was a singing, the king of Navarre walked up and down with certain noblemen of our Religion which followed him, in a certain yard with out the Church. There are a number of smaller things, which I will defer till we may talk together. In the mean while I beseech God too preserve thee my deerbeloved and most loving wife. At Paris the .18. of August. 1572. A three days ago I was diseased with the cholik and the stone. But (as God would) it lasted not passed a .9. or .10. hours: and as now (such is God's goodness) I am free from all such pains. I promise thee I will trouble none of them in the throngs of their feasts & plays. Once again Farewell. The subscription of the letter was this: Thy loving husband, Shattilion.  
The .5. day after the Date of this letter, which was the .22. day of August, as the Admiral went homeward from the king's counsel about dinner time, and passed by the house of Villemure a canon, schoolmaster too the young Duke of Gwyse, he was stricken with a hargabus shot out of a Lattiswindowe, and wownded in three places. For the forefinger of his right hand was broken in pieces, and his left arm shot through with two pellets of brass: which thing the foremencioned story of the hellish slaughter hath briefly touched. hereupon the Physicians and Surgeons were sent for out of hand, among whom was Ambrose Parey the King's Surgeon, which was takent too have great skill in Leachecraft. He that was witness of the things insewing, did both see them and also hold up the Admiralles arm as he lay upon his bed. The said Ambrose began his cure at the broozed finger, and did cut it of not without putting his patient to great pain. For inasmuch as his pinsons were not sharp enough, he was fain to open them thrice, and thrice to gripe them again together. Afterwards he lanced both the sides of his left arm where the pellets had pierced through: the pain whereof the Admiral abode, not only with a stout courage, but also with a steadfast countenance. Yea and whereas they that held up his arms and beheld those lancings were not able to forbear weeping: the Admiral perceiving them too be dismayed, said unto them. Why weep ye my friends? I think myself blessed in suffering these wounds for God's name sake. And therewithal looking upon Merline a minister of God's word, my friends (quoth he) these are Gods benefits. In deed I am full of pain: but I acknowledge this to be the will of our Lord God, and I think his majesty that he hath vouchsafed me so great honour, as to lay some cross upon me for his most holy names sake. Therefore let us pray him too grant me the gift of perseverance. Then beholding Merlyne morning and lamenting. My Merlyne (quoth he) why dost thou not rather comfort me? Ye say truth sir (answered Merlyne) nother is there any greater or surer comfort for you, than to think continually that God doth you great honour, in deeming you worthy to suffer these griefs for his name and religions sake. My Merlyne (replied the Admiral) if God should handle me according to my deserts and worthiness, and deal with me according too his justice: I should have far other manner of griefs too endure. But blessed be his Name for using his mercy and clemency towards me his most unworthy servant. O Sir (quoth another) hold ye still in that godly mind. For you have cause too give great thanks to him for his goodness, in that he hath left you the most part of your body whole and sound. Therefore you have in these wowndes a greater warrant of God's mercy, than token of his wrath: specially sith he hath left you your head and mind unwounded. Then answered Merlyne, You do very well too turn away your mind and conceit from your strikers, and from them that gave you these wowndes, unto God alone. For surely it was his hand that laid these strokes upon you, and it is no time for you too think now upon the cutthrots and murderers. As for me (quoth the Admiral) undoubtedly I forgive freely and with all my heart both him that struck me, and them that did set the striker to do it. For I am sure it is not in their power too do me any harm, not not even although they should kill me: for I am out of all doubt, that death is too me a passage unto life, which saying he repeated again anon after too the Marshal Mounsyre Damuyle, who came too him too visit him, in the hearing of Merlyne, who escaped the slaughter and is yet still alive. And when the same Merlyne told him that the calamities and miseries which happen too godly men in this life, do commonly stir them up to pray unto God the more earnestly, and quicken them up to reverence God's power: by and by the Admiral did burst out into these words with a loud voice and vehement courage, saying: Lord God, heavenly father, pity me of thy mercy and clemency, and remember not the wickedness of my former life. If thou look upon our faults, and upon our lightness and unfaithfulness in breaking of thy Laws, Lord who shall abide it? who shallbe able to endure the force of thy wrath? Setting aside all fabulous Gods, I call upon thee alone, acknowledging and worshipping thee the etetnall father of the eternal God jesus Christ, Throwgh him I beseech thee to grant me thy holy spirit, and the gift of patience. In thine only mercy do I trust. In that only is my whole hope repozed. Wither it be thy will to give me present death, or to prolong my life yet longer, behold, I protest myself to be ready unto both: nothing doubting but that if I must die out of hand, thou wilt take me out of hand into thy blessed and heavenly rest. And if thou suffer me too continue longer in this life, grant me O heavenly Father, that I may spend the rest of my time, all wholly in spreading abroad the glory of thy name, and in the reverencing and observing of thy most holy religion. When he had ended this prayer, Merlyne asked of him nevertheless, whither it could like him that his Servants should also join their prayers with his. To whom the Admiral answered, with all my heart, and you Master Merlyne speak on in the behalf of this our congregation. While Merlyne was uttering a prayer applied to the present case, the Admiral lifting up his eyes to heaven, showed a wonderful earnestness of mind in praying. After the end of the prayer, when Merline alleged the examples of the ancient Martyrs, and told how that even from Abraham and Adam, no man had ever employed his servis notably to God & his Church, but he was afflicted with many inconveniences: the Admiral interrupting his speech, said he felt himself greatly confirmed by his talk, and took great comfort by his rehearsal of those Martyrs and godly fathers, and that his grief was much assuaged by it.  
Soon after, Mounsyre Cossey & Mounsyre Damuyle the Marshals of France came unto him, assuring him that they were very sorry for his mischance, and that there had not happened any thing to them a good while, that was a greater grief and corzie too them: nevertheless it was meet and agreeable too the wonted courage of his mind, that he should pluck up his heart & show himself a man: for his own prowess had given him much more, than that mishap could take away. Then the Admiral turning to Cossey, said: You remember what I told you a while ago: undoubtedly you must abide as much yourself. Then said the Damuyle, my Lord Admiral, I will not take upon me either to comfort you or to encourage you to valiantness and constancy of mind. You yourself are he from whom such precepts of comfort and corageowsnesse are to be taken. But I pray you see wherein my servis may pleasure you. I marvel whence these things come. The Admiral answered: other than the Duke of Gwyse, I suspect none: and yet I dare not affirm that for a certainty. Notwithstanding, God's goodness hath lately taught me, to fear nother mine enemies nor yet death, which I know to be utterly unable to hurt me, & rather to be a blessed and everlasting rest. For I know that God in whom alone I put my trust, is nother deceitful nor untrue: howbeit that in this my misfortune, nothing hath happened more to my grief, than that I see myself bereft of liberty, to show to the King how much I was minded to have done for his sake: (his saying so, was in respect of the matter concerning Flaunders.) Would God I might talk a little with him, for I have certain things which it standeth him greatly on hand to know, and I think there is not any man that dareth report them unto him.  
In the mean season the King of Navarre and the Prince of Condey, complained to the King of the heynowsenesse of the fact. To whom the King answered thus: I swear by God whom I take too witness, that I will revenge this fact so severely, as it may be an example too all that shall come after. The woman that was found in the house (wherowt of the Hargabut was shot at the Admiral,) and a boy of hers were taken and cast in prison. about two of the clock in the afternoon, the King being certified of the admirals desire, went unto him, accompanied with the Queen mother, the Kings two brothers, the Duke Mounpauncer, the Cardinals of Bourbon, Mounsyre Damuyle, Mounsyre Tavanne, and Mounsyre Cossey Marshals of France, the County of Rhets, Mounsyre Torrey and Mounsyre Meruey the Damuyles brothers, after whom followed Gonzaga Duke of Nivers. At the first the King commanded all that were of the Admiral's household to be shut out of the chamber, saving Mounsyre Telignie and his wife, and one person that scaped alive from the slaughter, who marked advisedly what was done and said at that time. When the king was come to the beds side, I thank your majesty most humbly (quoth the Admiral) that you have vowtsafed me so great honour, and taken so great pains for my sake. The King pretending gladness for that great courage of his mind, willed him with very fair words to hope well, & to be of good comfort. Sir (quoth the Admiral) there are three things whereof I was desirous to talk with your majesty. The first is mine own faithfulness & allegiance towards your highness. So may I have the favour & mercy of God, at whose iudgmentseate this mischance will peradventure set me ere it be long, as I have ever borne a good heart to your majesties person & crown. And yet I am not ignorant how often maliciowse persons have accuzed me too your highness, and charged me as a trubbler of the state. But (as God would) the matter itself hath sufficiently showed, though I myself should hold my peace, that the only cause of all those great slanders is, that I have withstood those men's overboldness and outrage, and defended the authority of your Edicts against their trubblesum and violent attempts, and could not bear that they should break the promise which you had made so often with oath unto your subjects. Of this my meaning God is best witness, who will examine the case between me and my backefreends, and decide it according to his righteowsensse. Again, forasmuchas I have been advanced to so great honour and authority in this Realm by your majesties father and grandfather, and confirmed in the same by your bownteowsenesse: I cannot discharge my duty towards you, without making humble petition to you, too vowtsafe too remedy the great number of hurlyburlyes that have kept your Realm occupied now a good while. Now come I too the Flaunders matter. Never any of your ancestors had so notable an occasion of welspeeding. Many Cities of neither Dutcheland do sew for your friendship, as you know, and are desirous to commit themselves to your protection. This occasion I see to be openly scorned in your Court, and to be taken from you through the fault of a few. Now o'late, the army that Mounsyre Genlys led, was surprised of the Duke of Alva by a train, and for the most part discomfited and put too the sword. You know what a sort of Catholics were in that army. Now what Religion suppoze you them too be of, or what mind think you that they bear towards their own countrymen and followers of the same religion, which make but a mock at so great slaughter of them? A straw can scarce be stirred in your secret counsel, nor any voice be uttered there, but it is by-and-by carried too the Duke of Alva, I beseech you, can we hope for any thing, when they that are of the privy counsel with yourself or your brothers, do blow abroad even your secretest devices too strangers, yea and to your enemies? Sir, I would very fain that you had a care of this thing, and I beseech you so have hereafter. The last, which I would wish you too have no less care of, is the observing of your Edict of pacification. You know you have oftentimes confirmed it by oath: and you know that not only foreign nations, but also your neybowrprinces and friends are witnesses of the often renewing of the same oath. O Sir, how unseemly is it that this your oath should be counted well-near but for a jest and moccage, as it is now commonly taken. Will foreign Princes and nations make any account hereafter of you or of your promise? Within these few days past, as a Nurse was carrying home of a young babe from baptism not far from Troy's in Shampayne, and was returning from a sermon that was made in a certain village by you assigned for the same purpose: certain seditiowse persons which lay in wait by the way, killed both the Nurse and the child, and some of the company which had been bidden to the Christening,  
Consider I beseech you how horrible the outrage of that murder was, and how well it may stand with your honour and dignity, too suffer so great owtrages unrevenged and unpunished in your kingdom. Too this his oration the king answered thus: that he never doubted of his faithfulness, but took him for a good subject, a valeant man, and an excellent captain, even for such a one as none was comparable to him in all his Realm. And if I had had any other opinion of you (quoth he): I would never have done as I did. It was marked advisedly, that the King answered not one word concerning the Flaunders affairs, and that he answered to the third point thus. That he meant nothing more than that his Edicts of pacification should be kept faithfully and severely: and that for the same cause he had sent commissioners into all parts of his Realm, for witness whereof he cited forthwith the Queen his mother, who turning too the Admiral, said, my Lord, there is nothing truer: Commissioners are sent forth into all parts. Yea (quoth the Admiral) of that sort of men which valued my head at the price of fifty thousand Crowns. Then said the King, my Lord Admiral, it is too be feared lest this contention impair your health, it is better for you too take your rest, the hurt is yours, but the despite is mine. But I swear too you by the life of God, that I will punish this fact so severely, as it shallbe remembered for ever. We have a woman and a boy in prison, which were taken in the house. Is it your desire too have any too sit upon the examination and judgement of them? As for that matter (quoth the Admiral) I refer it too your majesties own discretion and justice. Notwithstanding, forasmuch as you require mine advice, I would wish that Mounsyre Cavanie, and Mounsyre Masparotte were called too the doing of it. Also the Admiral named a third person, but he that is the witness of this talk hath forgotten his name. The Admiral added, surely I think there needs no far search too be made for the author of this deed. Upon these words the king and the Queen Mother went nearer the Admiral's pillow, and talked with him softly. Of which communication he that stood by the beds side could here nothing else, but that at the last the Queen said, Although I be but a woman, yet I am of opinion that it is to be looked too betimes. The king at his going away, connseled the Admiral too be removed into the palace: and so said the County Rets once or twice too the Admiral's sonnylaw, & too the other that stood at the bed's side: adding further, that he feared that the men of Paris would make such a stir, as the king should not well be able to appease. It was answered him that none of all the Surgeons allowed that device, but were all of opinion, that the pain of his wounds being so green, would increase by the shaking of his body. And as for the Parisians, they were no more too be feared than a sort of women, so long as the king continued his faithful good will towards the Admiral: For the name of King was of such estimation every where throughout all France, and specially in Paris, that the very mention thereof would out of hand appease the common people, were they never so furiowse & out of their right wits. Then the king would needs see the brazen pellet wherewith the Admiral was wounded, and asked of him whither he felt any great pain when his finger was cut of, and his arm lanced. And whereas he that showed him the pellet, had the sleeve of his cote alberayed with blood: the king demanded of him, whither that were done with the Admiral's blood or not, and whither much blood had issewed from his wounds or no. Too whom the other answered as he thought good: Then, I am sure (quoth the king) that there is not a stowter nor a constanter man too be found this day in the world: and therewithal he delivered him the pellet again. Which when his mother coming after him had beheld, I am glad (quoth she) that the pellet is out of his flesh: for I remember, that when the Duke of Gwise was slain in his camp, some surgeons told me, that although there had been some poison mixed with it, yet there was no danger when the pellet was once out. Then said another, Madam, we were not so contented, but we gave the Admiral a drink, to help him betimes if any poison had been mixed with it.  
Anon after when the king was gone out, the Lord john Ferrer the Vidame of Sharters entering into the Admiralles chamber, and comforting him with many words, added at the last, that his enemies had openly bewrayed their cowardliness, in that they durst not assail him otherwise than at a Lattiswindowe: and that the Admiral was blessed and happy, in that he had held out in renown of so great prowess unto that age. Too whom the Admiral answered: Nay, I think myself blessed in that God hath vowtsafed too power out his mercy upon me. For they be rightly happy, whose sins and wickedness God forgiveth. Not long after, by the advice of the king of Navarre, & of the Prince of Condey, the chief Lords went together into a parlour underneath the Admiralles chamber, too see what counsel might be taken as the matter and time required. There the Lord Ferrer showed with many earnest words, that the best was too get them speedily out of Paris, for it was not too be doubted, but that this was as the first pageant of some tragedy, whereof the rest should follow soon after. Others reasoned against it, saying it was enough if they demanded justice at the king's hand, so as he should command an inquiry too be made of the fact, and judgement too be executed accordingly: in which opinion Mounsyre Telignie stood very stiffly, affirming that he knew the king's mind thoroughly and assuredly, and therefore that they ought not too think amiss of his good william.  
The next day, certain of the Admiral's friends having advertisement that there was much huffling and shuffling in the City, and privy conveying of armour & weapon together in many places: thought it very expedient too consult of the matter betimes, and that no good was too be looked for of such turmoiling and huddling together. hereupon charge was given to one of them that are witnesses of these things, too go too the king, and too certify him of the stirring of the people and the clattering of armour, and therewithal too request him too command some competent number of his guard to keep watch at the Admiralles gate, for his defence. As soon as the king herd that, by-and-by being sore displeazed with it (as it seemed) and marveling at it, he began too inquire of him who had told it him, and whither it were reported so too the Admiral: and therewithal commanded the County Rhetes to call the Queen his mother. The Queen was scarce come in, but the king being in a great chafe (as it should seem) said, what a mischief? What a do is here? This man tells me that the people are in an uproar, and ready too put on armour. They be in no uproar, said she, nother do they arm themselves: but you know you have given commandment, that every man should keep himself within his own ward till the break of day, lest any tumult might perchance ensue. That is true (quoth the king) but yet I gave charge that no man should put on armour. Then the other man, too go through with the rest of his errand, desired the king too sand sum part of his guard too the Admiral. Too whom the Duke of Angeow, who was come thither with his mother, said: very well, take Mounsyre Cousin's too you with fifty Hargabuttes. Not (quoth the other) it is enough for us if we may have but six of the king's guard with us. For they shall bear as much sway with the people, as a greater number of armed men. Nay marry, (quoth the King) and so said the Duke of Anjou too, take Mounsyre Cousin's too you: you cannot choose a fit man. At which words, uttered (as it should seem) with stomach enough, the messenger who knew Mounsyre Cousin's to be the Admiral's deadly enemy, was notwithstanding stricken dumb. And ere he was gone far from the chamber, he found Mounsyre Thorrey the Marshall Memorancies brother, who whispering in his ear, said: there could not a more hateful keeper have been appointed too you. Too whom the other answered, you see how skornfully the king commanded it: we have committed ourselves too his courtesy: but yet you are witnesses of my former answer too the king's appointment.  
Within a few hours after, Mounsyre Cousin's came too the Admiral's lodging, accompanied with 50. hargabutters: and choze two houses next it for himself to place his warders in. And anon after followed Rambulet the knight Herbinger, who according too the Duke of Angeowes' mind, which he had given forth in his former talk, commanded all the noblemen and gentlemen that were Catholics, too remove out of that street, and too lodge somewhere else, and distributed those lodgings too the Admiral's friends & acquaintance. Than the which device none could be invented either more subtle or fit for performance of the things that came to pass afterward. Towards the evening there happened a thing that gave many men no small occasion of mistrust. A certain lad brought a couple of boarspears to the Admiral's lodging by the commandment of Thelignie, whom Cousin's bade back, and would not suffer the boarspears too be carried in. The matter was reported to the king of Navarre, who was within with the Admiral. Whereupon he came down and asked of Cousin's how he durst be so bold as to do so. Mounsyre Cousin's answered him flatly, that he did it by the king's commandment & appointment. Nevertheless (quoth he) seeing it is your pleasure, let them be carried in. The same day the king [of Navarre] had sent secretly too his friends, and often warned them too repair as many as might be, near unto the Admiralles lodging, & too fill all that ward. Within few hours after, there was a counsel called under the Admiralles chamber, Where Marline renewing the former opinion, was very earnest too have the Admiral conveyed out of Paris, and that his friends and familiars should departed with him: for he saw many things every hour, which did greatly increase his mistrust of bad measure. contrariwise, all the residue for the most part were of opinion that justice was too be demanded at the King's hand, and that request was too be made, that all the Gwisians should depart out of Paris, because they bore too much sway with the people of the Town. Which opinion the king of Navarre, and the Prince of Condey, and well near all the rest allowed, and refuzed the other: so much the rather, because Mounsyre Telignie avouched that the king should be wronged, if any man should doubt of his faithfulness and upright dealing: wherefore it should suffice too demand justice meeldly and quietly at his hand: for the matter was yet green, and if any overgreat stoutness should be uzed, it were too be feared lest the king would be offended at it. In that Counsel was present one Bucavan a Picard: and it was marked that he spoke not one word, but held his peace & noted every man's opinion, which dealing did greatly increase the suspicion that had been conceived of him now long ago. For many thought it strange, that he professing the purer religion, should notwithstanding be so highly in favour with the Queen Mother, and resort so often too the County Rhetes, and others of the Queen's familiar friends.  
about the third hour of the night, there rose another occasion of suspicion through Mounsyre Cousin's frowardness: who espying the Corselets of Mounsyre Telignie, and Mounsyre Gwerchie too be brought in, did put back the bringer. Upon the knowledge whereof, Gwerchie being of warlike disposition, and very fierce of nature, went out too Cousin's, and giving him evil language, was like too have made a fray with him. But Telignie appeazed the quarrel with gentle speech: for (as all men report) he was a young-man of a meeld and meek dispozition, and such a one as being deceived with the King's fair words, was wont to advance and commend his sincerity without measure or end. Therefore when as Gwerche and divers others asked of him whither he thought it good for them to tarry and keep watch all night in the admirals house, he answered them all that it was labour more than needed, and gave them thanks with very loving words. By means whereof it fell out, that none lodged in the Admiral's house that night, but only Cornaton, Labon, Yolette the Master of the admirals horses, Merline the minister of God's word, Ambrose the King's Surgeon, the admirals chamberseruants, and a four or five other servants at the most. For Telignie had gotten himself with his wife into his own house which joined wall to wall to the admirals lodging. Nevertheless there watched five Swissers of the King of Navarre's guard at the gate of the owtter court, whom he had commanded to tarry there all night for the Admiralles defence.  
somewhat before daylyght, word was brought to Labon, that there was one at the gate sent by the King to the Admiral, who desired too be let in. Labon taking the keys ran too the gate out of hand and opened it. by-and-by Cousins cawght hold of him and killed him with his dagger: and being guarded with his hargabuzers, he rushed forthwith into the house, & killed some running away amazed and othersomme as they met him: and set all on a noize and uproar. Then broke he open the door at the stairs foot, and although he slew one of the Swissers with the shot of a hargabut: yet was he kept from coming up the stairs, by setting certain chests in his way. The Admiral and they that were with him, being waked with the noise of the pistole●s and Curriers, & doubting not but that their enemies were broken in upon them, did forthwith fall flat upon the ground, & began to pray for peace at God's hand, and too call unto him for mercy. The Admiral himself being lifted out of his bed, and having put on his nightgown, commanded Merlyne too make prayers before him, and he calling upon Christ our God with vehement sighing, fell too commending of his spirit into his hands, which he had received of God to enjoy. When the witness of all these things came into his chamber, being demanded of Ambrose the Surgeon what noise that was: he turned himself to the Admiral and said: Sir, it is God that calleth us unto him. They have broken into the house, & there is no way too withstand them. As for me (quoth the Admiral) I have prepared myself unto death afore hand. Shifted you for yourselves if you can possibly: for it willbe in vain for you too go about too save my life. I commend my soul to God's mercy. They that are the witnesses of these things, noted that the Admiral did no more change his countenance at these doings, than if no strange thing at all had happened unto him. All the residue (saving only Nicolas Musky, a right trusty servant of his, & his interpreter for the dutch tongue) getting themselves away into the garrets of the house, and finding a window in the roof, fell too shifting for their lives by flight, and divers of them scaped by the benefit of the night.  
By that time Cousin's having removed the chests, and the other stops that were cast in his way, brought in first certain of the Swissers appareled in longcotes guarded with black, white, and green, whereby it was perceived that they were of the Duke of Anjou's guard. These beholding their four countrymen upon the stairs, did hurt none of them. But Cousin's being armed with a corselet & a shield, and brandishing his naked sword in his hand, did by and by command the hargabuzere that was next him too shoot at them, with which shot one of them was stricken stark dead out of hand. Assoon as they were broken into the Admiral's chamber, one Beheme a German, borne in the Dukedom of Wirtemberg, (whose father (by report) was the master of the ordinance,) being the first that stepped into the chamber, and seeing the Admiral sitting there, said: Art not thou the Admiral? Yis I am he (quoth the Admiral:) and thou young man have regard of my door head and old age. But Beheme without giving him any more words, struck him on the head with his sword, and was the first that imbrued himself with the Admiralles blood. After him followed Cousin's, Attignie, and all the residue. As for the rest of the things that concern the murders & saccages that were done in Paris those .2. whole days together, they be recorded already in the foresaid discourse of the hellish manslawghter. The admirals body being thrown down out of a window, was trampled under foot by the young Duke of Gwyse, and anon after tumbled into the mire in the open street, and mangled and used with all the villainy that might be, and a three days after carried out of the City by the furious multitude, and hanged up by the feet upon the gallows of Mountfalcon. There it remained certain days as a banner of the people of Parisis' victory, and as a monument of their madness and cruelty, which they executed upon him both quick & dead: which deed will not only never be forgotten, but also be the destruction of Paris, as a number of wise and discreet men foredeeme. But within a few days after, the admirals body was taken down in the night by certain horsemen, and buried in a secret place.  
Among divers writings that were taken in the riffeling of his stuff, was found his will, made a little before the end of the last wars, which the Queen mother commanded too be read before certain of her familiar friends. In the same there was one article, wherein the testator counseled the King, that he should not give his brothers too great richesse, and authority. At the hearing whereof, the Queen turning too Francis Duke of Alaunson the King's brother, said: Lo here your odd friend the Admiral, whom you loved so dearly and set so much store by. To whom the Duke of Alaunson answered: I cannot tell how much he was my friend: but surely he hath well showed, even by this counsel, how greatly he loved the king. Not unlike too this was the Queen of Inglands' Ambassadors answer. Who, when the Queen mother told him that the Admiral had counseled the king too be always gelows of the power of Ingland: answered, surely that mind of his was evil towards Inglande, but singularly good towards France.  
When tidings of the slaughter at Paris was carried into Ingland, Scotland, and Germany, too such as held the same Religion of the Gospel which the Admiral had done: it is incredible too tell how great hatred it procured too the king and the Queen moteer, specially forasmuch as in those few days, almost ten thousand Protestant's being stricken in fear, and amazed with that storm, fled into those countries: who making report that the Admiral was a noble gentleman, a great and wise captain, and the glory of their country, blazed the authors of that wickedness for rank murderers. Too the increase whereof made also the speeches and complaints of divers young Gentlemen of Germany, who being sent into France too study there, and being stricken in fear with the said storm, returned home for the most part spoiled and stripped out of all that ever they had, and therefore cursed not only the owtrageous heinousness of the fact, but also the whole realm of France among their parents and kinsfolk. Othersomme which had served the Admiral in the former wars, commended his virtue everywhere among the princes of Germany. For (which is thought too be the hardest thing in Martial affairs) he excelled not only in counsel, but also in prowess, whereas commonly wisdom breedeth fearfulness, and courage breedeth rashness. Furthermore, not a few which were familiarly acquainted with the Admiral's life and conversation at home in his own house, going abroad among princes, commended him with singular praises for his innocency, staidness, mildness, and wonderful zelowsenesse in following the religion: which thing might be chiefly perceived by the inward conversation of his life at home, whereof I will add somewhat here, which I know for certainty, partly by the record of other men, and partly by mine own sight and beholding. At his first rising in the mornings, (which was meetly early adays) he would cast his nightgown about him, and kneeling down upon his knees, take upon him too be as the mouth of his whole company in praying and calling upon God. And so the residue kneeled all down after his example, and Prayer was made in the same manner that is used commonly in the French Churches. After the end of prayer, look what time was between that and the Sermon time, he bestowed it everywhit, either in hearing of the delegates of the Churches that were sent unto him, or in the dispatching of other public affairs. For afterward, each other day there was a sermon at warning given, and some certain Psalm of David was sung. When the Sermon was done, he returned too his business, until dinner time. Which being ready, all his household, saving a few that were occupied about dressing of the meat, came together into the hall where the table was covered, and there (if there had been no sermon,) a Psalm of David's was sung in his presence standing at the table, with his wife standing by his side, and the Table was blessed with ordinary grace. Which kind of order he was wont too keep every day without fail, not only at home & in time of peace, but also even in the Camp. Whereof not only innumerable Frenchmen, but also a great number of Almain Knights, Captains, and officers, which were oftentimes bidden too his table, can be witnesses. As soon as the table was taken away, by-and-by the Admiral rose up, and standing on his feet with his wife likewise by him, and the rest of the company that sat with him at his table, did either himself pronounce the prayer of thanksgiving unto God, or cause it too be done by the preacher. And at Supper times, not only the same thing was done both in prayer & in singing of the Psalms: but also forasmuch as he saw it would be harder for him too get all his folk together too nightprayer at bedtime, because that that time was uncertain by reason of sundry businesses which they had too do: he commanded them too be all with him immediately after supper, and caused the nightprayers to be said as soon as the Psalm was ended. Through the which example, it cannot be said how many of the French Nobility took up the same order in their houses: the rather for that the Admiral warned them, that if the master of a house intended to maintain godliness aright, it was not enough for him too frequent sermons, and too lead a godly and holy life to himself: unless he did also bring his household and acquaintance too the same trade of life by his example. Certain it is that his godly and holy conversation was had in so great admiration even among them that were of the Catholic side: that if it had not been for fear of the horrible persecution & butchery that followed afterward: the greatest part of France had turned too the same religion and reformation of manners. When the time of the Lords supper was at hand, he used too call his household servants and retainers about him, and too tell them that he was too yield account unto God, not only of his own life, but also of their ordinary dealings. If any jar were fallen among them, he appeazed it by setting them at one. If any man seemed not altogether so forward in understanding and reverencing that great mystery as he ought too be: him did he cause to be instructed more diligently in religion. If any seemed over stubborn, he would tell them openly that he had liefer to dwell at home alone, than to keep a rout of lewd lozel's. Again, he thought the institution of schools, and the well training up of young children, to be the singular benefit of God. This he termed the seedleape of the Church, and the Nursery of godliness. Affirming that the want of learning had cast a mist, not only upon the Common weal, but also upon Religion: and that the tyranny of the bishop of Rome had been bred and borne in that dungeon, who had reigned over the blind and ignorant wretches, as father Dis is reported among the poets too have reigned over night and darkness. And therefore he founded a school in a pleasant & wholesome place hard by the Shattilion house, and when he had finished the building of it, at his great cost he maintained many children and young men there, and many learned Hebricians, Grecians, and latinists too read those languages to them. Moreover, of his singular staidness this was one proof: that whereas he was endowed with great offices of honour, and could have sought his own commodity, and gleaned riches too himself after the example of other Courtiers: yet did he not purchase one Acre of ground, nor increase his father's inheritance with one cottage. And although he played the good husband in using and spending of his own goods: yet notwithstanding when any Princes, noblemen, gentlemen, or men of any degree came unto him, (as they came unto him from all parts of France about the public affairs of the Realm:) look whatsoever monny he had gotten before by his sparing, he spent it liberally upon them in hospitality. By means whereof it is certain, that he left his heirs or successors charged with the debt, of not so little as forty thousand pounds, besides the yearly loan of six thousand pounds, which he paid too his creditors for interest. And I must not here let pass in silence, the incredible unity of mind, love, and concord, that was between the three brethren Shattilions, which was so great, that there seemed too be but one mind made of all the three.  
The Admiral lived three and fifty years, six months, and eight days. He was of stature meetly tall, of colour ruddy, of all his members well proportioned and agreeable, of countenance stable and cheerful, of voice gentle and sweet, howbeit of speech somewhat slow and soft: of health meetly good, of gesture and gate comely, specially when he was at home in his gown, walking with his wife or his friends: a small drinker of wine even by nature, measurable in meat and sleep, for commonly he rested not above seven hours. And since the time of the last pacification, he suffered no day to pass, wherein he entered not into his daybooke with his own hand, before he laid him down too sleep, the things that seemed worth the noting in the former civil wars. Which being found after his death, and brought too the king's counsel, purchased him great commendation for his quiet and uncombered mind, even among such as hated him most. Besides this, when the war was once ended, and he had withdrawn himself too Rochel, as is said afore: he let no day pass without reading one of Caluins' Sermons upon the story of job both morning and evening: which story he termed oftentimes the comfort of his soul, and his necessary medicine at all assays in all his adversities. By his first wife he had five children, of whom he left alive, his eldest daughter Joys married (as is said heretofore) unto Mounsyre Telignie, who was murdered in the same furiows slaughter, the self-same night that his father in law was: and also Francis Odette and Charles, of whom the two eldest were conveyed speedily from the butcherly slaughter, and the third which was but seven year old and eight moons, whom his father loved most entirely for his pleasant conceytednesse, being taken by the adversaries, was taught too bear Christ's cross even from the prime of his childhood. The Admiral left his later wife with child of a daughter, whereof she was delivered a four moons after, and then returning home into the borders of Savoy, was committed too ward within few moons after, by the commandment of Philibert the Prince of that Country.  
FINIS.  
Laus & Honorsoli Deo, & filio eius jesu Christo.