AN EDICT OR ORDNANCE OF THE FRENCH King, containing a Prohibition and Interdiction of all preaching and assembling, and exercise of any other Religion, then of the Catholic, the Apostolic, and the Roman Religion.  
ITEM AN OTHER EDICT OE THE SAME KING, Removing all Protestants from bearing any Office under the King, in the Realm of France.  
Newly translated out of French into English.  
LOVANII, Apud joannem Foulerum, Anno 1568.   

An Edict, or ORDNANCE of the French King, containing a Prohibition and Interdiction of all preaching, assembling, and exercise of any other Religion then of the Catholic, the Apostolic and the Roman Religion.  
CHARLES by the grace of God King of France to all for the time being and for the time to come. It is well known to all men, that the deceased Kings of most worthy memory our Father, and Grandfather (whose souls God pardon) bearing themselves as most Christian Princes and defenders of the holy Church, have endeavoured and travailed by Edicts and Ordonances, and by ways of justice, to preserve the unity thereof, and to repress the division of Religion in their time, which had gotten into this realm by preachings, by secret practices and assemblies, and by casting abroad of inhibited books. It is well known also, that after the lamentable death of our said Lord and Father certain of the nobility provoked thereto by the ministers of the new opinion, have discontented and separated themselves, not for any zeal of any Religion one or other, but through ambition and desire to have in their hands the government of this said realm under the deceased our most dear and most beloved Lord and elder brother King Francis second of that name, notwithstanding that he was a married man and of full years by the laws of the said realm, and one that had the authority, the judgement and the meaning to govern and to command rightly with the most prudent counsel of our most excellent Lady and mother the Queen, and of other great and worthy personages, which had always been near about the said deceased King our Father, and were continued by our said deceased brother, as one that minded in all points to follow his Father's steps: the which he hath well declared by his deeds during the time of his reign, who had also settled his said realm in such peace and quiet as he found it in at his coming to the Crown, if it had pleased God to have lent him longer life, for so much as his estate had been molested and disquieted by the disagreement of certain of the nobility, who daring not openly to show themselves, stirred up by the help of the said ministers, the tumult of Amboys, under the colour of presenting a certain request with a confession of their faith to the said King: who though he knew well the very fountain and first Authors of that mischief, yet through his singular and natural clemency following the example of our heavenly Father, and hoping by his grace to do more good by way of pity, then by rigour of justice, gave (by plain Edict made at Amboys in the month of March in the year 1559) a general Pardon to all such his deceived and seduced subjects in the faith, as would come home▪ again, and furthermore by an other Edict made at Romorantin in the moveth of May following, he left those which would not come home again, to the Ecclesiastical censure only (which reacheth not so far as to blood) in case that they troubled not the common quiet. All this notwithstanding, the said King was deceived of his expectation through the said secret practices of the said Noble men, obstinate in their purposes: and assaying by force of Arms, to molest this said Realm, how be it under pretence of Religion. Whereof the said King being fully advertised, remaining then at Fontaine-bleau, was constrained to remove to Orlians with force of Arms also, for to set things there in good order. Who also for the same purpose had commanded a meeting of the general Estates, at which time and place it pleased God to call him to his mercy, giving into our hands the Kingdom, we being then of age between ten and eleven years, less able to govern this said puissant Realm.  
Moreover the chief succour which God had left unto us in our affairs, which was the wise and prudent government of our most excellent Lady and Mother, 〈◊〉 was exceedingly letted and disappointed through the contempt of our minorititie, which certain of the Nobility (the chiefest next after our most dear and most well-beloved brethren) had conceived, and through parts taking and contradictions which they with their Adherents, stirred against our said most excellent Lady and Mother, who also to make their part stronger took upon them the protection of the said new opinion, which by their support and favour was greatly augmented.  
For remedy whereof, at our returning from our Anointing and Coronation, we came to the suburbs of S. German in the fields nigh to Paris, and we caused to be assembled in our Parliament the Princes and those of our privy counsel, with all the courts of the same parliament in the months of june and julie of the year 1561. At what time by their advise at S. Germans in Say we made the Edict of the said month of july in the said year, by the which Edict, we forebad all other exercise of Religion, than such as was according to the received custom and manner observed in the Catholic Church, from and sense the time of the Christian faith received by the Kings of France our Predecessors, and by the Bishops and Prelates, Persons and vicars, and their Deputies. This the said protectors of the said new opinion perceiving, and seeing that their ambitious enterprise was by this Edict utterly disappointed, would not suffer it to take place: but caused through our whole Realm, those of the said new opinion, to rise up and to stop the execution thereof. And then by reason of such troubles, which they themselves had stirred, and caused to be stirred in diverse places, they would make men believe, that it was impossible, to execute the said edict, and therefore they called upon an other assembly of a certain number of Presidents and Counsellors of all the high Counrtes of this said Realm, that this might be a matter of greater authority. Although yet the same assembly was less by two parts of the three, than the other, which was made in our said Parliament of Paris, being of the two ordinary companies. Beside that in their assembly, were such men as they chose themselves, they being the stronger part of our privy Counsel, having also placed therein a greater number of the said new opinion then of the Catholics, to bring so at length their matter about, which they did in deed, obtaining a toleraton for the exercise of both Religions by our Edict, made only by way of provision, the seventeenth of januarie, in the said year, 1561. The which edict our said most excellent Lady and Mother, being than not able to withstand, was forced against her opinion, to let pass: she being always otherwise most Christian. In like manner also, were forced our most dear and best beloved Cousin, the Cardinal of Bourbon, with our most dear and well-beloved Cousins also the Cardinal of Tournon, the Duke of Montmorency, Constable, and the marshal of S. Andre: who were the principal and most ancient Counsellors, and Officers of our Crown, that the deceased Kings, our said Lords, our Father, and Brother, had left unto us. Who also among other occasions, which moved them to the toleration above said, declared to our said most excellent Lady and Mother, that this was yet the less mischief, that then could be suffered: Provided always, that this tolerated exercise of the said new opinion, should not in any wise enter into any town. And that also it was to be hoped, that we should be able to redress this mischief, at what time we should come to our full years, authority, and power: all which should make our subjects more obedient unto us. Upon the which hope our said most excellent Lady and Mother most greedily attending, disposed herself to go forward with all diligence possible, in the bringing up of us, and of our most dear and best beloved brethren, and of our most dear and best beloved Sister, in the true Religion of the Catholic, Apostolic, and Roman Church: which the most Christian Kings our Predecessors, have kept and maintained, almost these eleven hundred years: whereof we and our subjects, are greatly bound and beholden unto her. And though that by the said edict of januarie, those of the new opinion, had good cause to quiet and content themselves, if some other ambition and practice had not rather pricked them, than the quieting of their consciences, as do sufficiently witness unto us their behaviours, going ordinarily to their preachings and assemblies, with arms and weapons: yet notwithstanding they not contenting themselves with the said licence and toleration, strait after our Edict published, declared most amply and manifestly to the whole world, their wicked intention and purpose, arming themselves upon their own private Authority against us. Taking up our towns: bringing strangers into our said Realm, and doing all Acts of hostility and open enmity, even so far, that they gave us a Battle under the town of Dreus. In the which God gave us the victory, having compassion of his people subjecteth unto us, and that we might once again overcome by Clemency our rebellious Subjects, and reduce them under our obedience.  
Again hoping that in time, the goodness of God, by the means of our ripe years, would bring them also under the obedience of his Church, with continuance of the common quiet, we granted unto them being yet in our Minority, the Edict of Pacification made at Amboyse, the nineteen. of March, in the year. 1562. In the which we permitted unto them the exercise of their Religion, such as is there more amply contained. And though that afterward, to take away from them all manner of fear, mistrust, or surmise that possibly might be conceived, we did publish even by their own advise and after their own meaning, divers declarations, Rules, and Ordonances, all tending to a common quiet, and reuniting of all our subjects, yet notwithstanding they for their part have daily and licentiously infringed and violated our said declarations, Rules, and Ordonances. Yea though that by the same Declarations, Rules and ordonances, our said edict (which yet was never other then by way of provision only, and by us at all times revocable) was the better maintained, only to avoid tumults, and calamities ensuing thereupon, not giving them thereby so much as the least occasion in the world to take weapon and arms again: as they did notwithstanding at Michaelmas last, and set upon us in the way between Meaus and Paris, we being then accompanied with our said most Excellent Lady and Mother, and our said most dear, and best beloved brethren, and Sister. Pretending afterward, that they meant the same time to present us a Supplication for the maintenance of their Religion. And yet did they notwithstanding, without intermission continue open war against us, so far, that they besieged us in our Head City of Paris: that they burned the mills to famish us, that they took up many of our Cities, that they brought in strangers once again into our Realm, and forced us at last to give them battle even under the gates of Paris, to raise the siege which they had laid against us, briefly using all ways and means, of open enmity and hostility.  
All this notwithstanding, we desiring to spare the blood of our Nobility, and of other our subjects, hoping still to win them by Clemency and gentleness, and having great pity upon the poor people spoiled and devoured by both Armies, being required of them to have a pacification made by our letters patents, to be given at Paris the twenty-three. of March last, we granted to them the self same former Edict of pacification made the nineteen. of March in the year. 1562. upon promise made to us, that they for their part should entirely and fully observe it and keep it, and trouble no more our said Realm. The which promise they breaking (though we in the mean failed not to keep and observe the said Edict to the uttermost) they breaking, I say, their promise made unto us, for so much as they would not render up unto us, our towns of Rochel, of Montaubam, of Castres', and of diverse other, as well in Languedoc, as in the dolphin, which they promised to do, for so much as also in certain places of our said Realm, they have caused meetings in arms, which have murdered many of our Catholic subjects, and have farther practised with strangers, pretending to them that certain of their Religion have been killed by the Catholics sense the time of the Edict of pacification, of which matters upon their complaint, we have given forth commission to take information, and to do justice upon such trespasses, they (as I say) these many ways breaking their promise, have within five months after their promise made, taken weapon again, and arms against us. They have retired again to the said Rochel, and the Country there about, making there open war.  
Wherein, we seeing them so oft and so many times to abuse our Clemency and favour, that we can no more doubt of their wicked and damnable enterprise, which is to establish, and to set up in this said Realm some other sovereignty and Supreme Government, to the overthrowing of ours, ordained and set up by God, and by such practices to pluck from us our good subjects, by the means of the permission and toleration of the said exercise of their Religion, and of the assemblies which they make under colour of their preachings and communions, at the which they make gatherings of money, billing of men, oaths, confederacies, conspiracies, practices, and devices: and by Arms as well within as without our said Realm, they trouble it and disquiet it: yea and having their weapons in their hands, they deal with us as fellows and companions, not as obedient subjects, as they declare themselves well, both by word and by writings: yea and do the deeds of very mortal enemies: such as it is not possible for us to quiet and to stay, but do increase daily more and more, utterly to overthrow, if they were able, our Religion and Estate, that they might thereby remain the only Lords and masters, by means of the said exercise permitted unto them during our Minorite, and somewhat after continued, for the love of peace and quiet: and to avoid thereby a worse inconvenience, directly against our own will and mind: we have at all times fast settled in our heart the true Religion, as most Christian Kings ought to have: and who be fully resolved to live and die therein: acknowledging herein the Grace, that God by his infinite goodness hath given us, as to have preserved our said Religion and Estate, from the time of our first coming to the Crown hitherto, against so mighty practices to the contrary, and to have given us now the Age, the wit, and the judgement sufficient to govern ourselves, and all that is committed unto us: As also to have given us for our aid and comfort our most dear and best beloved Brother the Duke of Anjow, a man also as we are, our Lieutenant General, most entirely affectioned to our Person, and Service, knit and united in Religion with us, as is also our other most dearly beloved Brother the Duke of alenson.  
For these Causes▪ and other great and weighty Considerations moving us hereunto, having had hereupon the advise of our most Excellent Lady and Mother, of our said most dear and best beloved Brethren, of other Princes of our Blood, and of other men of Honour, the Lords and the Honourable of our Privy Council, we have by edict and ordonance perpetual and irrevocable, inhibited and forbidden, we do inhibit and forbid upon pain of confiscation of body and goods, to all persons, of whatsoever dignity, condition, or quality so ever they be, within our said Realm, and Land of our obedience, all manner exercise of any Religion, then only of the Catholic, and Roman, the which we hold and maintain, and the Kings our Predecessors have holden and maintained. And to this effect we ordain, that all Ministers of the said Religion pretended reformed, be bound within xv. days after the publication of these presents, to avoid and depart our said Realm, and Land of our obedience, upon the pain above said.  
This not withstanding, we mean not, ne will not, that those of the said Religion pretended reformed, be by any means examined upon their consciences, so that they refrain from the exercise of all other Religion, then of the said Catholic and Roman: hoping that hereafter by the inspiration of God, and by the great diligence which we purpose to use, to see that all Bishops and Pastors of the Church of our said Realm do their endeavour and duty also, hoping, I say, that our said subjects of the said pretended Religion, will return and join again with us, and with other our subjects, in the unity of the holy Catholic Church. Farther to all such our said subjects as obeying to this our present Edict, will lay down their weapon, will break up their assemblies, and will retire home again, living as good and loyal subjects ought to do, within twenty days after the publication of these presents, to all such we have given a general Pardon, and Remission of all that hath been by them committed, as well against our Person, our said moste honourable Lady and Mother, our said most dearly beloved brethren, as against any other persons, in respect of these present troubles, and of the former, or of their Religion, until the day of this present Edict: in such sort, that in this respect, they need not to take any other pardon or special remission from us, so that they, within the said time, do render and restore unto us, our Towns and Places, by such as do hold them, or have their power in them.  
All the which persons obeying unto us, we take and receive into our safeguard and protection, in like sort, as our other subjects. Forbidding moste expressly all our said subjects, to reproach them with any matter that is past: forbidding also all our judges and Officers to trouble them, or to molest them, either in their persons, or in their goods. We will also and ordain, that all private quarrels, or particular grudges, be they between high or low, commonalties or Cities, or any other persons of what quality so ever they be, proceeding of the said troubles of Religion, be quenched and extinguished, without any more word speaking thereof, or any more search made after them, upon pain to be punished as guilty of treason, and as distourbers of the common quiet. forbidding moreover to all our subjects, that they provoke not, nor reproach not one an other, either by word or by deed. We declare also, that the said twenty days being passed, we will proceed against the obstinate, and disobedient, against all their adherentes and complices, by all ways and manners dew and permitted of God in such case, without any more showing of favour for ever, and without exception of any.  
We give also in commandment by these presents to our beloved and trusty, such as hold our Courts of Parliament, bailies, Stewards, Preuosts, or their Lieutenants, and to all other our justicers and officers, and to every one of them, as it shall to each one appertain, that our present Edict, Ordnance, will, and Intention, they cause to be read, published, and enregistered, that they entertain it, keep it, and observe it, and cause it to be entertained, kept and observed, inviolably and without breach. And to have this done and suffered, that they constrain, and cause to be constrained, all, to whom it shall appertain, and all which for this purpose they shall cause to be constrained: And to proceed most expressly all our said subjects, to reproach them with any matter that is past: forbidding also all our judges and Officers to trouble them, or to molest them, either in their persons, or in their goods. We will also and ordain, that all private quarrels, or particular grudges, be they between high or low, commonalties or Cities, or any other persons of what quality so ever they be, proceeding of the said troubles of Religion, be quenched and extinguished, without any more word speaking thereof, or any more search made after them, upon pain to be punished as guilty of treason, and as distourbers of the common quiet. forbidding moreover to all our subjects, that they provoke not, nor reproach not one an other, either by word or by deed. We declare also, that the said twenty days being passed, we will proceed against the obstinate, and disobedient, against all their adherentes and complices, by all ways and manners dew and permitted of God in such case, without any more showing of favour for ever, and without exception of any.  
We give also in commandment by these presents to our beloved and trusty, such as hold our Courts of Parliament, bailies, Stewards, Preuosts, or their Lieutenants, and to all other our justicers and officers, and to every one of them, as it shall to each one appertain, that our present Edict, Ordnance, will, and Intention, they cause to be read, published, and enregistered, that they entertain it, keep it, and observe it, and cause it to be entertained, kept and observed, inviolably and without breach. And to have this done and suffered, that they constrain, and cause to be constrained, all, to whom it shall appertain, and all which for this purpose they shall cause to be constrained: And to proceed against the transgressors, by the pains above said.  
We command also, that our said bailies, Stewars, Prevostes, and other our Officers, do advertise us, and put us to knowledge, within a month after the publishing of these presents, of their endeavour and diligence that they have used, for the execution and observation of the same. For such is our pleasure. All manner of Edicts, Ordonances, commandments, or Inhibitions to the contrary, notwithstanding. All the which, in regard of the contents in these presents, not yet in other matters prejudicating unto them, we have abrogated, and do abrogate.  
In witness hereof we have signed these presents with our own hand, and have caused to be put thereunto our Seal.  
Given at S. Maur de Fosses, in the month of Septembre, in the year of grace. 1568.  
And of our Reign, the eight.  
Signed, CHARLES.  
And upon the fold, By the King, the Queen his Mother, my Lords, the Duke of Anjou, and of alenson, brothers of the said King. My Lords the Cardinals, of Bourbon, of Lorraine, and of Guise. The Dukes of Nemours, of Longueville, and of Aumale. The Mareshals of Dampuille and of Cosse. The Duke of Vzez. The Lord of Moruillier. The archbishop of Sans, the Bishops of Anxerre, and of Lymoges, Al respectively Counsellors in the privy Counsel of the said King. The Lords of Lansac and of Carnavallet, present.  
Signed, DE L'AVBESPINE.  
And underneath, Visa. And sealed in green wax, upon laces of silk read and green.  
Read, published and enregistered, the kings Attorney General hearing, requiring, and consenting, at Paris in Parliament, the xxviij. day of Septembre, in the year. 1568.  
Thus signed. Du Tillet.   

An Edict, or ORDNANCE of the French King, containing a Declaration, that he will not from hence forward, use for his Officers, either in matters of judgement, or in the Courts of his receipt, such as are of the new pretended Religion.  
CHARLES by the grace of God, King of France, to all those that shall see these present Letters, greeting. The evil behaviour, which we have heretofore known and perceived in many of our Officers, as well in matters of judgement, as in the Courts of our receipt, which make profession of the new pretended Religion, shewing themselves so blind in their affections, and so little remembering their duty towards us, that some of them, instead of well and truly discharging their Offices, have found the means to take up certain of our Cities, and to pluck them from our Obedience: Other have seized upon our Revenues, and with the same have relieved, succoured, and abetted such as took Arms against us, to the great hindrance, damage, and prejudice of our affairs: giveth us fair warning in this time of troubles, renewed yet again by those which make profession of the new pretended Religion, taking Arms against us, and doing all acts of hostility and enmity against the Catholics, our good and loyal subjects, to take advise, that some good order may be set therein, for the preservation of our said good and loyal subjects, who do verily persuade themselves, that they shall never obtain any dew and lawful administration of justice, at the hands of those of the new pretended Religion. And as little hope have they, that our Revenues by them to be paid, will be at any time by them faithfully bestowed and employed to our Service and use. Who also for this cause desire, that some provision be made accordingly, and that nothing beforgotten, which may seem to the preservation and maintenance of our Estate in all surety and safety.  
We give therefore to understand, that we, by the advise and deliberation of the Queen, our most excellent Lady and Mother, of our most dearly beloved Brother, the Duke of Anjou, and of Bourbonnoys, and our Lieutenant General, representing our person, throughout our whole Realm, Land, and Subjects, of the Princes of our blood, and other Princes, the honourable and chief Personages of our Privy Counsel, have declared, and do declare by these presents, that we will not use hereafter, the service of such our said Officers, of the said new Religion, whether they be of our Courts of Parliament, of our Exchequer, of our Grand Council, Treasurers of France, and Generals of our Revenues, Masters of our Mints, Bailies, Stewards, Prevostes, or their Lieutenants, and other Officers whatsoever, being of the said new Religion, as well in matters of judgement, and Courts of our receipt, as in any other sort. Discharging them for this intent, as moreover we do discharge them, of those Estates and Offices to be hereafter by us disposed, and to be bestowed upon such Catholic persons, sufficient and capable, as shall to us seem good.  
Notwithstanding for so much as, amongst these our Officers, of the said Religion, some there are, which are in Arms, in company of them, which have a fresh taken Arms against us, which retain unto them, assist them, help them, and abbette them with their counsel, relief and possessions: and other some there are, which have stayed and do stay themselves quietly under the toleration of our Edicts, of whom it is reason a difference be made, and that they be not dealt withal, in like manner as the other▪ We will and ordain, that such our Officers of the said Religion, which have not borne Arms with the said Rebels, neither have no manner of dealing or intelligence with them, that within. xx. days of the publication of these presents, they send unto us their Proxes, to give up into our hands their said Estates and Offices. In which rooms we will place Catholic persons, sufficient and capable thereof, as hath been said. And touching such paiementes of money as shall fall out, by composition made for those Offices, we shall cause a rent to be assigned unto them, upon the town house of our good City and town of Paris, which they and their heirs shall plainly and peaceably enjoy.  
We give also in commandment, to our beloved and trusty of our Courts of Parlements, of our Exchekers, of the Court of aids, bailies, Stewards, Preuosts, or their Lieutenants, and to all other our justicers, officers and subjects, that our present declaration, pleasure, Intention, and that is here above contained, they cause to be read, published, and enregistered, maintained, kept, and observed inviolably, without contradiction, or suffering of any Contradiction. Ceasing, and causing to be ceased, all troubles and lets to the contrary. For such is our Pleasure.  
In witness whereof we have signed these presents, with our own hand, and have caused our Seal to be put thereto.  
Given at S. Maur des Fossez: the xxv. day of September. In the year of Grace. 1568. And of our reign the eight.  
Signed, CHARLES.  
And upon the fold: By the KING, being in his Counsel: Fizes And upon the side, Visa.  
And sealed with green wax, in laces of silk red and green.  
Read, published and enregistered, the kings Attorney General hearing, requiring and consenting, at Paris in Parliament, the xxviij. of Septembre. In the year. 1568.  
Thus signed. Du Tillet.  
Viri qui contenta horum Edictorum legerunt & approbarunt sunt Anglici Idiomatis & sacrae Theologiae peritissimi, quibus meritò credendum esse judico, & proinde haec tutò & securè imprimi posse. 29. Octob.  
Cunerus Petri, Pastor S. Petri Lovanij. Anno. 1568.   


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