THE Epitome OF All the Lives oF The French King ˢ From PHARAMONT the first to the now Reg: ning Lewis the 13 Contaynening all there Chiefest actions  
LONDON Printed by I. Okes, and Are to be sold by I Becket at the Inner Templegate   engraved title page   

An Epitome OF All the Lives of the Kings of France.  
From PHARAMONT the first, to the now most Christian King LEWIS the thirteenth.  
With a Relation of the Famous Battles of the two Kings of England, who were the first victorious Princes that Conquered France.  
Translated out of the French Copy by R. B. Esq.  
LONDON: Printed by I. Okes, and are to be sold by james Becket, at his shop within the Inner Temple Gate 1639.   

To the Generous Reader, the Translator presents his Labours, etc.  
Courteous Reader,  
HIstory hath been from all Antiquity as Noble as Notable, and as full of Pleasure as Profit. Poetry I must confess to be the elder Sister of the two, and the first reducer of Mankind to Humanity and Civility: But what the Elder hath delivered unto us Fabulously, the other hath done faithfully.  
Great is the Utility which redounds to all men by History (of what function or quality soever:) First, to Princes, it is a model, by which to pattern their Lives and Actions: And by reading the Heroical deeds of others, to make their precedents, as well by imitating their Virtues, as avoiding their Vices. To Statesmen how to establish politic Laws, and gravely to manage the Affairs of a flourishing Commonweal. It instructs Sovereign's, how to govern with Justice, mixed with Lenity, and Subjects to obey with duty, tempered with loyalty.  
Historiographers have in all Times and Ages, and amongst all Nations and Languages been held in great reputation and reverence. Amongst the Hebrews Philo-Judeus, and Josephus Bengorion, who flourished in the time of Hierusalems' last subversion, and depopulation, etc. Amongst the Grecians Herodotus, Thucydides, etc. Amongst the Romans or Latins, Titus Livius, Cornelius Tacitus, Sallust, justine, etc. Amongst the French, Philip Comines: The Author of the French Inventory, the Composer of this Epitome of Chronicle, etc. Of the Scotch, Hector Boetius, Georgius Buconanus, etc. And of our English (to omit many) Holynshed, Fabian, Speed, Mr. Samuel Daniel, etc.  
But concerning the present Argument now in agitation, I have read of one Spintherus Tarentinus, a man (for his known Wisdom) by the unanimous voice of Greece, adding an Eight to the Seven Sages, who when he was to deliver his Opinion of Epaminondas, prime Captain of absolute power, and command without limit, after he had studied so honour him with his best Expression, he uttered of him only these few Words: He was a man who knew much, and spoke little. The like I may say of the Author of this present Work, who sixty four, with their Conditions, Natures, chiefest Acts, and Deaths, as also of the several places of their Jnterment, with many of their acute and witty sayings: all which, noble and Courteous Reader, I present unto thee, with a Table of all the King's names at the latter end of the Book: and if thou pleasest to accept of my endeavours, and but cast a benign smile and a gentle censure, I shall take it a double courtesy, and labour to amend what hath been done amiss. But least in commending the Brevity used in his Discourse, I might (on the contrary) err in the prolixity of my Epistle, I ●hi● (though abruptly) as commit thee, so commend thee to thy gentle Interpretation▪  
Thine, R. B.   

An Epitome of all the lives of the Kings of France, from Pharamont their first, to the now Reigning Lewis the 13.  

Pharamont the first King of France. Anno 429.  depiction of Pharamond  
THE French Nation inhabiting the lower Germany long time before the Reign of the Valentinians, Emperors of Rome, whether they were Originaries there; or Foreigners, they according to the report of Aymoynus, Ado, and other Historians, had for an interval of time ceased to be governed by Kings, being contented to be ruled by Dukes, until such time that they had a desire to return to their manner and custom, being incited thereto by the example of other Nations; in so much that upon a mature deliberation, they concluded their Election upon Pharamont for their King, by reason that over and above the virtues resplendent in him, he was the last Son of their latest Duke Marcomire, who was Duke of Franconia, or East France, whom Stilico had confined as an Exulant in Tuscany, from the year of our Lord 395.  
The time of his Election hath not been precisely recorded by any Historians; the Modern Authors also agree not upon the certainty and number of the years of his Reign: For some Germane Chronicles account but 7, others 9, Onuphrius 14, but almost all the French Annalists following Sigebert, agree upon 10. or 12. years, which they begin at the year of Grace, 419, or 420.  
The Frenchmen then estated him in the Castle of Dispargun, which was, according to Gregory, in Tongry or Turingia, on that side the Rhine, where he made his residence, or rather in Germany, without an intent of enlarging his command any farther, studying only to institute and found the Kingdom with good policy, and the Laws called Ripuary and Salic, by reason the French inhabiting for the most part upon the River of Sals, (which disgorgeth itself into the Mein, a great and famous River of Germany) were called Salians, and their principal City Selgestadt, which peradventure might seem to derive its nomination from Salagast, who was a chief Founder thereof. Pharamont lastly coming to the period of his life, left the succession to his Son Clodion, Anno Domini 430. His Character of life is drawn in these Lineaments; he made good Laws, and conformed the French to the obedience of civil government; revived the Salic Laws, and was the Founder of the French Monarchy: his Name Waramond or Pharamont, imported a true mouth, Truth being a noble virtue in a Prince. The Church was then happy in those Lights of Religion, Jerome, chrysostom, Ambrose, and Augustine, shining through the Clouds of Oppression, wherewith those times were darkened and obscured: And the Papacy was then but weak in power, afterward growing strong by the Emperor's absence, warring against the Barbar●ans, and by succouring afflicted Christians.   

Cloion, or Clodion, the second King of France, Anno 432.  depiction of Cloion  
CLoion, or Clodion, according to Sidonius, Apollinaris, and Gregory of Tours, succeeded his Father Pharamont in the Regal estate in the year 432. of our Redemption. He was surnamed the Hairy, because he commanded the French men to wear long hair in token of Liberty, to the end they might be known and distinguished from Romans: or (as some Modern Writers will have it) to this end, that none should wear long hair, but those of the Royal blood. In the beginning of his Reign, perceiving the Romans to be employed altogether against the Vandals in Africa, and a notable dissension between Aetius and Boniface, went from his Castle of Difpargun●, and fastened upon Cambray, and all that Country which lies between the Rivers of Escaut and the Somme, where to this day are the Cities of Monts, Valenciennes, Cambray, and the Forest heretofore nominated 
* galenist in ●nge.  Carbonaire. Afterwards having made a great discomfiture of the Romans, who made head against him, he came as fare as the Bourough of St. Helen's, which is in the Land of Artois. He also subjugated those of Thuringia, the Saxons, and other populations of Almain, as Funecius is of opinion. Others also add, that the City of Mayence was by him taken in: The Hunnibalt of Trithemius holds, that he divided his Kingdom into two parts, nominating that upon the Coast of the Rhine Austrasie, and the part upon the West, Neustria or Westria.  
The Chronicles of Flanders say, that he led his Army against those of Therovenne, otherwise called Morinians, whom he made subjects: they perceiving their Auxiliars the Cinabres and Ruthenians, and their Captain General Gondmar overthrown, who had a Daughter whom this Clodion caused to be married to a Nephew of his who was called Flandebert, from whom they will have the Country of Flanders to derive its first Nomination, although it is more evident that it was not so called before the time of Charlemaigne. He deceased in the 20. year of his Reign, Anno Domini 450, according to Ado and Aymoinus, leaving (as Jaques Meier and Richard of Wassebourgh do relate) Ranchaine, or Ranachaire and Alberic (alias) Auberon, his sons. Wearing of long hair (as was said) was ordained by this King to be the Ornament of Princes, whereby Clodamire slain in Battle, was known from the vulgar Soldiers, and shaving off the Hair was a Ceremony used at degrading of Kings; and Queen Clotilde suffered her Son's Heads to be cut off, rather than their Hair, preferring honour to life, and accounting the disgrace which her Children should receive by shaving, making them incapable of the Royal dignity, worse than death; for Life, after the decease of honour, is but a continual lingering death. Hippone was now besieged by Genserick, King of the Vandals.  
Saint Augustine being 76. years old, having seen and suffered in the miseries of the Church, then generally afflicted by the Barbarians, wearied with being a Spectator of those Tragedies, withdrew to Heaven, and died, leaving the Christian World a mourner for his departure.   

Merovaeus, the third King of France. Anno Domini 450.  depiction of Merovaeus,  
MErovaeus, More of the Palace of Clodion (according to Jaques Meier and Richard of Wassebourgh, the Author's aforesaid, which Merovaeus nevertheless the Abbot of Vrsperg thinks, and other French Historians are of opinion to have been a Bastard-sonne, or a near Kinsman of Clodion, was by the reason of his valour and experience in War, chosen King of the French, Anno Domini 450. secluding the Sons of Clodion from the inheritance of the Kingdom. Many are of opinion that he was the first that took upon him to March boldly all over the Countries of the Gauls, because by force of Arms he opened the way into those parts, where none of his predecessors had had any peaceable habitation or abode. And for this cause he being acknowledged by the Ancient French to be the first King to have passed so fare, the Gauls or Frenchmen were called Merovinians. Others are of opinion that it was, for that he was the first of the Line that reigned over the French until Pepin, it being that the sons of Clodion were supplanted, who betook themselves for assistance to their Mother in the Kingdom of Thuringia: where being grown to age, by the aid of other Nations recovered Almany, Cambresis, Tournay, Henault, and Couloine, of which parts they termed themselves Kings, and maintained it against the Merovinians, until the time of Glovis.  
In the mean time Attilla, King of the Huns, having spoiled a great part of Europe, laboured to join with the Visigoths and French to ruin the Romans, which was a cause that Aetius a Roman Gentleman, who had the command of all the Roman forces of the West, had this War in charge, who gave unto Merovaeus the right wing of the Battle against Attila who lost the field: This Battle was fought in the Catalaunicke Plain, which some esteem to have been that at Chaalons in Champagne, others at Solongne by Orleans, who seem better of opinion than those who would have it near Tholouse: because it is certain that Attilae never penetrated so fare into the Country of the Visigoths, where the Shock was so bloody and cruel, that there remained one hundred and fourscore thousand men slain in the place. Merovaeus yielded to Fate in the tenth year of his Reign, according to Sigebert and other Historians, Anno Domini 459.  
This King was fortunate in his Wars, for after the Death of Aetia, executed by the Emperor Valentinians command, being so faithful a servant, that it was said that the Emperor had cut off his right hand with his left: by valour, potency, and opportunity he advanced the Monarchy of France, growing more exact and complete in strength, he being the third Stone in that Royal building called Gaul, which new-begun Estate was raised to a greater perfection by many other Royal Builders, descended from his Race, and called Merovingieres, in memory of this Merovee, who, as Titus Vespasian said, Non perdidi diem, so he accounted that Day lost wherein he did no good.  
This worthy King was much lamented of all men, they gave him the solemn rites at his funeral, which appertained to a King in those days, which was tears and sorrow for forty days after.  
The Church was now much troubled by the Nestorian and Eutichean Heresies, which weeds were by two Counsels assembled at Ephesus and Chalcedon, plucked up out of the Garden of Christendom, and the true Christian Religion was now defended by Cyrillus and Theodoret, two stout Champions for the Church, who employed their whole strength and power for the maintenance thereof, so that the remembrance of their pious and noble actions will continue in all ages to their eternal praise and commendation.   

Chilperic or Hilperic the fourth King of France, Anno 459.  depiction of Chilperic  
CHilperic succeeded in the Kingdom by the favour of the memory of his Father, Anno Domini 459. notwithstanding that he seemed borne fit to lead an Army, than govern a Kingdom in Justice and peace, by reason of his insolence and lubricity, for which the great and powerful men of his Kingdom enforced him, having already reigned three years, to fly into the Kingdom of Thuringia, there to expect the issue of his fortune. But before his departure, his friend Vidomare, (or as others report Guiemans) gave him his word and promise, breaking a piece of Gold between them, the King keeping the one half, and he the other, advising the King that he should boldly return when he should receive the other half from him.  
Hereupon the French chose in his place giles or Gillon Governor of So●issons under the Romans, who reigned as King 8. years, in the end whereof Chilperic was re-appealed by Vidomare, who had so dexterously carried himself, that giles himself wrought his own ruin & hatred which the French conceived against him. Chilperic hereupon endeavouring the recovery of his Kingdom, gained a great battle against his Enemy Agrippina, which the French surnamed Coloyne. But in his return he sought an ill requital to so good a friend and Host the King Basin of Thuringia, because he took away with him Basins Wife and Queen, carrying her with him into France, and of her begat Clovis. Trithemius the Abbot saith, that the Dutchies and Counties were erected and instituted by Chilperic in France, who distributed them to those of his blood. But it is more apparent, that the French coming into Gaul, retained only the general● policy which the Romans had there planted, with the nominations of the Dutchies and Counties, which denominate no more than Provinces general● or subaltern. The Bretons of Gaul● Armorick under him took their beginning, Anno Domini 460. as also the Roman Empire ceased in the West, Anno Dom. 477. Chilperie breathed his las● in the 24. year of his Reign, about the year 484.  
The first part of Chilphericks' Life and Reign was much disgraced by his vicious government, and his own actions, oppressing his Subjects, and for his lust's satisfaction, abusing their Wives and Daughters: but afterward, being awaked by affliction, and touched with the sense of his former wrongs, he changed his course of Life, and took pleasure only in goodness, by his conversion gaining the affection of the French. Thus Affliction doth instruct not destroy a mind capable of Reason; for as Winter storms kill not the Tree, but keep down the wanton sap, which ascending in the Spring, makes it more fruitful: so by adversity and misfortune the mind is somewhat oppressed, but by virtue it is revived, and brings forth fruit of new conversion, and being dead unto former vices, lives only to goodness, as this King, who in the last part of his life conquered his desires, and triumphed in that noble Victory.   

Clovis 5. King of France, and the first Christian King of that Nation. Anno 485.  depiction of Clovis  
THis Lovis, or Lewis, came to the Crown, Anno Dom. 485. at the age of 15. He surmounted through his magnanimity, the glory of his predecessors: and we must ascribe the true entry of the French into Gaul to him, according to the affirmation of Gregory of Tours, Aymoynus, Ad●, and the Moderns. For by the overthrow by him given to Siagrius, Count of Soissons, son of giles the Roman, he reduced the County to the subjection and Laws of the French, and so abolished that small power and command which the Romans at that time had formerly, in those parts of Gaul, 537. years after it had been subjected to the Roman Empire by julius Caesar. After that he espoused Clotilda, daughter of Chilperie, one of the Kings of Burgundy, and being in the tenth year of his reign, he compelled the Thuringians to receive and acknowledge his Laws. He obtained the day at Tolbiac against the Almains, reducing their Kingdom into a Province and Dukedom: at his return he became a Christian in the 15. year of his reign, and altered his Coat of Arms. Near unto Dijon he overthrew Gondenbault his wife's uncle, and in the 25 year of his reign, he slew with his own hands in a battle Alaric King of the Visigoths, who was an Arian, and drove them out of Gaul, and by that means he submitted to his Kingdom the Country of Angolesme, Bourdelois, Perigort, Quercy, Rovergue, Albi, Auvergne, and Tholouze, nothing remaining unconquered of Gaul, but Provence, and a part of Languedoc. Afterwards being honoured with a Patriciall dignity by the Emperor Anastasius, he removed himself to Paris, where he established the Regal seat of his Kingdom. Others affirm, that in defiance and despite of all his greatest friends and kinsmen, who at that time commanded a great part of France, siezing their Estates and Lordships, prevented a disturbation of his estate like to ensue. He reigned 30. years, and lies inhumed and St. Peter, and St. Paul, now called St. Genovesue, yielding his last breath Anno Domin● 513. leaving four Children, Childebert, King of Paris, Clodomire of Orleans, Clotharius of Soyssons, Theodoricke a bastard, son of his K. of Metts, and two daughters; besides that son which was slain in the wars. The Kingdom that was in its infancy of growth was twice mangled and dismembered.  
In the time of this war, there came a messenger, that brought the King tidings how that one of his sons was dead: upon the receipt of which news he presently took the Crown from off his head, and fell into a heavy and melancholy passion, insomuch, that for the time he was quite bereft of his natural sense; which the messenger seeing, added this to his former tale, that his son died victoriously; hearing of which words, he revived, and took up the Crown, and set it again upon his Head, and so rested satisfied. When Richar Duke of Cambray, a man of bad conditions and lewd life, was by the King taken prisoner, and put to death, being betrayed by the treachery of his Barons, they imagining, as Seneca saith, that Prosperum ac faelix sotelus, virtus vocatur: That fortunate Treachery, should be esteemed virtuous piety: and being not content with certain richly guilt Corcelers of Copper, which the King had formerly sent them to procure the effecting of the aforesaid Treason, they complained unto him, that they were but badly recompensed. He answered, The gift of your lives is a sufficient reward for Traitors, who deserve torments rather than preferments for betraying their Lord & Master. Your lives which I suffer you to enjoy, is no small benefit and favour. For Kings, though they seem to allow Treason, cannot love the Traitor. The Traitors thus upbraided with their wickedness, and condemned by their conscience, slunk away from his presence.   

Childebert, the sixth King of France. Anno 514.  depiction of Childebert  
CHildebert, the eldest son of Clovis, succeeded in the Kingdom of Paris, which was the Regal Seat of the Monarchy of France, Anno Domini 514. Upon his undertaking the government, he was by his Brothers instigated, and his Mother Clotilda to the revenge of the death of his Father and Mother, who were by Gondebault murdered: whereupon making Wars upon the Burgundians, their King Sigismond was taken in a Battle, and together with his Queen and Progeny was thrown into a Well at Orleans. After that, they retreated against Gondemar, brother to Sigismond, where Clodomire was slain in the pursuit. By the means whereof, and the Wars following upon the whole Country of France, Gondemar took possession of Burgundy: Whilst Theodorick afterwards was against Hermonfroy for the estating himself in the Kingdom of Thuringia, by the aid and assistance of his brother Clotharius; Childebert seized upon the County of Auvergne, but having intelligence of the return of his Brother Theodorick, whom he supposed to have been dead, he went into Spain, against Almerick, King of the Visigoths, on a quarrel for the ill usage of his Sister Clotilda, which Alarick he slew near to Toledo, and took that City: and upon his return he reduced Gascogny to his obedience, chase the Visigoths back again into Spain, by this means making the Frenchmen sole possessors of both the Gauls, excepting one part of Provence, which for a time remained in the hands and power of the Ostrogoths of Italy. Childebert upon his return from Spain, went with Clotharius to beat Gondemar out of his Kingdom, which was divided between them, as also that of Orleans was, after the slaughter of the children of their brother Clodamire, except Claudius that made an escape.  
About that time Theodobald, King of the Ostrogoths of Italy, yielded up all the possessions they had in Provence, into the power of the French, to the end that they should join forces with him against Belisarius, Captain General of the Army of the Emperor Justinian in Italy, in the interim that Childebert and Theodobert through ambition were in an ill course against Clotharius; but these being reconciled by the Nobility of the Country, Childebert and Clotharius went into Spain, and surprised Saragoca. Afterwards upon a plot of Cranne, a Nephew of his, he made War upon Clotharius, who being too eager and earnest to scour the Field, and clear him of hi● Enemies, he died, in the 45. year o● his Reign, Anno Domini 558, and according to Sigebert & Aymoynus, 49. He lieth inhumed at St. Germane d●● prez.  
This King was much troubled by his Brethren, with whom he had a divided power, and ruled as the chief King But Sovereignty admits no Partners for Royal power, like an entire stream fed by the Spring, whence it descended will not mingle with other Titles, bu● doth maintain an absolute and undenyed Prerogative. His troublesome Reign concluded with his fatal death for he was slain by a wild Bull, which he hunted, the manner of his death being an Emblem of his life; for in his life he pursued wild imaginations and vain desires, until this sad mischance laid him to rest in a Grave, to show the vanity of humane designs, which are so soon strooke dead, such is the glory of this World. There is no virtue in this life, except it be to love the thing that is to be beloved; and to love that, ●s Prudence; and not to be moved or troubled for any matter of molestation, that is Fortitude; nor for any matter of Flattery and delight, that is Temperance; nor for pride, that is Justice.   

Clotharius 1. the seventh King of France. Anno 559.  depiction of Clotharius I  
CLotharius, the third legitimate Son of King Clovis, having reigned 45. years at Soissons, (which is now called the Belgic Gaul) upon the decease of his Brother Childebert, who died without issue Males, was proclaimed the 7. King of France● which his Son Cranne perceiving, as being now destitute of the support of his Uncle Childebert, by whose assistance he managed strong Wars against this his own Father, came and cried him mercy. But he made so maul use of his father's Grace and goodness, that he committed again a new Felony and Rebellion against him: And when his latter proceed began to be worse and worse in success than before, he fled to Conobre, or (as others say) Canabo, Prince and Count of the Bretons, who entertained him, and undertook to secure him from his Father. Whereupon his Father Clotharius with his Army invaded that Country, where they joined Battle, wherein the Bretons lost the Field, their Prince being slain in the place, and Cranne taken Prisoner, whom his Father caused to be shut up in a house, and together with his Wife and children to be all burnt to death. But Clotharius being the last of the Sons of King Clovis, died that same day twelvemonth that he justly had caused his son Cranne and his to be burnt, in the 51 years of his being a King. Anno Dom. 563. leaving behind him four sons, who again divided the French Monarchy into the former Tetrarchyes; insomuch, that that of Paris befell to the eldest, named Cherebert, or Charibert: Soissons to Chilperic; Orleans with the Kingdom of Burgundy to Gontran; and Austrasy to Sigebert, with the Provinces on this side the : but before the partage or division aforesaid, they fell all upon Chilperic, in open Arms, for the surrender of their Father Treasures, which he had already taken possession of, and by them the City of Paris. Whereupon it seems that he took it to heart, and ever after maliced his brothers, especially Sigisbert, who had been the motive (as Paulus Diaconus saith) that the Hunns made war against him. This King at the time of his death said, Vnach, Anach, How great is the King of Heaven, that hath made subject unto death the greatest Kings and Princes of the world! which speech discovered, that his too much affection to the world, made the approach of death, coming to take off his upper garment of mortality, more terrible; whereas, Mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas, regumque turres, & sceptra ligonibus aequat.  
Death impartially knocks at  
Poor Cottages, and the Court gate;  
And equally he bringeth down  
Unto the grave, the King and Clown.  
To satisfy Pope Eugenius, and for fear of Excommunication, for kill Gawler of Quetot his servant, hearing divine Service in his Chapel, he exempted the Lords of Quetot from homage and service due to the King, thereby to expiate his bloody offence. But although his life was very bad and vicious, and blotted with many impieties, yet in sickness his soul recovered some health, by a free acknowledging his sin, saying, That his only hope and confidence wa● in God's mercy.   

Cherebert 8. King of France. Anno 564.  depiction of Cherebert  
AFter the decease of Clotharius, Cherebert his son was King of Paris, Anno Dom. 564. He betook himself to all the kinds and sorts of dishonest pleasures that his fancy suggested him. Gregory of Tours takes no notice of his reign, because he governed not long: nevertheless, this mention he makes of him, that he was excommunicated by S. Germane Bishop of Paris, for that he had repudiated his lawful wife jugoberge that he might take another, his brother's Chilperic and Gontran, being no ways different in conditions. But Sigisbert was an honourable and a virtuous Prince. Cherebert died (according to the report of Sigebert, and the Chronicles of France) in the ninth year of his reign, without issue or any notable memory worthy a King: which was a cause of great controversy between his brothers concerning the succession; which in the end proved a war, which (according to Paulus Aemilius) was of a long continuance: nevertheless, although Gregory of Tours, and Aimoynus have very confusedly spoken of that war, without designing or remarking the time that it begun, nor what time Cherebert died: yet Gregory allows that there was a sharing of the Kingdom. According to whose Relations, Tours, Poitiers, and Anjou, fell to Sigisbert; but what parts befell to the others is not mentioned expressly but only this, that Chilperic obtained a part of Normandy with Roven: Gontran, Berry, Perigueux, and Gascony. But each of them kept his part in the City of Paris, and promised each to other, that after their departure thence, no one of them after that would enter into it again, without the consent of the other two. This Cherebert died at Blaye, near Bordeaux, An. Dom. 573. and was buried at St. Romanus of Blaye▪ Gontran, Sigisbert, and Chilperic were, during their lives, in contention, until such time as their brother Sigisbert was slain by two Soldiers, who were put upon that action by Fredegunde, the wife of Chilperic, who was besieged in Tournay by Sigisbert, who not long before was acknowledged as King at Paris.  
This King was enchanted with the cup of pleasure, whereof he drank deep, & thereby committed many violent acts: for nulla capitalior pestis, quàm corporis voluptas hominibus à natura data est; unlawful sinful pleasure is the cause of all plagues. And therefore Diogenes told Alexander, that he had always pleasure enough, while Alexander had never enough pleasure; and therefore he did not desire the insatiate pleasures of a King, and a King could not enjoy his pleasures. But this pleasure doth bewitch all the World, especially the sensible and rational man, only the spiritual mind can fly a higher pitch, & account all the delights of this world, but like the golden trappings of the Ass, that is made brave to carry greater burdens.   

Chilperic, the ninth King of France. Anno 577.  depiction of Chilperic  
CHilperick having reigned Nin● years at Soissons, and seein● himself raised from a mean t● a higher degree of his fortune, by th● death of his Brother Sigisbert, departed from Tournay to Paris: where having been received as lawful King Anno Domini 577. dispatched his son Merovaeus with an Army for the reducing of the Countries and Cities situated upon the River Loire; but he instead of that service, went directly to Roven, where by the advice of the Archbishop Praetextatus, he married Brunehault, the Widow of the foresaid Sigisbert. Whereupon his father was enraged, and after having dispersed the forces of the said slain Sigisbert, which came and assaulted him near Soissons, he shut up Merovaeus in a Monastery at Man's, and afterwards sent his other son into Guienne, for the recovery of whatsoever had been in Sigisberts' possession: from whence he was repelled by Patrice Mumole, King Gontrans Lieutenant. In the mean time Merovaeus, who was somewhat nettled, and had betaken himself to Brunehault, is constrained to fly into Austrasie; from whence being also expelled, was put to death, and Praetextatus confined to perpetual Exile. After this Chilperick enforced Waroch, Count of lower Bretagne, to acknowledge vassalage unto him, An. Dom. 584. On the other side, Childebert, who laboured to recover Marsiles which his brother Gontran detained from him, made peace with his Uncle Chilperic, who on his behalf, with all his forces fell upon Guienne, took Lymosin, Perigueux, and Agenois; and as he was very desirous to follow his fortune upon Bourges, he was stayed by the Army of Gontran, with whom he made peace. Not long after Chilperic perceiving too amorous passages of his Wife Fredegund with Landry, Mayre of his Palace, to take away the occasion of his resentment, they caused him that night to be murdered, as he returned from Hunting, in the Month of September, in the 23. year of his Reign, leaving one son, named Clotharius, four Months old. Whilst the Daughter of Chilperic was in her journey to be married to the second son of the Visigoths, she was stripped, ransacked, and rob of her treasure and jewels, and sent back again. An. Dom. 586. He lieth interred at St. German de prez.  
The occasion of his murder was the discovering of Fredegunds affection to Landry, for thinking to give his Wife a morning-salutation, he came booted into her Chamber before he went to Hunting, and finding her kembing her hair, which lay spread over her face, drew near without speaking, and with his riding-wand in jest touched the hinder part of herhead; she taking the King for Landry, who had free access for secret visits, said; In my judgement Landry, a good Knight should always strike before, and not behind: whereupon perceiving that it was the King, who by those words had discovered her mind, while the King was gone a Hunting, plotting the death of Fredegund and Landry, they contrived his death, and by murderers by them hired, the King accompanied only with his Page was killed as he returned from the Chase.   

Clotharius 2. the tenth King of France. Anno 586.  depiction of Clotharius II  
THis Clotharius, the second of that Name, at the age of four Months, An. Dom. 586, succeeded his Father under the tuition of his Uncle Gontran, who confirmed Landry Mayor of the Palace, and constituted him his Lieutenant General of the Kingdom, and retained Paris to himself, with all the dependences of the Kingdom of Cherebert, the late King.  
Gontran died in the 33. year of his Reign, Anno Dom. 595, having before instituted for his Heir by will Childebert, King of Austrasia, his Nephew, who lost the Battle at Soissons against Fredegund, for the Guardianship of his Cousin Clotharius: As also four years after, or thereabout, Childebert being deceased, Brunechilde, who had the tuition of Theodobert and Theodoric her young sons, lost the battle against her near Muret. Fredegund in the end dying, the two Kings of Austrasia and Orleans being vexed at the Ambushments of Clotharius, gave him battle near unto Sens and Estampes, and left him no more than twelve Counties of his whole Kingdom. Theodoric as victorious and triumphant enters Paris. After that Theodoric having his hands full of his other brother, and before that he would undertake any War against him, accorded with this his brother Clotharius, that he would give him the Dukedom of Denthelin, and other parts which he had taken from him, on condition that he would be a Neuter between them. But he having intelligence of the death of Theodobert, who was slain near Cologne in the 17. year of his Reign, enters immediately upon those promised Countries. Theodoric being very desirous that he should let go his hold, was empoisoned by Brunehault. Clotharius remaining now sole peaceable possessor of the whole Monarchy of France, put all the children of Theodoric to death, except Merovaeus, who was his youngest son. Afterwards he punished Brunehault according to her deserts and demerits; and he instituted his son Dagobert King of Austrasia, against whom this man was much incensed for the death of his brother Rodoald: but he was reconciled into favour by the Marriage of Cometrude, Sister of his last Wife. Clotharius having largely revenged himself upon the Saxons, who had revolted and wounded Dagobert, daring that that were without the reach of his Sword, deceased the 45. year of his age, and of his reign 37. An. D. 632. leaving Dagobert by his first Wife, and Aribert by the second.  
Brunehault before mentioned, having caused many murders and mischiefs, was by her own soldiers yielded up to Clotayre, and by the chiefest persons of his Dominions, condemned to be tied to the tail of a wild Mare, and drawn through a stony rough Country, being thereby torn in pieces, and dying many deaths in one death; yet St. Gregory in certain Letters commends her piety and wisdom, for many Temples were by her builded and endowed, while in the Temple of her soul she sets up Altars to murder and whoredom.   

Dagobert the 11. King of France. Anno 632.  depiction of Dagobert  
DAgobert being possessed of the Crown Anno Dom. 632. notwithstanding the oppositions of Brunulph, Uncle and governor of Aribert, he assigned him the Countries of Aquitan and Guienne for his maintenance, whereunto he gave the style and title of a Kingdom, and bounded it with the River Loire, and the Pyrenian Mountains. After that he laboured to polish his Kingdom, administering justice to every man. In the ninth year of his reign, which was the third year after the decease of his Father, he captivated himself to vices, and voluptuousness, in such sort, that he grew infamous, although he seemed much devoted to the Abbey of St. Denis, which he caused to be built, and enriched it with the pillaging of other Churches.  
In the interim, King Aribert deceased the seventh year of his reign, leaving a son called Chilperic, who survived him but few days, of whose death Dagobert was strongly suspected. He immediately united the Kingdom of Aquitan to the Monarchy of France, and dismembered the Dukedom of Almania into diverse parts, as Munster affirms. He released the Saxons of a yearly Tribute of five hundred Cows, which they paid to those of Austrasia, upon condition that they should keep the Sclavonians out of the Dominions of France.  
After this he crowned his son Sigisbert King of Austrasia. But because that in the 12 year of his reign, Clovis, or Lewis was borne by his wife Nentilde, he confirmed the kingdom of Austracy upon Sigisbert, and designed the occidental part of his Kingdom, called Neustria, together with that of Burgundy, to his son Clovis. At that time Radulphe Duke, and governor of Thuringia, for King Dagobert would needs oppose himself against Ansigise More of the Palace of Austracy, and make himself King; but in vain. Afterwards Dagobert combated victoriously the rebellious Gascognes', and intending as much to the Bretons judicael did him homage for his Kingdom. Lastly, he deceased with a Flux the 19 or, as others affirm, the 29 of january, Anno Dom. 647. sixteen years after the decease of his Father. He lies inhumedat St. Denis: with this King died the splendour of the Kings of France, and the power of the Maires of the Palace began to take a dangerous and pernicious root.  
The Character of this King may be thus drawn: He was better furnished with virtue than his education promised: he strained the Kingdom by justice, and brought it to moderation, and obedience; the state thereof being too much flackned by his father's lenity, and as he had tuned the government to yield a virtuous harmony, he grew into the opinion of his Subjects, by his affection to Piety, which he made to shine most clear and evident, by building and enriching many Temples, especially St. Denis, honoured since by being the constant Sepulchre where the Kings of France lie buried. He banished also the jews out of his Territories. But these resplendent virtues were darkened and disgraced by the foul sin of Adultery, whereby he grew infamous to his Subjects and Strangers, and was so confirmed in this vice, that Anand Bishop o● Paris persuading his Conversion, was therefore banished. But his reason was awaked by Pippins constant reprehension, to whom banishment being threatened, yet he persisted, and by a brave importunity, neglecting his own danger, obtained of the King to be merciful unto himself, and forsake his sin; such was the mind of this virtuous Prince to hearken to the words of a wise man which were spoken in season, that ever after he was wary both of his words & actions; leaving an example of loyalty in a servant, and of Reason's victory in a Prince.   

Clovis, (aliâs) Lewis 2. the 12. King of France, Anno 645.  depiction of Clovis  
THis Clovis or Lewis, although he were the younger brother of Sigisbert, whom some hold to have been borne of a Concubine, took the possession upon him of the Kingdoms both of France and Burgundy, under the government of his Mother Nentilde, and of Prince Aega, Mayre of the Palace, who shortly after died: in whose place was substituted Ercembault, kinsman to the late Dagobert by the mother's side. In the mean time Pepin, Mayre of the Palace of Austrasie, died, into whose office and place his son Grimoald would enter. But perceiving himself to be opposed by a certain Otho, who formerly had had the government of Sigebert in his minority made a quarrel between him and Leuther, Duke of Almain, who slew him. After, taking upon him the dignity of Mayor of the Palace, he matched his Sister Begga to the Duke Ansigise, son of St. Arnulph, by whom he had Pepin Heristel. Nentilde deceased Anno Dom. 651. as also her Favourite Flaveate did who was by Nation a Frenchman, Constable of Burgundy, and Wilebald Governor of Burgundy Trans-jurane; by the reason whereof Ercembault governed solely the Kingdom, until the King came to age. Afterwards in the year● 657, Sigebert persuading himself that he should have no issue, adopted Childebert, son of Grimoald, Mayre of his Palace as his son: but after having a son borne to him, whom he named Dagobert, at his decease he left him to succeed under the charge of Grimoald, who caused the Infant Dagobert to be transported into Scotland by Dudo, Bishop of Poitiers, there to be made a Monk, and caused his own son Childebert to be crowned King of Austrasie; which caused the King Clovis, accompanied with his Mayor Ercembault, to give him battle, in which they were both taken, and carried to Paris, where they died. By reason whereof Clovis instituted his second son Childeric King of Austrasie, and appointed Walfroy for Mayre of his Palace. After that there being a great famine, Clovis took all the Plate and Treasure out of the Church of St. De●nis, and gave it to the poor, and in recompense thereof he exempted that Abbey from the subjection of the Bishop of Paris. He departed this life to a better, An. Dom. 665, in the 21. year of his age, or as others, 23, and lieth at St. Denis, expecting a glorious Resurrection.  
This King and many other his successors, retained nothing of Sovereignty, but the name and habilements of Kings, having resigned their Regal power to their Mayres. For after they had committed all their Authority to these Vice-kings, they themselves did never appear in public, but on the first day of May, and then in their Chariots, stuck with flowers, and drawn with 4. Oxen. No suitors were admitted to the King's presence, who in his Chamber surfeited on all kind of pleasure, while the Subjects complained only to the Mayor, and by him had their wrongs redressed; for the whole government, which belonged unto the Kings, was now ordered by Mayres: yet this King was happy in his Consort and Queen Bandour, of whose Piety and devotion to Religion, the Abbey of Shelces, called St. Bandour, and other religious buildings were lasting Monuments.   

Clotharius 3. the 13. King of France. Anno 666.  depiction of Clotharius III  
THis Clotharius the third, the eldest son of Clovis, succeeded in the Regal power, Anno Dom. 666, (his brother Childeric or Childebert and Theodoric being very young) Clotharius permitted the sway of government to his Mother Bathilde, and his Mayor of Palace Ercembault, or Ereich, whom some are of opinion to have been entitled Duke of France, and after the death of this, he entertained one Ebroin in his place, (or as the Almain Chronicles say) Eberwin, a Germane borne, a man cruel, malicious, and wicked, who was preferred unto him by the French.  
He was the first, that, abusing the imbecility and Infancy of his Master, raised the power and authority of his own dignity to such a height it never had before, slighting and misprizing the Majesty and greatness of Kings: insomuch that afterwards nothing, of what importance soever, must pass without the approbation of those Mayres, all the Principality (as it were) being solely in their breasts and power, swaying yea, and limiting the expenses of their Kings, as they list themselves: making Wars, Peace, Alliances, Ordinances and Customs of the Kingdom at their pleasure. Some Chronicles say, that the Kings living at their ease and pleasures, shown themselves but once a year in public upon the first day of May in a general assembly, which was held every year for the public affairs of the Kingdom, in a place called The Field of Mars, where they road in a Chariot drawn by four Oxen, accompanied with the chief of the Baronry, as well hearing the complaints of their Subjects, as giving audience to Ambassadors of foreign Princes; all which they received at the second hand from their Mayres. This Clotharius was surprised by a Fever, whereof he died, having reigned four years, without leaving any issue, Anno Dom. 670. Theodoric undertakes the government of the Kingdom, but through the turmoils between him and Ebroin Mayre of the Palace, the subjects enforced him to a Monastic life at St. Denis, and Ebroin at Leuxeul in the Franche Contè. Clotharius lies at St. Denis in France. The composition of his mind was cruel, which the subjects felt in heavy taxations, by him imposed, saying that plenty and peace made them forgetful of their duty. And of him and his successors it may be said, that they left nothing memorable, but that they left no memory.  
He may be reckoned among those Kings that were living Pictures of Sovereignty, shown every year to the people, and so put up again into his Chamber: but if Virtue be active, and consists in doing good, how could Kings think that they might rule by their Deputies? You never knew that Flock of sheep did thrive, when the Shepherd committed them to the care of an Hireling, or a Boy and a Dog, for then the poor sheep are torn by Briars: so are the poor subjects by oppressions, when Rex dormit securus, when the King sleeps, and suffers his Mayres to govern him and his Realm. Therefore it is said, that no man is good in regard of the nobility of his Birth, but for the excellency of his Virtue: For true Nobility dependeth of Virtue, and all other things are of Fortune. But this was the defect of these times that made sovereign power have aweake aspect, and not to look so fine and clear as it would have done, for this King and many others were then but like Pictures in Arras: yet for all his cruelty, they bestowed upon him those funeral Rites which appertained to Sovereignty, and inhumed him amongst the former Kings.   

Childeric 2. the 14. King of France. Anno 670.  depiction of Childeric II  
THis Childeric, King of Austrasy, and brother to Clotharius, being called to the Crown by the Frenchmen, took Vlfoalde for his Mayor, but they found themselves as much troubled with him as they had been with Theodoric and Ebroin, whom they had made Monks, and confined into Monasteries. This Childeric, who was a man of no great wit, and dissolute, confined (saith Sigebert) Leger Bishop of Authun, a man of a holy life, to the Monastery of Luxeul: Nevertheless the Supplement of Idatius affirms that he was so gracious with him, that he was in a manner as Mayor of the Palace. He caused a Gentleman to be ignominiously whipped, who was of Franconia, called Bodille, by which fact he excited such a scandal against himself and a general hatred of most part of the Nobility of his Realm, that they all rebelled against him, after the example of Ingolbert (aliâs) Wigobert, and Amalbert; giving such an occasion to Bodille, that he sought all occasions of revenge for the notorious disgrace he had received from him: who on a day espying him coming from Hunting, caused him to be murdered by the assistance of his Compliees, who also shown no more mercy to his Queen and Wife Blitilde, although she were grea● with child; which was a cause that V●foalde fled into Austrasie, and that th● Lords of France, by the advice of Lege● Bishop of Authun, took Leudesil, th● son of the late Ercembault, for Mayr● of the Palace, who (as it seems to Aymoynus and Ado) taking Theodori● out of the Monastery, estated him in the Regal Throne.  
Childeric and his Wife were funebrially interred in the Church of St. German des prez lez Paris, Anno Domin● 676, and seven years after that by the general consent of the Frenchmen he was called out of Austrasie to govern the Kingdom of France. He left no issue; Sigebert and Paulus Aemilius seem to confound the History, being of opinion that Childeric reigned after Clotharius 12. years, and Theodoric 17. years after him: but others hold that the reign of Theodoric continued 19, in the which they number the years of his being a Monk, Childerick being substituted in his place. This King was another of the same stamp with the former, by nature inclined to tyranny and cruelty, disgracing his well-begun reign with a bad conclusion: for Kings mounted on the top of Honour, and beholding their subjects with contempt, thrust forward by flattery or ambition, do easily become Tyrants. And as this King's life did not show handsome, so his death plotted and effected by Bodille, did instruct Kings not to dishonour or contemn their Nobility, being their right Arme. And also it shown, that a disgraceful punishment inflicted on a Gentleman, doth touch the quick of the soul with a deep apprehension, for being of a freer tender nature, they scorn as much to receive an injury, as do any, and therefore they account it Justice to revenge, though they dye in the confirmation of the act: This appears by Bodille, who concealed her anger, until like Lightning it struck the King before it was seen; for he must be silent, full of dark thoughts, and carry his light inward, that will vindicate an injury; and writ Mihi & vindictae litavi, this is a sacrifice to Revenge.   

Theodoric 2.15. King of France. Anno 680.  depiction of Theodoric II  
THeodoric (alias) Thierry, the second of that name, having been called out of the Monastery by Ebroin, who in the time that things were in a combustion and confusion through the death of Childeric, went and assaulted Leudesie, from whom he recovered the Royal Finances. Afterwards pursuing him, he, contrary to his promise, caused him to be put to death, and causing himself to be re-estated in that dignity of which formerly he had been deprived, persecuted all those that had any way opposed him, filling all France with murderous cruelties: insomuch, that he put to death Leger, Bishop of Authun, and his brother Guerin. Whilst the Austrasians substituted Pepin, Heristed, More of the Palace of Austrasie, in the place of Vlfoald, and apppointed for his Coadjutor Martin, his Cousin German, son of Clodulphe, second Son of S. Arnulph. Whereof Ebroin being advertised, went to give them battle at a place called Locofic, where Pepin was enforced to betake himself into Austrasie for safety, and Martin to Laon: From whence Ebroin, upon his word given him in way of promise, fetched him out, and caused him to be put to death. Immediately hereupon Hermonfroy slew Ebroin, and for refuge betook himself to Pepin. By the reason whereof, Theodoric took to be More of the Palace one named Waraton, a man well advised, who having been supplanted and undermined by his son Gislemare, who died shortly after, entered into the State, although he kept it not long, but dying left it in the hands and power of Bertaire, who in such a high nature disgusted the Lords and Nobility of France, that they withdrew their affection from him, and there went (namely Andramne and Reole) to consult with Pepin for a War upon Theodoric the King, and Bertaire, who was near Taxieres in Vermandois defeated, and the said Bertaire slain by some that pursued him. Whereupon Theodoric made a peace with Pepin, and gave him the office of More of his Palace, as he already had that of Austrasie. Pepin being desirous to compose the matters of Austracy in order, instituted Norbert as his Lieutenant in France, in his absence. Afterwards he made his eldest son Drogon Duke of Campagne: Pepin began to govern in France, Anno Domini 687.  
Theodoric deceased 688. having reigned nineteen years, being a wonderful patiented King, and one that would not be moved with any small disaster that should have happened unto him, either through the Divine Power, or Humane Resistance. He left behind him three Sons, Clovis, Clotharius, and Childebert.  
This King being only a picture of Sovereignty, without any active motion, Ne vixisse inutilis olim, videatur, left issue to show that he had lived. He sat like a patiented man, and beheld the Tragedies played by the Mayres, as they had been a game of Tables, until Pepin won the set and Sovereignty of France.  
This King was of a slow disposition, not contemning, but neglecting the World; for if he had only slighted earthly glory, he would have violated Curius, who when the Samniter brought him great store of Treasure, as he was sitting by the fire side, he said, Non aurum haberi praeclarum sibi videri dixit; said eyes, qui haberent aurum, imperare: He accounted it no glory to have store of Gold, but to govern those that had store of gold. This was a magnanimity of mind, but a dejected mind in a Prince, suffering a Subject to over-toppe him, did not express the Courage of a Caesar, or an Alexander, that desired to be Monarch● of the whole world.   

Clovis 3. the 16. King of France. Anno 689.  depiction of Clovis III  
AFter the decease of Theodorick, Clovis, his eldest son, began his Reign in his minority, Anno Domini 689, having Pepin for Mayre of his Palace, who was surnamed Heristel, son of Ansigise, under whom France, that heretofore seemed to be divided, and (as it were) dismembered, seemed now to be as an entire body, as formerly it had been, and began to recover its pristine lustre and honour, which it had in a manner lost by the precedent divisions, and intestine dissensions; which also had given an occasion to the Aquitans and Gascognes' to range apart under the government of one proper and peculiar Prince, whom they styled Duke; an occasion that Roderic of Toledo took to make mention of one called Loup who was about that time.  
Clovis reigned (according to the Contivator of Gregory of Tours, Ado, and Sigebert) only four years, although Aimoynus, through the default of Writers, acknowledgeth but two years. And it seems that in his time the Saxons and Swedes, who upon the occasion of the precedent Wars by the succession of times, had withdrawn themselves out of the obedience to the French, were by Pepin summoned to their duty. And because they made him know that they would not perform any such thing but upon compulsion, he passed over the Rhine with an Army against them, wherewith he gave them such downright knocks, that he beat them into a subjection according to his desire. By the means whereof France for some space of time continued in peace, recovering by little and little its authority and renown amongst other Nations and strangers. Wherefore Clovis had no leisure to enjoy a long content, because he died, although young, (as it is said) leaving the succession to his brother Childebert, An. Dom. 692. The place of his death or interment is not mentioned in any Authors.  
This King reigned but four years, and therefore his Character may be drawn by the Emblem of the Sun rising, with a fair and clear aspect, but presently overcast with thick clouds, having this Motto, Orior & morior.  
As the Sun which fairly rose,  
Is hid with clouds that do enclose  
The clear beams, while that it doth show  
A sorrow, weeping tears of dew:  
So this King rose to a Crown,  
And setting soon in death, went down  
Leaving the Sphere of Majesty:  
His Motto this; I rose to dye.   

Childebert 2. the 17. King of France. Anno 692.  depiction of Childebert II  
After the death of Clovis, his brother Childebert succeeded him, and reigned according to all Authors, 17. or 18. years, except Ado, who alloweth him but 13. Nevertheless it seemeth that it was in his time that Pepin made war upon Rathod, Duke of Frizeland, who was as yet a Pagan and an Idolater; so that he being overthrown, Pepin would not grant him any conditions of peace, unless he would permit a Monk called Wilebrot, (aliâs) Clement, a learned and virtuous man, might freely give instructions to the Frizons in the Christian Religion, which for the most part was generally approved and liked by the people: but the Nobles and chief men remained and continued in their ancient error together with their Prince. Moreover, that Pepin was a man accomplished, and of singular parts, yet contrary to the Laws of Marriage, he was so much taken with the fond love of a Gentlewoman called Alpaide, that he utterly loathed his wife Plectrude. By reason whereof Lambert, Bishop of Vtrecht, or (as some report) Liege, a man of a holy life, boldly undertook to lay open his sin unto him, although he had restored him to his See Episcopal, whereof Ebroin had deprived him. Whereupon Alpaide was so much enraged, that she instigated her brother Dodon to kill him: but he and his associates received a reward due for such a demerit and murder. Pepin on the other part hearing that Norbert his Lieutenant of Maireship of France was deceased, substituted his second son Grimoald in the place, and caused him to marry Thendesinde, Daughter of Rathbod, Duke of Frizeland.  
About five years after, Drogon, the son of Pepin, Duke of Champagne, died, (as Ado noteth) Anno Dom. 708, but according to Sigebert, 699, whose estates were by Pepin given to his son Thibault: after that, seeing the Swedes to rebel against Childebert, under the conduct of Villarius he sent Anepos Bishop against them with a powerful Army, which overthrew them, saith Ado, Childebert deceased An. Dom. 710, having reigned 17. years, leaving issue, Dagobert, Clowis, and Daniel.  
That which is chief observable in this King, was his dotage on Alpaide, ● fair & beautiful Gentlewoman, whom he loved beyond all respect of himself, letting his Fame bleed to death, wounded with a bad report for his incontinent life. For that King that is addicted to the love of a woman, hath all his senses so charmed, that he understands nothing but his pleasure, and is quite given over to follow his own wicked desires For, Est infoelicius quàm meretrice nihil  
A Whore may well compared be  
Unto a Garden of misery:  
He that doth both touch and taste  
Her fruit, doth unto death make haste  
And he that endeavours to make a King see his own vice, does always perish in the attempt, & resembles Virgil● poor Gnat which the shepherd killed with clapping his hand against his face while he strove to wake him. So Bishop Lambert, that would have waked the King, was by Alpaides' plot and the Kings consent murdered.   

Dagobert 2. the 18. King of France, Anno 710.  depiction of Dagobert II  
DAgobert, the eldest son of Childebert, began his Reign Anno Dom. 710, according to Trithemius, Ado, and Aventine; not as Sigebert would have it, 716. There is not any memorable thing by Pepin done in his time, found or read recommendable to posterity, but only the death of Grimoald, More of the Palace of France, which was Anno Dom. 714 in April, who was miserably slain by a Soldier, a Frizelander, in the Church of St. Lambert, belonging to the See of Liege, whither he went to visit his father Pepin then lying sick in his bed, whereof he died the same year, about the midst of December, having executed both the Maireships with great honour for the space of 27. years and a half, after he had surrogated Thibault to his son Grimoald to be More. He resigned the Mayery of Austrasie to a natural son of his called Charles, whom he had by his Concubine Alpaide, already perceiving in him the signs of a great Generosity, which enabled him for such a charge, although he were but yet very young. Which gave an occasion to Plectrude, the lawful wife of Pepin, cunningly to surprise him, and to imprison him in the City of Cologne, as well for the Novercall jealousy she● had of him, as for having means also to ruin the estate of Austrasie, as also of France, being in the hands of her younger son Thibault, assuring herself that the managing of businesses would pass well enough under his name: But the Frenchmen not willing to be governed by a Woman, being grieved also that the office of the More should be hereditary, which formerly had been by Election, made an insurrection against Thibault, whom they forced to fly into the Forest Cocie. After that they chose Ranfroy for Mayre: The same year 714. Dagobert died, having reigned 5. years.  
This King was dissuaded from the love of Alpaide, by Lambert Bishop of utrect, whom this cruel Dame in revenge caused to be slain by her brother Dodon, struck after the acting this Murder, with a disease of worms, the stench whereof he being not able to endure, threw himself headlong into the River of Menze. See here a punishment to affright the sinful soul; a King that had before lived in a most voluptuous manner, that made a Whore the Centre of all his thoughts, thinking all happiness to be contained within that circumference, having lost his reason, and being wholly governed by a pettycoat, what a sad and fatal end did he meet withal! For pleasure comes with a fair alluring face, tempting to taste of her Circe's Cup, but when she turns her back, she hath a ragged ugly shape, which offends the sight, and brings the mind to sad repentance. This King had highly sinned, and now worms began to be bold with him, and eat his living flesh, so that corruption did not follow after death, but contrary to nature he rotten and corrupted while he lived, until the worm of conscience tormented his soul; a miserable death attending a bad life.   

Clotharius the 4, 19 King of France. Anno 719.  depiction of Clotharius IV  
CLotharius the fourth, son of Theodoric, who was the fifteenth King of France, was brother to the Kings, Clovis the third, and Childebert the second, and Uncle to Dagobert the second; and by the plots of Charles Martel, upon the decease of Dagobert, was made King. For, he perceiving that the greatest part of the French had constituted King, a certain Daniel, a man of the Royal blood, whom they had drawn out of the Monastery, and nominated him Chilperic the second; he, by force of Arms having valiantly fought it out in the field, and victoriously overthrown them, (as hereafter shall be mentioned) made himself Master of all France, and from thenceforth Charles Martel against his will was made King: But he knowing that the French, that could not contain themselves without a King, and would not admit any to the Title, but those of the Royal blood, knowing also himself not so descended, he caused this Clotharius to be Crowned King, as the next of blood; not that he thought him worth such a dignity as that of a Kingdom, but for a gaining of authority by this fair pretext, and for the transferring of the Crown of France by little and little to his Children, which afterwards came to pass. For under the name of Clotharius, Charles Martel did what he pleased, which so fortunately succeeded daily, that by this means he made a scaling-Ladder for his son Pepin to the Crown: So, that Clotharius the fourth, was made but an imaginary or titulary King, who did not any thing worthy of memory, because he reigned not above two years or little longer: and in the time of his reign, all France was in great Factions and Divisions, by the reason of so many pretendants to the Office of More of the Palace: also that Charles Martel had after him the entire government of the whole Kingdom, and command of all; insomuch, that he was called, Prince of the Frenchmen, great Master and Governor of France: And Clotharius had but the bare title of King: which is a cause that Paulus Aemilius, and other Historians have not inserted him into the Catalogue of the Kings of France. The aforesaid Clotharius deceased about the year 719, and lieth inhumed at Nancy.  
This King, having not the power of a King was like a Picture of Majesty, for some years exposed to the public view, but afterwards death drew a Curtain between him and the world, and then he was soon forgotten, whereas virtue doth give a second life to Princes, while their name is preserved fresh in memory: For Sola virtus expers Sepulchri. 
Virtue alone can never dye,  
But liveth still in memory.  And therefore that excellent monument, better than any Marble stone cut into form by Carvers Art, is the statue of the mind, not that of the body: for Statue huiusmodi relinquendae quae virtutis sint monumenta magis, quàm staturae corporis.  
That King doth need no Tomb cut out by Art,  
Whose Fame doth live in every Subject's heart.   

Daniel (alias) Chilperic 20. King of France. Anno 719.  depiction of Daniel  
DAniel, whom some affirm to have been the Son of Childebert, and brother to Dagobert; and others, that he was only of the blood Royal, was taken out of the Monastery to be made King; and his former name was changed into Chilperic, Anno Domini 715. In the beginning of his Reign he entered into a confederacy with Ratbode Duke of Frizeland. In the mean time Charles Martel escaped the imprisonment of his Stepmother Plectrude: and as he made all possible means and ways for the recovery of his right, before that he could effect any thing, he was by Ratbode defeated, near the , before that Rainfroy, and Chilperic could come to charge him. Nevertheless, Anno Domini 716. after, as the Frenchmen went with a Convoy of an infinite treasure of monies from the parts near Cologne, which Plectrude had given them. Charles Martel set upon them with such a fury, that he enforced them to forsake it near unto Albis. By the means whereof, taking heart for this his first fortunate enterprise, he overthrew Rainfroy, an● Chilperic, Anno Domini 717. th● 21 of March, near unto Vinciate, who came with an intent of an ample revenge, Charles by this victory assuring himself of the French, desirous to reduce the rest of the Kingdom of Austracy, entered by force into Cologne, and forced Plectrude to surrender unto him all his Father's Treasures. And for the greater validity of his cause, puts one forward (whom some esteem to have been the Uncle of the last King Dagobert, called Clotharius, or Lotharius) forcing him to take upon him the title and name of King: with him afterwards he went to encounter Chilperic, and Rainfroy, who by the means of end Duke of Aquitan, or Gascogne, were destitute of their Forces, being by him defeated, and overthrown in Champagne, insomuch, that for safety Chilperic retired to the said Duke with all his Treasures: Anno Domini 719. Clotharius, the titulary King, departed this life, whereupon Charles Martel sent to demand King Chilperie of end, that he might be sent unto him: by whom he was afterwards acknowledged as a King, and entertained Eude, into his amity and love. Chilperic also a year after deceased, Anno Dom. 720. having reigned five years and a half in a troublesome and turbulent State, which was scarce settled in all the time of his Reign: Charles Martel, with Clotharius, (or Lotharius, who had taken the name and title of King) raising many perturbations in his Kingdom: But Death at length drew his days to a period, after his great and manifold troubles, and lieth interred at Noyon.   

Theodoric 21. King of France. Anno 720.  depiction of Theodoric  
THeodoric was by Charles Martel substituted to Chilperic, Anno Domini 720. and reigned only titulary, as others had done before him, for the space of eighteen years. Charles Martel left Anion to Rainfroy, upon condition, that he should resign the office of Mayre, and after that went to terrify and chastise the Saxons, who had rebelled: at which time Ratbod Duke of Frizeland died A.D. 727. He brought the Almains into such a servitude to the French, that before that time they never performed. Afterwards, having enforced Plectrude to come to an agreement, he marched into Aquitan, against Eude, where in the way he, by a general Parliament, made himself to be styled Prince of the French. Whereupon Eude, more enraged than vanquished, incited the Saracens of Spain, by the means of Muguoce, Lord of Lerdane his son in Law their servant, whom Charles encountered before Tours, and gave them an overthrow by the assistance of the said Eude, who was enforced to take his part by reason of the insolencyes committed by the Saracens, who had now come down into his Country. In this expedition he gained the surname name of Martel, for the Mortality he made of his enemies. After the ending of this war, he went against the Burgundians, to punish them for their rebellion, and also those of Provence. After that, knowing the death of end, he reduced Guienne and Aquitaine into his obedience, disinheriting Gaifer and Walde the sons of end; who retiring themselves into Gothland, and Septimany (alias) Languedoc, recovered by the assistance of the Visigoths, a part of Guienne, in the mean time that Martel was in wars against Pepin, the son of Ratbod whom he overthrew, and forced the Frizons to become Christians. After, having sent back his Uncle Childebrand against the Visigoths and Saracens, who had possessed Avignon, himself went to quell Burgundy, now upon a revolt, and by the aid of Luitprand, King of the Lombard's, he went to drive Athin out of Narbon, and out of all Languedoc, and Provence, all which he submitted to the Crown of France, and he took away the Earldom of Marsiles from Count Morice, who had delivered Avignon to the Saracens. Theodoric died about the year 740.  
It was a usual custom for great Warriors and Soldiers in those times to get some titular addition to their name; as Alexander was called Ille magnus; so Martel was so surnamed, Quasi mortalis, or Martialis, because he was mortal in his expeditions, & full of martial valour, he was the first founder of the second Race of the French Kings, and therefore must needs be a man of great virtue, since the raisers of private families are either Saints or Devils, that get honour by virtue, or go to hell for it, to leave it to their Posterity.   

Childeric 3. the 22. King of France. Anno 740.  depiction of Childeric III  
CHilderic succeeded his brother Theodorick, Anno Domini 740. He was the last King of the race of the Merovees, Charles Martel deceased at Paris, October the 22. An. Dom. 741, leaving Carloman and Pepin surnamed The short, Giles Archbishop of Roven, (and Griffon, who was by another Mother) Carloman and Pepin took upon all their Father's possessions, and entitled themselves Dukes and Princes of the French. They called Hunaud to account, who had made himself a proprietary Lord of Aquitaine. In the mean time Griffon fastened upon Laon, claiming it as his right; from whence he was fetched out, and imprisoned at Ardennes. After Carboman having compelled the Almans (who had revolted) to his obedience, An. Dom. 743, went with his brother to combat Odilon (or) Vtilon, Duke of Bavaria, who was now in Rebellion, and had stolen and married their sister: whom they having compelled to alter his Title of King to Duke, they were contented he should peaceably enjoy their Sister as his wife. At their departure out of Bavaria, An. Dom. 744. they went against the Saxons, whom they enforced to undergo their accustomed yoke, giving their Duke Theodoric as an Hostage, who upon his own word was sent back; but the year following he was again taken in a relapse of a new revolt against the French. An. Dom. 746. Carloman became a Monk of Mount Soracte in Tuscany, and afterward at Mount Cassin. Whereupon Pepin reduced the whole Monarchy into his sole power. Afterwards he pursued his brother Griffon, who had retired himself into Saxony, and from thence into Bavaria, from whence Pepin having fished him, he brought him into France, and gave him the Dukedom of Angely in Normandy. After this Pepin affecting to join to himself both the name and the Royal Authority, wrought with Pope Zachary by Bouchard Bishop of Witsbourg, and by Volrude his Domestic Chaplain so fare, that the States of France assembling at Soyssons, following the declaration of Pope Zachary, degraded Childeric and his wife Gisale, and sent them to live a Monastic life in the Country of Bavaria, Anno Dom. 752. Thus was the Merovaean race deprived of its honour 293. years after the death of Merovaeus.  
This King and his Queen were enforced to be religious, and being deposed, were sent to a Monastery; for it was a usual custom sometime to confine the right Heir to such houses, or when they would be rid of their Kings, they did shave their heads, and made Monks of them, wherein it may be they did their souls good; but compelled Religion can never be sound. Jerome living in a Wilderness beheld Rome, and a King in a Cave will think on a Crown, and therefore it may be said, 
When a King wears the Friar's hood,  
He is either very bad or good.    

Charles Martell, Duke and Prince of the French.  depiction of Charles Martell  
ONE Charles Martel is placed here amongst the Kings of France, not because in his life time he took upon him the Name and Title of a King, but because indeed he commanded all France (after that he had made an escape out of the imprisonment of Plectrude his Mother in law) until his death: having made himself to be created in an Assembly of three Estates of the Kingdom, Prince and Duke of the Frenchmen, more haughty and illustrious than that of Mayor of the Palace, wherewith his Predecessors were contented, and the Kings that reigned in his time, had only the bare Name and Title, without any power at all, as it hath been already mentioned; yea, and after his decease his successors qualified him as a King, as it appears by his Tomb in the Church of Denis in France, where his Statue is crowned, and acoutred with Robes of Regality, and is written about it in Latin words, Charolus Martellus Rex. And justly he may be so styled, because there was no King in his time, but who he pleased.  
Pepin Heristel was his Father, Ausigise his Grandfather, S. Arnulph his great Grandfather, who being a Widower was made Bishop of Mets, which S. Arnulph was directly descended in the Masculine Line of Clodion, the son of Pharamont, the first King of France. This Charles was so valiant and generous, that he obtained the Surname of Martel, for the exceeding great strength of his arm, and the memorable Victory which he obtained against the Saracens, near unto the City of Tours, of whom he slew in the place to the number of 375. Thousand. He reduced the whole Country of Languedoc, otherwise called Septimany, to the Monarchy of France, which until that time was not warranted. He was very zealous in the defence of the Christian Religion: yea, and Rome itself being distressed by the siege of Luitprand, King of the Lombard's, and brought into great extremities, Pope Gregory sent by a Bishop Anastasius and Sergius a Priest, the Keys of the Sepulchre of St. Peter to Prince Martell, whereby he intimated unto him, that he put himself, the Church and the City of Rome into his protection and safeguard. Wherefore he sent Ambassadors to the Lombard's, to entreat them for his sake to desist, and to permit a peace to the City of Rome: which took such effect, that from that time afterward the Popes in all distresses sought to France for relief upon all occasions, whereof they never were destitute. In the end the Goths being vanquished, the Saxons and Frizons subdued, Languedoc conquered, and Provence recovered, and France enjoying the tranquillity of a happy peace Charles made a distribution of his estate to his Children, and shortly after died the ●●. of October, Anno Domini 741, who was the first that was ever styled Prince of France, and lies at St. Denis in France.  
This Charles Martell being King of France in power, though not in Title did make Childeric called Daniel, Clot●rius the fourth, Theodoric the second and Childerick the third, successively Kings of France. The Realm an● Crown of France being by Childeri● the third offered to Charles Martell, who refused the Diadem, saying, That it was more glorious to reign over kings, than to be a King, as appeareth by this Epitaph on his Monument.  
〈◊〉 Brabantinus Dux primus in orbe triumphant,  
●●●●eus in mundo spe●ialis Christicolarum,  
Dux Dominusque Ducum, Regum quoque Rex fore spernit.  
Non vult regnare, sed Regibus imperat ipse.  
The Duke of Braban, whom Fame doth renown  
For the chief Champion of all Christendom,  
Ruled both Dukes and Kings, and did disdain  
To be a King, but over Kings did reign.  
He had four sons, Caroloman and Giles of modest mild spirit, Pepin and Griffon rough and ambitious: he left to Caroloman, Austrasia; to Giles, being more hardy, France; and Giles given to devotion, he made Bishop of Rouen; ●nd Griffon being of a turbulent dispo●ion, had no portion, but was enforced to depend on his brothers, ●hereby the ambition of many bro●ers reigning together was prevented. Fame doth report that this Monarchy nor any foreign State did ever yield a worthier man, or any one so well accomplished with so rare and goodly qualities, being greatly admired and generally beloved for his pious and renowned actions. For Religion, Wisdom, Justice, Valour, modesty in prosperity, resolution in adversity, temperance in Authority, diligence, and good fortune, made him a most complete Prince, not wanting any endowments fit for so high a calling; and the example of virtuous perfection, for Virtue is the highest perfection of Nature, beyond which humane frailty cannot reach.   

Pepin the short, the 23. King of France, Anno 752.  depiction of Pepin  
PEpin the short, son of Charles Martell, was crowned King of France in the beginning of the year 752, by Boniface Bishop of Magence. The Saxons rebelled the year following, but Pepin made them very feelingly sensible of their default. An. Dom. 754. Pepin having been again anointed and crowned in the Church of St. Denis by Pope Stephen, successor to Zachary, who came to demand aid of him against Astulph King of the Lombard's, passed over the Alps, and two several times put the King Astulph into such straits and extremities, that he was constrained to surrender to the Pope duties belonging to St. Peter, the signory of Ravenna, and all that he could claim in Romania: whereupon the Emperor of Constantinople, to whom those Territories did belong, being much discontented, An. Dom. 759 overthrew the rebellious Saxons, and compelled them to pay tribute at every general Parliament of France 300. Horse fit for service of War. From thence he went against Waifer, Duke and Governor of Aquitaine, and enforced him to come to a composition, which nevertheless had no effectual issue, until he had defeated him in diverse battles, and taken the greatest part of his principal Cities. Which Waifer perceiving, and the taking of his Mother, Sisters, and Nieces, was enforced to commit the rest of his fortunes to the hazard of a Battle near Perigord, where, with the day he lost his life also, and his Principality likewise.  
Moreover Aquitaine received a governor (who in those times was styled Duke) from the appointment of the King, and was reunited to the Crown of France. Pepin retreating with his Army, was arrested with a fit of sickness at the suit of Death, whereby he paid Nature what he was indebted, the 24. of September, in the 54. year of his age, Anno Domini 768, leaving by his Queen Berthe, Charles, and Charlemagne, to whom by a partage they made between them, the Occidental part of France, together with Burgundy, and Aquitaine befell to Charles, who established his Seat at Noyon: and to Charlemagne the Oriental, whereunder the Provinces on this side the Rhine were comprised, and held his Court at Soyssons.  
This King was the first of the second Race, under whose virtuous government the happiness of France was much improved, and in his son's Reign; but Virtue being no inheritance descending to posterity, the glory of the Kingdom by the vices of succeeding Kings declined, showing that Grace and Goodness are the absolute free gifts of God. That which assured him of his Subjects love, and made him become gracious in their estimation, was his honourable Actions, followed by the love and obedience of his Subjects, for the attractive love of Virtue firmly obliges subjects to their Prince, and doth by a secret violence draw their affections. His last act concluded in a Royal death, being happy in his honours and hopeful Children, one of his sons being afterward acknowledged the worthiest and most excellent Prince that ever reigned: And himself by his virtue and valour gaining his subjects love, instructed Princes that the subjects love is the strongest guard, and that Virtue is the best preserver of Majesty, giving a good and prosperous success unto all their actions by whom she is embraced and daily followed, never leaving them hopeless in any danger which may seem to threaten them, but rather encourage and comfort their troubled spirits with assurance of overcoming and withstanding whatsoever may prove obnoxious or hurtful unto them, and lastly, it doth not only enrich a man with all temporal blessings here in this life, but hereafter advance him to immortal honour.   

Charlemagne, Emperor of Rome, and the 24. King of France. Anno 768.  depiction of Charlemayne  
NO sooner had Charles made a partage with his Brother Charlemagne, but he was enforced to restrain Lupus Duke of Gascoigne, and Hunaut of Aquitaine with including them in a Fort called Fressac, built near to Libourne. After that, marrying with the daughter or sister of Didier, King of the Lombard's, he entertained Trasilon Duke of Bavaria, into his amity. The year following, Charlemagne deceased, leaving two sons, whom Charles permitted not to govern in their father's estate, but annexed it to his own. After that he made war upon the Saxons, and in the year 773. at the request of Pope Adrian, he took Didier in Pavia, whom he confined in banishment to Liege, recovering all the possessions he had in Italy. And the same year he returned against the Saxons, where he founded a Fort by the name of Francfort. Again, being gone into Italy against Adelgise, son of Didier, who was revolted, he returned immediately against the Saxons, whom he forced to embrace Christianity. Anno Domini 776. The same year he took from the Saracens in Spain, Pampelonne, Saragosa, and made many Kings tributaries: in his return from thence the Gascognes' slew most of the best men of France. He subdued the Bretons of the lower Brittagne, who had revolted: and Anno Domini 787. He took the fidelity of Adagise, Duke of Benevent, and of Trasilon, Duke of Bavaria, whereupon he confiscated to his own use, the whole Country of Bavaria, and enforced Theodon, and his son to a Monastic life. He overthrew likewise the Sclavonians, and the Vandals, who held the Country of Brandebourg, Malgebourg, and Pomerania, and also the Huns, and Avarois, who at that time possessed Pannonia. He was saluted Emperor Anno Domini 801. upon Chistmas day. And having received presents from the King of Persia, he was sought in marriage by the Empress of Irene. After that, having combated the Venetians by his son Pepin, and defeated the Normans; and having founded the Universities of Paris, Bologne and Pavia; an intending to unite the Channel of the Rhine with that of Danubius, he was intercepted by Death, Anno Domini 814 being threescore and twelve years of Age, having reigned over the French six and forty years, and of Italy three and forty, and of his Empire fourteen, and lies inhumed in Aix la Chapelle.  
This Charles got some addition to his name, as Alexander the Great, being indeed great in the gifts of body and mind, Arts, and Arms. The groundwork whereon he raised noble Trophies to Fame, was Religion, to which he give due honour, and from thence deriving Moral perfections, he grew an admired Prince, naturally favouring the Muses, learned in the Greek and Latin languages. Philosophy, the Mathematics, and other Sciences, he called his pastimes and companions of his sword. Something he wrote in Poetry for recreation, but he especially delighted in History, the Register of noble Actions.  
The Acts of Charlemagne in the Life of his Brother Caroloman, were many, and most renowned, and also when he was King alone, but when he was installed Emperor, he crowned all those actions by his care of the Church, and his godly preparing for Death: for he was much inclined to to the reading of such Books as were for the bettering of his understanding, and which tended to the leading of a virtuous and godly life; as may appear by his spending three years in reading the Bible and St. Augustine's Books before he died. And the Character of his Life was: That his virtue was the pattern of Princes, and his good fortune the subject of their wishes.   

Lewis the Debonair, Emperor of Rome, and 25. King of France. Anno 814.  depiction of Lewis the Debonaire  
LEwis, who was left the sole son of Charlemain, was consecrated at Rheimes by Pope Stephen, Anno Domini. 814. In the beginning of his Empire, he reduced the Sclavonians, Sorabes and Gascoignes under his obedience who had revolted upon the death of Charlemagne: He held a Parliament at Aix, where he caused his eldest son Prince Lotharius, to be crowned Emperor with him, and caused his other sons to be Crowned Kings, giving unto Pepin the Kingdom of Aquitaine, and to Lewis the Duchy of Bavaria. By reason whereof, his Nephew Bernard rebelled against him, who by a sentence of the Emperor's Counsel had his eyes pulled out, whereupon he died with grief. From thence Lewis went against the Bretons, who had made an insurrection, and chased Lindeute, Governor of Austria, out of Pannonia. And having Anno Domini 824 renewed his alliance with Michael the Emperor of Constantinople; and his wife Hermingarde being dead, he married with Judith, daughter of the Count Artolf, which judith, because she advanced hers to the disadvantage of the Emperor's Children, was a cause that they raised an army against their Father; who having confined her into a Monastery of Italy, she was put into a Coffer at St. Medards of Soissons, from whence she was conveyed out by the French Princes. Lotharius seeing this, fled into Italy: The troubles of France being appeased, the Danes and Normans ransacked the Country of Zealand, and Frizland, and also the Bretons rebelled. Also the Saracens much perplexed the Emperor in the chase them out of Italy and Provence, who finding himself near his end, bequeathed unto his son Charles the Occidental part of France, and by the death of Pepin, A.D. 838. Aquitaine was added; & to Lotharius he left the Empire, with the rest of the Kingdom of France; & to Lewis the kingdom of Bavaria Lewis being discontented at this partage, would needs take Almain into his power: but having been hindered two several times by the Emperor's Army, in the end the Emperor died in an Isle of the Rhine the sixtieth year of his age, and the 27. of his Empire and reigns Anno Domini 840.  
This Lewis was of a mild and gentle disposition, fit to be a Churchman, than a King; whereby he grew contemptible to his Subjects; yet mild natures much provoked are violent in revenge; for having taken Bernard, he imprisoned him, than put out his eyes, and all the Bishops & noblemen his adherents: He indiscreetly gave his sons their portions, and thereby procured his own affliction, arming them with strength to rebel against their Father; and for affection to Churchmen he was by them censured for his cruelty to the Bishops, to be confined to a Monastery, while the Clergy adhered to the rebellious Children against the father; whose late attempt was to chastise the insolency of of his son Lewis; but age and grief concluded his happiness, and the good old King having felt enough vexation in the unnatural rebellion of his Children, forsook the world, and so found rest and happiness.   

Charles the Bald Emperor, and the 26. King of France, Anno 840.  depiction of Charles  
THis Charles the Bald having attained to the Kingdom, Anno Dom. 840, made great Wars against Lotharius, until he gave him battle at Fontenay: During these debates the Bretons revolted, and the Normans came even unto Paris to sack the Abbey of St. German, insomuch that Charles was enforced by money to hire them to a retreat. After this, Charles went against Neomenius King of Bretagne, whom he routed and defeated twice afterwards. Anno Dom. 851. after, Aquitaine fell into the hands of Charles, who encloystered his Nephews Pepin and Charles. He again overthrew the Bretons; the Normans on the other side took the City of Nantes, confounding all with blood and fire, not sparing the Bishop who was then at Mass.  
Fifteen years after the battle at Fontnay, Charles the Bald made himself to be anointed King in the City of Lymoges. Lotharius became a Monk, leaving the government to his son Lewis; but that part of Gaul beyond the mountains, was divided between Charles and Lotharius his other sons Baldwin having espoused the daughter of Charles the Bald without his consent in the end was acknowledged as Son● in law, to whom Charles gave the County of Flanders, and lost Aquitaine, whereupon Lewis caused himself to be Crowned King of Germany in the City of Sens, while Charles was entertained in Wars against the Normans: which he recovered Anno Domini 859, forcing his brother to retreat into Germany. Anno Dom. 863. they entered into a League. In the mean time there grew great troubles amongst the Nobility of France, by the means whereof the Bretons came as fare as Poitiers, whence they were chased by Charles, and An. Dom. 863. they were constrained to take their Kingdom and Duchy by faith of homage to him. And Anno Dom. 869. he was elected King of Lorraine by the death of his Nephew Lotharius. He was also crowned Emperor Anno Dom. 875. by the death of his Nephew Lewis, which he enjoyed not above two years; in the end whereof being desirous to return out of Italy into France, he was poisoned by his Physician, the sixth of October, Anno Dom. 877.  
The Reign of this Prince was confused, and unhappy, and of small fame, being a King of no merit, for from the confusion in his reign the fall of this Race did spring: But as Timanthes, when he drew Iphigenia ready to be sacrificed, painted Calchus with a sad countenance, Ulysses' sadder, and having spent all his Art in expressing Menelaus' grief, and not knowing how to make the Father's countenance more sorrowful, covered his head with a veil, leaving his passion to be conceived by imagination: so this King's Picture deserves to be hidden and obscured with the veil of silence: for it is better not to write at all, than to write, though justly, disgracefully of deceased Princes.   

Lewis 3. Emperor, and 27. King of France, Anno 877.  depiction of Lewis III  
AFter the decease of Charles the Bald, Lewis surnamed the Stut, was heir and successor of his Father, declared himself not only King of France Anno Dom. 877, causing himself to be crowned in a full assembly of Princes and Prelates at Rheimes, but also Emperor of Rome. Aymoynus testifieth that he was in some difference before his Coronation with the Primates of his Kingdom, because he had distributed the estates and dignities of France without their advice: Insomuch that he was enforced to give them content. In the mean time Pope John the 8. conceiving a better hope of the French, than of the Almains, laboured what he could to reduce Italy into the good liking of Lewis the Stut, by the reason whereof he became an enemy of those that took part with Caroloman, Nephew to the said Lewis, and eldest son of Lewis, King of Bavaria, who took the Pope prisoner, whence he made an escape by the means of his adherents, and retired himself into France with the Treasures of the Church, after that he had excommunicated his adversaries, who nevertheless desisted not to detain the City of Rome for the party of Caroloman. In the mean time the Pope was conducted from Arles by Duke Boson to Lions; from whence he went to visit the King at Troy's, and there the King caused himself by him to be crowned with the Imperial Diadem.  
After that the Pope was reconducted by Boson into Italy, whiles the Emperor Lewis went to visit Lewis King of Germany in Lorraine, where they concluded a treaty of peace, for the which the controversy touching the Empire was deferred till another time, and it was agreed that the possession should rest as it did of that which each of them had in Italy, until such time that it was otherwise agreed upon. Afterwards as the Emperor was in his journey with his forces to go visit Bernard Marquis of Gothland, or of Languedock, which had given an occasion to the Emperor to distrust his fidelity, he was surprised at Troy's with a malady, which moved him upon hope of recovery to return to Compaigne, where he deceased the tenth of April, An. Dom. 879, leaving his Wife great with child, who shortly after was delivered of a son who was called Charles, afterwards surnamed the Simple, whose life is set down as the occasion falls convenient; wherein you shall read Notes worthy your observation: In whose minority three things are observable, the efficacy of the Law of State, preserving the unborn lawful Heirs right: The minority of a King, subject to many miseries: And the liberty of great men in the weakness of a young Prince. For Lewis and Caroloman being first chosen Regent's, after procured themselves under colour of the pupiles interest, to be crowned Kings.   

Lewis and Caroloman, or Carlon, the 28. King of France, An. 879.  depiction of Carlon  
THis Lewis and Carlon or Caroloman, sons of Lewis the Stui, and of Ausgarde whom he had taken to wife without the knowledge of his father, and after by his command divorced her, according to the Almain Chronicles, were crowned Kings of France, An. Dom. 879. according to the appointment of Lewis the Stut at his death to the Peers of his Realm. Upon which occasion some Abbots and great Lords partializing against them, appealed Lewis King of Almany, to take charge of the affairs of France into his hands. To which purpose being arrived at Verdun, he was pacified with the part of the Kingdom of Lorraine, which was given him, upon which he and his late Father had quarrelled with the Kings of France. This fire being thus quenched, another controversy grew concerning the County of Authun, between the Counts Theodoric, to whom it was given by the late deceased Emperor, and Boson, who laid a claim thereunto, to whom it was adjudged by Hugh the Abbot, upon condition that he should leave the Abbeys with their revenues which were in those parts, to Theodoric.  
The State of France being thus troubled, Boson grew more turbulent, causing himself to be crowned King of Burgundy, as also did the Normans, whom the Kings overthrew upon Saint Andrews day, Anno Dom. 879, slaying 5000. of them in the field. After in the year 880, they made a partage of the Kingdom of France, by which all the Neustrick France befell to Lewis, and Aquitan with Burgundy with the Marches to Caroloman. This being done, they went to surprise the Normans, whom they cut in pieces in the Carbonary Forest, to the number of 9000, the year after he deceased. The Normans not desisting from wasting and sacking the Country of France, came up as fare as Paris. Carloman was enforced to buy a peace of them for 12. years, which he enjoyed not long, for in the year 884. he was slain by a wild Boar a hunting, having reigned five or six years; or running after a Gentlewoman, his horse carried him away, and crushed him under a gate, or at the Chase he fell down and broke his neck, for report differing in the manner of his death, agrees that it was violent and accidental.   

Lewis the Lubber, and Charles the Gross, the 29. K. of France, An. 885.  depiction of Lewis the Lubber  
THis Lewis surnamed the Lubber, or Doelittle, son of Carloman, succeeded in the Kingdom An. Dom. 885, at the pursuit of Hugh the Abbot, (who was so named, because as it is thought, he was the first of the Lay-Princes that usurped the revenues of the Abbeys) so that all that part on this side Seine, and that which was called Neustry, remained in the obedience of Lewis the Do little; and the parts beyond the Seine with Burgundy, were under Charles the gross, Emperor; who came to take the protection of France against the Normans, according as Fulco, Archbishop of Rheimes, testifieth. Therefore it is that they are placed in the Rank and Catalogue of the Kings. In those times the Normans ranged about Neustry, sacking and spoiling the greatest part of Cities in those parts, namely, Roven, Eureux, and Bayeux: but they were so sound curried by the valour of Hugh the Abbot, that in a long time after they durst not set a foot there, which was a cause that the same year 887. they returned to thunder upon the other parts of France, not sparing the Emperor's Country, where they surprised the Castle of Lovanne. From thence they came before Paris under the conduct of their King Sigefroy, hoping there also to make a prey as they had done elsewhere; but it was so bravely defended by Count Eudes & the Abbot Goslin, that they were quite frustrate of their expectation and pretence. This Lewis died immediately after, having borne the name of a King to his dying day, for the space of two years, according to the Chronicle of St. Benign. Moreover, Charles became so stupefied in his senses and understanding, that when the Princes of the Empire knew that there was no hope of his recovery, and that the affairs of the Empire might fall into some disasters, they gave him into the charge of his Nephew Arnulph, natural son of the late Caroloman, in whose custody he died soon after, on the 12. of January, Anno Dom. 888.  
This King was approved in the beginning of his Reign; and reverenced by his Subjects, but afterwards having made a dishonourable peace with the Normans, yielding them Neustria, now called Normandy, he lost his Subject's affection, and then through grief and jealousy conceived against his Queen Richarda, fell sick, and through the distemper of his body and mind being unfit to govern, was deposed, rejected both from the Realm and Empire, banished from the Court, and having neither house nor means, was starved and died for want of relief in a poor Village of Suevia. Thus one of the great Monarches of the world died without house, without bread, without honour, without mourning, & without memory, but that his end was prodigiously memorable. The reasons were his imperious pride in prosperity, and his despairing dejectedness in adversity, foolish extremes becoming not a magnanimous mind; therefore his affliction was hated of his subjects, not considering the true cause of his affliction. But the chief cause was his distrust in God in his extremities, for he should have acknowledged that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as David said, 
O Lord, although I am thrown down,  
I have held my peace, thou hast it done.    

Eudes or Odo. the 30. King of France. Anno 891.  depiction of Eudes  
EVdes or Odo, son of Rober● Count of Paris, and of France, Tutor to the young Charles, took the government of the affairs under the Title of King, and by the consent of Arnulph and the Lords of France: He was consecrated and anointed King, and crowned by Walter Archbishop of Sens, who was a cause that Baldwin, Count of Flanders, and Fulco Archbishop of Rheimes, sent Guy, Duke of Spoleta into Italy, to take the affairs of France into his hands. Odo being established, gave the County of Paris and of France to Count Robert his brother, and instituted Richard, Count of Authun, governor of the lower Burgundy, for the defence thereof against the Normans; who having been Anno Domini 888. repulsed from before Pa●is by Count Robert, came before Sens: from whence they were heaten by the ●●id Richard Duke of Burgundy, who was the first that left that dignity hereditary and patrimonial to his successors. Walter, Nephew to Eudes, making 〈◊〉 insurrection against him, betook himself into Lygus, whence fetched out, he was put to death. At the same time Ebulo, Abbot of St. Germane, and Count Ranulph, together with his brother Gotsbert, arose against Eudes in Aquitaine, whom he made to go against them. In the mean time the greatest part of the Lords of Neustria were in pursuit of Fulco, Archbishop of Rheimes, and of the Counts Heribert and Pepin the young, Charles the Simple, whom they caused to be crowned King in the City of Rheimes. Whereupon Eudes and he grew to great Wars, so that Charles the Simple would have entered into a confederacy of a Fleet o● Normans under the conduct of Hasting● for the recovery of his Kingdom, bu● he was prevented by Fulco, the Archbishop of Rheimes, because they wer● as yet Pagans. Fulco made peace between Eudes and Charles the Simple● Anno Domini 897, and by this reconciliation a part of the Kingdom w●● given to Charles, and the other permuted to Eudes, who enjoyed it not lon● after, because he deceased without issue, the 13. of January, Anno 898, and at his death he declared that of right the Crown after him ought to return to Charles the Simple, to whom it of equity and right appertained.  
From the Race of this Eudes sprung Hugh Capet, for Widechind of Saxony favoured by Charlemain, sent his son Robert or Rupert into France, who had two sons, Eudes and Robert, Father to Hugh the great, Father to Hugh Capet, afterward King of France. Fame drew this Character of Eudes, that he was a good wise man, yet he could not please the French by his Regency, for the excess of his virtue curbing the desire of such as sought to raise their fortunes by usurping power over the State and the King's weakness supported by Eudes, drew envy on his actions seeking the good of the Commonwealth, which he neglected, but with approved resolution not abated by private malice, went forward with the government of the Realm, and at last resigns all his Authority to the King, who like Phaethon, unfit to rule the Chariot of the Sun, by his bad government met those misfortunes, which Eudes kept off while he lived; for Wisdom and Discretion is Scutum invincibile, an invincible Buckler, folly, envy, policy, treachery, slander, adversity, necessity, power and injustice, and all the Devil's invisible Artillery cannot pierce nor wound him that is therewith armed.   

Charles the Simple, the 31. King of France, Anno 898.  depiction of Charles the Simple  
Charles' surnamed the Simple, was estated in his Father's Throne, Anno Dom. 898, and by the reason of his imbecility every one encroached upon him, by making whatsoever possessions they held, as hereditary to their posterity, what belonged of right to the Crown: in so much that great dignities, Dutchies, Earldoms, and government of Provinces, which formerly were held but for term of life in a titulary way, were now made hereditary. Anno Domini 912. he made a peace with Rollon, upon condition that the Country of Neustry, bounded by the River Epte on the one side, and by the Ocean on the other, should remain to Rollon in Title of a Duchy, to hold it in homage of the Crown of France, conditionally also, that he and his whole Country should be baptised in the Christian Faith. By reason whereof he was baptised Robert, after the name of his Kinsman Count Robert, from thence Normandy had its denomination. In those times also there were great troubles in France, which were raised by Robert brother to the former Odo, who had caused himself to be crowned King by Herivee, Archbishop of Rheimes, whilst Charles was in Lorraine; for the recovery whereof Charles led an Army of Lorainers against Robert, whom he took at unawares near to Soyssons. Notwithstanding this Robert resisted him valiantly, but with the loss of his life: The battle nevertheless was lost by Charles, who fled into Lorraine. Whereupon the Allies of Robert called in Duke Rodulph of Burgundy, whom they caused to be crowned King at Soyssons for want of Hugh le Blanc, son of the late Robert, who by reason of his youth durst not pretend the Crown.  
After this Charles stayed not long to be entrapped in the snares of Hebert the Count, who sent by his Cousin Bernard, Count of Senlis to take him: so that he was detained prisoner in the City of St. Quintin, and afterwards was sent to the Castle of Thyerry upon the Marne, and from thence to Peronne, where he ended his life five years after his imprisonment, leaving Lewis in the power of his Mother Theargine, who for his safety conveyed him into England. This King having resigned his Crown to Raoul his Godson, the first Prince of the blood by his Mother Hermingrade, Daughter to Lewis, and wife of Boson, King of Burgundy, died with grief, and of a languishing Melancholy, to see that his treacherous vassage should so affront and oppose him, and use him in such a disgraceful manner. For there is no greater misery or vexation, than when the Master through want and poverty is abused by the man, it doth even astonish the mind, and pierce the Heart unto death; for Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum.   

Rodulph, or Raoul of Burgundy, the 32. King of France, Anno 923.  depiction of Rodulph  
ROdulph having been crowned King at Soissons the 13. of June, Anno Dom. 923, reigned 13. years; he went afterwards to war with Hugh le Blanc against the Normans, others against those of the Faction of Rollon, and also those that inhabited upon the River Loire: from whence he was recalled to receive the oath of the Lorainers, excepting that of Duke Gislebert and Rotharius, Archbishop of Treves. Afterwards having espoused Berthe, the Daughter of the Duke of Swede, and because having a hope to attain the Empire, he passed into Italy, where he overthrew Berengarius, and drove him out of Italy: and at his return having made peace with the Normans, he went against William Duke of Aquitaine, whom he enforced to acknowledge his estate to have dependence from the Crown. And upon the parting of Estates of the Kingdom, which was held at Attigny, he had gone into Lorraine, had he not been hindered by a fit of sickness, which retained him at Rheimes. After that he went against the Normans, but through the rebellion of the Lorainers, who had surrendered the upper Lorraine into the power of the Emperor Henry, he was enforced to make peace with the Normans, which continued not long, because having recommenced their wont courses, he was constrained to purchase his peace with a great sum of moneys, that he might go against the Duke of Aquitaine, who was now in rebellion, from whom he took Nevers. The bruit of the Hungarians coming into France, gave him to understand of the revolt of Count Heribert, who accompanying himself with Hugh le Blanc, went to take an Alliance with Henry the Emperor in Lorraine, and in his return released King Charles out of prison, who went to meet William Duke of Normandy, to enter a League against Rodulph. This beginning of Wars being pacified between them, Heribert caused Charles again to be imprisoned, who died shortly after at Peronne.  
In those times there were great contentions amongst the Pairs of France concerning the Provinces, which proceeded from the politic slights of the Emperor, who sought to hold the partialities of France in an equality, for fear lest the tranquillity of France might not produce a trouble to his estate in Lorraine. Rodulph deceased the twelfth or fifteenth day of January, Anno Domini 939.  
This Roul was an usurper, and his reign was troublesome and unfortunate, and for he and others, that had been servants to the Crown, being now Kings and Dukes, thought to make their Dominions proper to themselves, and not depending on the Crown, which bred much confusion in France, Italy, and Germany. The Church did now strive to advance the Authority of the Pope of Rome, gaining a great opinion among Christians in the Empire's declining estate, and growing so great a Monarch, that he assumed primacy above Kings and Emperors, which they and their subjects refused to acknowledge.  
In these times a young Maid attired like a Boy, went with a learned man to Athens, and returned from thence so good a Scholar, being well read in many Authors of exquisite learning and profound knowledge, and so expert likewise in the holy Scriptures, that after the death of Pope Leo, she was created Pope John the eight; but afterward being with child by one of her Grooms, she was as she went in solemn procession, (according to the custom and order observed amongst the●) delivered of a child in the open street: Thus the Empire, the Realm, and the Church were in those times much distempered and disgraced, price and ignorance breeding many miseries and reproachful accidents.   

Lewis 4. the 33. King of France. Anno 939.  depiction of Lewis IV  
LEwis, son of Charles the Simple, was recalled out of England by the Princes of France, and at the instance of Hugh le Blanc was crowned at Laon by the Archbishop of Rheims, the 19 of July, An. Dom. 939. From thence he went to recover the City of Langres from Hugh le Noire, brother to King Rodulph, and having entertained the Lords of Burgundy before he came to Paris, he discarded Hugh le Blanc, and for his own Mother, that he might make use of her counsel: which caused Hugh to ally himself to the Emperor Otho, by taking his sister in marriage, and to reconcile Heribert. Afterwards they went to follow the King even into Burgundy, who in revenge fell upon Lorraine, which caused the Emperor to departed out of Almain to oppose him, but they made a peace between themselves. This notwithstanding, the King could not obtain peace of his adversaries, until the Dukes of Normandy, Aquitaine, and Bretagne being encouraged by Pope Stephen, embraced him, and they wrought so, that the Emperor accorded with the Princes Hugh & Heribert, who awhile after that was taken by the King, and hanged, because he had imprisoned his Father, which so much disturbed the repose of France, together with the death of William, Dukes of Normandy, who was murdered by the Count of Flanders, that Wars being enkindled over all France, the King was taken prisoner by the Normans, from being recovered by Hugh le Blanc, who delivered him to Count Thibaut, who detained him longer for the space of a year. The Emperor Otho seeing this, debated the cause of Hugh le Blanc, and began to maintain the Kings so long, until carrying himself indifferent, he came to reap the fruit of both their ruins without any danger at all. In conclusion, this last War which had continued seven or eight years, being ended by an agreement between the King and Duke Hughes in the City of Soyssons, the King died of a strange malady in the Month of September, or according to others, the 12. of November, Anno Domini 954, after he had reigned about 19 years, leaving by his wife Gerberge Lotharius and Charles. This King, (as it is formerly briefly mentioned) to revenge the death of his Father, whom Hebert Earl of Vermandois, had kept a prisoner in the Castle of Peronne until he there died, caused one in the habit of an Englishman, to come in haste to his Court at Landun, with Letters which himself had written, though feigned to be sent from the King of England. The messenger being entered, and the Letters read softly to the King by his Secretary, the King smiled, and said; The Englishmen are not so wise as I esteemed them to be: for our Cousin Harmant, King of England, hath signified unto me by these Letters, that in his Country a labouring man inviting his Master to dine at his house, caused him to be slain, and now he desires your counsel my Lords, what punishment this fellow hath deserved: Whereupon Thibaut, Earl of Bloys, said; that he was worthy to be tortured, and then hanged on a Gibbet: which sentence all the Lords there present, and also Hebert Earl of Vermandois did confirm and allow: Whereupon the King's Officers there provided in a readiness, apprehended the said Hebert Earl of Vermandois, unto whom the King said, Hebert, this wicked Labourer is thyself, who didst put to death thy Lord and Master, King Charles my Father, for which thou hast condemned thyself to dye by thy own judgement. Whereupon Hebert was hanged on a Gibbet on the top of a Mountain near Lodun, which since his Execution is called still Mount Hebert.  
This Lewis, (as was said) being nine years in England, was therefore surnamed D'ontremer, or from beyond the Seas: He was disloyal and unfortunate, for though he endured much affliction, and many unkind fortunes, yet he was not mended in his life by his sufferings, nor had learned to embrace Virtue, whose Beauty appears most fair and comely, when her eyes are filled with tears, making sorrow look with a sweet and lovely countenance: It is that which in a Prince is most glorious, causing him to fix his mind only upon that which may prove beneficial to the Church and State. But this was not the object wherein this Monarch was delighted, so that he was deprived of that excellency which by Virtue is attained. Besides he did degenerate from the blood of Charlemagne, for birth nor adversity did enlarge his narrow thoughts to take pleasure in noble actions: He came came unto the government after a long absence, which made his return more grateful to the Subjects, while his Enemies thought to creep into his affection by the tender of feigned service, especially William Duke of Normandy: thus Prosperity commands counterfeited offers of fidelity.   

Lotharius, the 34. King of France. Anno 954.  depiction of Lotharius  
THis Lotharius succeeded to the Crown the 12. of November, Anno Domini 954. He gave Burgundy and Aquitaine to Duke Hughes, and would have made him Governor of Aquitaine: But Count William defending his right, shut the Gates of Poitiers against him. Hugh's deceased the 16. of June, Anno Domini 956, leaving Hughes Capet, Otho, Odo, and Henry, with whom the King fell into some differences concerning some Castles which he had seized from them. All which were appeased by Bruno Archbishop of Cologne, Uncle to the King, who was sent by the Emperor Otho. After this the King made an Assembly of the Princes and Prelates of France at Soissons, for the surprising of Richard Duke of Normandy, who plotted against the King, but he could not be found.  
In the mean time Arnulph the old Count of Flanders being dead, who before had made a donation of his Lands to King Lotharius, caused his body this year 965. to be transported into Flanders, thereby to receive the submissions of their fidelity. Lotharius Anno Domini 966. espoused Hemina or Emma, Daughter to Lotharius the ●. King of Italy, and Adeleide, Daughter to the Emperor Otho, as also Matilde, Sister of this our Lotharius, was married unto Bernard King of Burgundy. Afterwards the King intending to make Wars upon Richard Duke of Normandy, at the instigation of Thibault Count of Chartres, was enforced to come to an agreement with him. A while after Lotharius wrought with Ranier and Lamhert, sons of the late Count of Monts in Haynaut, to make him a way for the reentry upon the Kingdom of Lorraine, which the Almains detained from him: which was a cause that Otho, to cut off his designs, gave the Lower Lorraine to Charles the brother of Lotharius, to bring him thereby into his disaffection. The King passed with his forces as fare as Aix, where he thought to have surprised the Emperor; who to require him went before Paris, from whence he was notably repulsed: whereupon they came to an accord, and Lorraine continued to Charles, who then added to his Coat of Arms an Arm proceeding out of the clouds. After the death of Otho, King Lotharius falls again upon Lorraine, which he did not long enjoy, because he died immediately after, Anno Domini 985.  
This King's life was a mere blank, wherein no brave actions were inscribed for the example of posterity, being a fruitless branch, and the first that grew out of his stock, excepting his son, who derived from him no sap of virtue, but was also barren in goodness: He did so contemn his brother Charles, whom his Father had left no portion, but his favour, thereby to increase his respect to his eldest brother, so that the Emperor, whose assistance he desired, undertook the quarrel. From whence this Note may be collected, that there is no depending on the favour of Kindred, who look for much reverence, and will do no justice in rewarding desert, which they rather contemn, until Virtue despised breeds open hatred.  
But Charles aided by the Emperor, was undiscreete in his carriage, for the aid received from the Emperor, made him to cleave too fast to the Germans, and disclaim the French, as if kindness had altered his nature, and this change drew on the justly conceived hatred of the French, and thereby overthrew his estate, by carrying too open a show of disaffection for the wrong done by his brother, and righted by the Emperor. Lastly, (as we said) Lewis died, but the remembrance of his Reign survived to his disgrace and ignominy in succeeding ages, leaving his son Charles to be the last King of this second Race.   

Lewis 5. the 35. King of France. Anno 986.  depiction of Lewis V  
AFter the decease of Lotharius, Lewis the fift, his only son, succeeded to the Crown, Anno Domini 986, and was consecrated at Rheimes. The Continuator of Aimoynus writeth that he reigned nine years, as also another Chronicler called Hugh, is of the same opinion. Nevertheless it may be proved by certain testimonies that Lotharius died An. Dom. 985, to whom Lewis succeeded, and that Hugues Capet began not to reign before the year 987, or 988, so that it appears that this could not reign above two years, and was interred at S. Cornelius of Compeigne. Moreover, Glaber testifieth that Lewis married one Blanch which was brought him out of Aquitaine, who finding him not a man, left him, and retired into her Country; which makes a likelihood of that which is written touching his death: moreover, that if she were Daughter to the Duke of Aquitaine, that she by consequence must be Niece to Hugues Capet. This Lewis died (as many are of opinion) in the same manner as his father did, by the means of his Wife Blanch, not leaving issue to succeed him. Odoramus gave him the surname of Do nothing, because he had no leisure to perform any thing memorable by the reason of the brevity of his Reign. Moreover, whilst Charles Duke of Lorraine, was the next by right to succeed him, as being his Father's brother, so is it that Hugues Capet, son of Hugues le Blanc took part against him, pretending that (as many do write) that Lewis had resigned the Crown to him by testament and will. But others are of opinion, that he confiding to the power that he had in France, and to the favour which the Nobility and the popularity of France did bear him, and through the discontent of having a Competitor who was exceedingly beloved and affected of the Almains, and that he was too slow in gaining the succession of the Kingdom fallen to him, and through the ill will he bore him, because he had married the Daughter of Hebert, Count of Troy's, encouraged him to contest against him for the Crown.   

Hugh Capet the 36. King of France. Anno 987.  depiction of Hugh Capet  
HVgh Capet was proclaimed King at Noyan by the Princes, Barons, and Prelates of France, and afterwards anointed at Rheims the third of July, Anno Domini 987, where he caused also his eldest son to be crowned King with him, named Robert, about half a year after, viz. on the first of January. The people, the soldiers, and all the Prelates swore a fealty to Capet against all men, and especially against Charles of Lorraine, who came with an Army to challenge and stoutly make claim to his right by force of Arms in France, for the space of four years, and first made himself sure of Laon by the means of Arnulph, natural son to the late King Lotharius, whither Hugh went to assail him: but he made such a brisk and valiant fully out against him, that he shamefully routed both him and his. After having taken the Castle of Montagu, and pillaged the Territories of Soissons and Rheimes, he retreated to Laon, and the year following he made himself Master & possessor of Rheimes, through the intelligence which he had with the said Arnulph, newly elected Archbishop of that See upon the decease of Albero. Whereupon Hugh using the same passages upon Charles, dealt underhand with Ascelin or Anselme, Bishop of La●●, who made a way for him and his Army into Laon, where Charles was taken, and carried Prisoner to Orleans with Agnes his wife, by whom during the time of his imprisonment he had two children, but all four of them died prisoners. By this prize the Wars against Charles being ended, and the Cities of Laon and Rheimes retaken, yea, and the Duchy of France being incorporated to the domains of the Crown, and the City of Paris beginning again to take upon it the name of a City Royal, Hugh caused a Synod to be held at Rheimes, whereby Arnulph was deposed, and Gilbert, Tutor to Robert the son of Hugh, was substituted in his place; whereof the Pope not content, caused a Council to be called in France, by the decree whereof Gilbert was dismissed, and Arnulph restored. Hugh deceased the 22. of November, Anno Dom. 996, and as others report, 998. He was funebrially inhumed at St. Denis in France by his Ancestors.  
This King was the first of the Race of the succeeding Kings, being ordained to bring the Kingdom to a flourishing estate, by so many great and eminent virtues meeting in his Person: He was surnamed Capet, either from the bigness of his Head, from the Latin word Capitosus, or because when he was young, he would pluck off his companions Caps, foreshowing that he should afterward pluck off King's Crowns; for when matters were by policy and the affection of French advancing his desires fitly prepared, he got possession of the Crown, though claimed by Charles, son to Lothaire, and with a compliment of being unwilling to leave the Crown to any particular Nobleman, lest he should seem to be preferred before the rest equal in desert, his son Robert propounded to their Election, was also crowned, being a wise and temperate Prince, that gave much apparent hope of making the Kingdom happy in his fruitful progeny, pledges of his virtues, some whereof were expressed in this saying: That he was a son without frowardness, a companion without jealousy, and a King without ambition; which was a sufficient testimony of the goodness of his disposition, and that he was wholly bend to those things which were truly honourable, applying his best help for maintaining the general good of his Subjects, whereby he gained the love and obedience of all men; and afterward he proved an exact Picture of his father's great and perfect virtues.   

Robert 1. the 37. King of France. Anno 997.  depiction of Robert I  
RObert succeeded his Father Hugh, Anno Domini 996. Coming to the Crown he caused Melun to be surrendered to Count Buchard, which Count Odo of Chartres, son of Berthe, sister of Raoul of Burgundy, had possessed. After the death of his wife Lutgarde, he married Berthe the widow of Eudon, Count of Char●tres, whom he after dismissed, because she was his Godmother; and took Constance, daughter of William, Count of Arles, and of Blanch, daughter of Foulques, Count of Anjou. At the same time Henry, Duke of Burgundy, Uncle by the Father to this Robert, died without heirs. By reason whereof Otho Guillaume, surnamed the stranger, pretending a right to that Duchy, by cause of the adoption which Henry had made of him, made himself very strong in Auxerre, which was taken from him by the King, with the Duchy of Burgundy. Otho the son of Charles, Duke of Lorraine being deceased, the Emperor Henry caused Count Godfrey of Ardenne to be invested, notwithstanding that Geberge and Hermengard● Sisters of Otho, married to Lambert and Aubert Counts of Brabant and Nemures, would have put them in possession; which was a cause that the King instigated Baldwin Count of Flanders, against the Emperor, who siezed upon the Cities, which are upon the River of Escaut, as Valenciennes, Dinam, and others. Anno Domini 1015. the King took away the City and County of Sens from Count Ramard, surnamed the Wicked, by reason of the insolences and violences committed upon the Archbishop thereof, and was confiscated to the Crown. Afterwards he compelled the Burgundians to return to their obedience, who Anno Domini 1016 were revolted: and after, having pacified the quarrel between Richard Duke of Normandy, and Odo Count of Chartres, who were in great wars, he went to treat with Henry the Emperor concerning matters of Religion, and their Dominions and Royalties, in a Parliament which they held together at jovy upon Cheer. And after having also appeased the quarrel between ●udes Count of Campagne and Chart●●s, and Foulque, Count of Anjou, he deceased at Melun, Anno Domini 1031 having reigned about three and thirty years, and lies interred at St. Denis in France.  
This Robert in his whole Reign expressed much wisdom; for as his father to settle the Crown on his progeny, had caused him to be installed, so he Crowned Hugh his eldest son at Campagne; and after his decease, preferring virtue before eldership, elected the younger to be King, being of a more Royal disposition, and the Duchy of Normandy was by Will left unto Robert.  
When he had thus ordered his affairs, and pleased his Subjects with his happy reign, having got enough Fame and Honour, he died, leaving him in the remembrance of Posterity, this opinion deeply settled: That the Kingdom was happy in his government, and blessed in his wisdom, resolution, peaceableness, and continency, most eminent virtues, like Stars shining in the Sphere of Majesty; but with a dim brightness in respect of his piety, whence the other derived their borrowed light.  
In the praise of the holy Martyrs he composed a Hymn, beginning thus: O constantia Martyrum mirabilis; and was highly pleased, that his wife, with whose name the former words had some agreement, had an humorous affect●ion to approve his writings, then generally applauded.  Immensum in Regis gloria calcar habet. 
In hope of praise the Muse's tune their strange;  
And hope of Glory maketh virtuous Kings.   

Henry 1. the 38. King of France. Anno 1031.  depiction of Henry I  
THis Henry succeeded his father Robert, Anno Domini 1031. notwithstanding that his Mother Constance would have advanced her younger son Robert to the Crown by the favour of Baldwin, Count of Flanders, and end Count of Champagne. But being come upon them by the aid of the Duke of Normandy, he constrained his brother to content himself with the Duchy of Burgundy. A while after Robert Duke of Normandy visiting the City of Jerusalem, died at Nice in Bythinia: by reason whereof Maugier, Archbishop of Roven, and William Lord of Arques his brothers, maintaining themselves to be true Heirs, raised great Wars against William the bastard-sonne of the said Duke, by him instituted to be his Heir, which was a cause that the King sent the said William of Arques, accompanied with a great number of the Nobility of Normandy and France to the Wars of Italy: from whence they were recalled by George Maniaces, Lieutenant for the Emperor of Greece to Poville and Calabria, to employ them for the recovery of Sicily, which the Saracens had now possessed upon promise of giving them a part. About the year 1042, Thibault Count of Chartres, and Stephen Count of Troy's, fell into a quarrel with the King Henry, whereupon he first fell upon Stephen, whom he in a Battle overthrew. Afterwards he deprived Galleran, Count of Meulan (who took their part) of all his lands, and annexed them to the Crown, and encouraged Godfrey, surnamed Martel, to make War upon Thibault whom he took prisoner, and enforced him to surrender up the Town of Tours for his ransom.  
After this the King went to visit the Emperor Henry at Mets, where they confirmed the Alliance made between them, which he broke by supporting Thibault against the King, who following the example of his Father, resigned his Crown to his eldest son Philip, Anno Dom. 1059, being aged 7. years, and caused him to be crowned at Rheimes the 29. of May the same year: the year following King Henry deceased, leaving the young King and another son named Hugues, under the tuition of Baldwin, Count of Flanders. He lies at St. Denis.  
This King's reign was somewhat troubled at the beginning to maintain his Title to the Crown, given him by his Father, but belonging of right to his eldest brother, which bred swelling thoughts between the brethren, the Mother maintaining the elders right. An Army was prepared to end the difference, whether the Father's gift, or right of inheritance were a better Title; but the cause was tried by the Sword, for Robert, whose right was then in question, content with tame patience to lose it, and so prevent the effusion of blood, by his mild disposition doing himself injustice. Whereupon agreement being made between Henry and Robert, the Armies returned, and peace was between the brothers concluded. Afterward when he following therein his Father's example, had seen his son firmly seated in the Throne, Death discovered the love of his Subjects, expressed in their mourning for his decease, and was most honourably interred with the rest of his Predecessors, having all the funeral Rites and Ceremonies which belonged to so high a Monarch, to set forth the excellency of his Person. His Reign begun with some blustering troubles, being opposed on every side, which soon ended, and his subjects felt the beams of favour shining most gently on them, when this Sun of Majesty was ready to descend and set, which gave them great cause of lamentation and sorrow for his departure out of this world.   

Philip 1. the 39 King of France. Anno 1060.  depiction of Philip I  
PHilip succeeded his Father Henry Anno Domini 1060, of whom Baldwin, Count of Flanders, took charge in regard of his tender infancy, until he came to riper years: He perceiving that the Gascognes' would mutiny, led his forces against them, under pretence of going against the Saracens, and by this means he dissipated the beginning of the seditions which were pullulating. A whi●● after Edward King of England died without issue, having by will instituted William Duke of Normandy, heir and successor to his Crown, which in vain was opposed by Harald son of Godwin; because he was slain in a battle which William gave him. Baldwin, Regent of France, deceased about the year 1067, leaving the County of Flanders to Baldwin of Monts his eldest son; at which times King Philip might be at the age of 15. or 16. years. He married Berthe, Daughter of the said Baldwin, by whom having two children he divorced her, and betook himself to the Wife of Foulques, Count of Anion, whom in the end he dismissed, and returned to Berthe. Anno Domini 1095. Pope Vrban convocated a Council in November at Clermont en Anvergne, wherein the Pope upon the complaint of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Peter the Hermit excited the greatest part of the Princes of France, of whom were principal, Hugh the Great, brother to King Philip; Robert Duke of Normandy, brother to the King of England; Godfrey of Bovillon, (who in the year 1089, had the Duchy of Lorraine given him) with his two brothers Baldwin and Eustachius, together with the Counts of Flanders and Tholouze, of Bourges and Bloys, to go to Jerusalem, which was taken in the year of our lord, 1099, the 15. of July, and was given to Godfrey of Lorraine, to defend and keep it as Governor under the Title of a King. After that he took in Palestine, after having slain above five thousand Egyptians in a battle, and seized upon the Port of Jaffe, making hereby an end of the War. Philip at the age of 57, deceased at Melun the 25. of July, Anno Dom. 1109, and lieth interred at St. Benet's upon the Loire. William the bastard Duke of Normandy, having been long sick of a great swelling in his belly, this King Philip intending to make War against him, sent him word that he had lain long in Childbed, and that if he might know of his uprising, he would provide lights against his Churching. To which scoff the Duke returned this answer; That he would come in person into France, and have a solemn Mass sung at his Churching, and that for Lights, he would provide a thousand wooden Torches without wax, and a thousand Lances tipped with steel to fire those Torches, meaning by the Torches, Houses, Towns, and Villages; by the Lances, Soldiers to set them on fire.  
The dissension betwixt England began in this King's reign, and upon this occasion: William the Conqueror's sons, Robert and Henry, came to the King at Conflans upon Oise, and playing there at Chess with Lewis King Philip's son, the young Princes fell out, and words drew on blows, for Lewis called Henry the son of a Bastard, and Henry strooke at him with the Chessboard, and had slain him if Robert had not stayed his fury. Afterward Robert and Henry fled into Normandy, where they complained of wrong, and incensed many to take their part. Afterward natural affection made the Fathers embrace their children's quarrel, invading one another's Territories, and maintaining hot wars. But to conclude, the memorable War undertaken to recover the Holy-land from the Saracens, was now begun under the conduct of Godfrey of Bologne, who being chosen King of Jerusalem, refused the Diadem, saying, It is not fit for any Christian Prince to wear a Crown of Gold, since Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, did wear one made of Thornes.   

Lewis the 6. the 40. King of France. Anno 1109.  depiction of Lewis VI  
THis Lewis the Gross succeeded to the Crown after Henry his Father, and was solemnly Crowned at Orleans by Gislebert, Archbishop of Sens, Anno Domini 1109 He first began to quell the pride an● power of the great Lords of France who countenanced by the King of England, arose up against him: but in the end he accomplished his designs. In those times the Englishmen moved their first wars upon the French, in the behalf of Count Thibault of Campagne and Bloys. But the King in revenge commanded William the son of Robert Duke of Normandy, and sent him, accompanied with Baldwin, Count of Flanders, and Foulques, Count of Anjou, with an army to surprise them; whereupon there was a peace made between them and the English, to quit Cisors to William the son of Henry. Baldwin Count of Flanders, being wounded in the Conquest of Normandy, went to end his life in Flanders; who for want of issue instituted Charles, son of Conutus, King of Denmark, to be his heir. In the mean time the King being advertised that the Emperor came in aid of the English, prevented ●is design, and forced him to retreat. I● forced also the Count of A●vergne, and the Viscount of Polignac, to give satisfaction to the Bishop of Clermon; and at his return he notified to William Duke of Aquitaine, that only Avergne but also Aquitaine were in tenure of the Crown of France. The County of Flanders was in question between Arnulph the Dane, Baldwin Count of Haynaut, and William of Ipres, by the death of Charles, who was slain in S. Donatus, in Bruges; and by the King it was adjudged to Robert Duke of Normandy, by right of consanguinity; whereupon wars ensued. After that the King caused his son Philip to be Crowned at Rheimes, the fourteenth day of April, 1129. the King of England being in presence▪ but two years after he died, by means of a Hog that came under his Horse feet, and frighted the Horse, that he threw him on the ground. Lewis his brother was Crowned in his place by Pope Jnnocent the five and twentieth of October. 1131 Lewis the Gross deceased at Paris, Anno Dom. 1137. leaving six Children.  
Baldwin, Earl of Mons in Henault, complaining unto Lewis the Gross, that he had wrongfully given the Earledom of Flanders, which was his right, unto Duke William of Normandy, and desiring to have leave granted to maintain his Title by Combat. The King said, You must combat then against me; for the signory which you claim is my right and inheritance. This King also in a Battle, being severed from his Soldiers, was likely to be taken Prisoner by an English Knight, who laying hold on the raines of his Horse, cried aloud, The King is taken: whereupon the King valiantly killed the Knight, and as he fell down, said: One man alone cannot in Chess play, give the King the Mate.  
At a certain siege, being forsaken of his Soldiers, in regard of the unseasonableness of the weather, and constrained to retire, he said with a brave kind of anger; That an honest and honourable death was better than a shameful and dishonourable life. The last action of his reign was the marrying of his son unto the daughter and heir of William Duke of Normandy; by this alliance to settle a more firm peace, and make his son strong in friends, while his younger sons were compelled to depend on the mere favour of their elder brother; on whom the estate being settled, they might thereby be instructed to show unto him a willing obedience; for equality breeds discord and grumbling; but an acknowledged dependence on another procures respect; for necessity makes brave minds glad to be obliged.   

Lewis the 7. the 41. King of France. Surnamed Augustus. Anno 1137.  depiction of Lewis VII  
THis Lewis undertook the government the same Month wherein his Father died, and married Elinor, the only daughter of William Duke of Guienne, and Poictou. Afterwards he made war upon the Count of Vermendois, because following the censures of the Pope, he repudiated Peronelle, sister to Queen Elinor, that he might re-entertaine his former wife, whom before he had divorced. And taking the Town of Vitry, in Parthois, he put to the sword and fire more than 3500 persons: for the expiation of which fact, St. Bernard advised him to make a voyage with his Army into the Holy Land, for the succour of Palestine. Wither he arriving with his army, he had but an ill trick put upon him by the Emperor of Greece: Moreover, perceiving his Army much affoibled by the assaults of the Turks, he saved himself in the town of Attalia, and came to Antioch, where the King conceived a great distaste against his Wife, who had accompanied him all that usage. Afterwards he joined forces with Conradus the Emperor, for the beleaguering of Damietta. But that siege took no effect, through the envy of the old Christians there, conceived against the new-comers; which was a cause that the Emperor, and the King retreated each to his own home, where the King was in danger to have been surprised by the Emperor of Greece; but he was rescued by George, Lieutenant of the King of Sicily. The King upon his return divorced his Wife, who married with Henry Count of Anjou, and Normandy, who should succeed to the Crown of England, bearing with him the Counties Poictou and Aquitaine. Afterwards the King took to wife Constance, the daughter of Alphonsus, King of Castille, who being deceased he took Adele, or Ale, (alias) Alice, daughter of the Count of Champagne, by whom, An. Dom. 1165. he had a son named Philip, and surnamed Deodoctus: to whom, the King grown aged, resigned his Crown, notwithstanding he was but 14. years of age, and was Crowned at Rheimes, An. Dom. 1179. King Lewis deceased the 19 or the 29. of September; although some report upon the 29. of the same Month, or August, An. Dom. 1180. He lies interred in the Abbey of St. Barbeau, which he had formerly built.  
In his reign the Holy Land, which the Christians had taken, seemed to be utterly conquered, remaining under the Christians obedience, until the unhappy death of Godfrey of Bovillon; for when the Commander was gone, whose unspicious good fortune put life into this action, the War did not prosper, yet before his death he encountered an Army of six thousand men, which the Turks had brought into Palestine, and came off with very good success, and had so proceeded, if his Death had not prevented, the good fortune of Christendom. For the name of so great a Warrior conducting an Army, prepares the way for conquest, as opinion of victory; and learning is a great Engine in policy to bring about matters. This King lost some reputation by his unchaste Wife Elinor, who following him to the Holy Land, blotted her Fame with a sensual imputation, loving Saladin a jester better than the King her Husband; thereby showing that lust is base, and doth not regard either birth or honour. Yet Lewis (showing the virtuousness of his mind, and Nobleness of disposition) brought her back in his own Ship, because he would not be derided by any foreign Prince: but being safely landed, he was much oppressed with grief, in stead of casting her in the River, which she had deserved, he covered her shame and his own by a divorce granted by a general counsel, punishing her by showing too much mercy, while he sought only to be freed from the disgrace.   

Philip 2. surnamed Augustus, the 42. King of France. Anno 1180.  depiction of Philip II  
AFter the decease of Lewis 7, Philip 2. succeeded to the Kingdom Anno Domini 1180, out of which he chased the Jews then there, and by his prowess and conquests acquired the name of Augustus and Conqueror. He married Isabelle (or) Alice, Daughter of Baldwin 4, Count of Flanders, in favour of which Marriage he resigned the County of Artois: but afterwards taking upon him the cause of Lionor the Inheritrix of Elizabeth, (or) Mabel, Countess of Flanders, in the Counties of Vermandois and Valois, against the Count Flamend, who laid claim to the said Counties, as being of the ancient stock of Flanders, he took only that of Vermandois, leaving that of Valois to the said Flamend, whereupon he being in an indignation, went and performed homage to the King of Germany, the eldest son of the Emperor, for the County of Flanders. Richard also, Duke of Aquitaine, second son of the King of England, began to dis-acknowledge the King: whereupon the King made war against him, and took some Towns from him; but they were immediately accorded by the Pope's Legate, by whose persuasion they entered a League upon an expedition for the Holy-land. But this agreement was incontinently broken upon new differences which happened between the Kings of England and France; during which, the King took into his possession the Counties of Man's and Tours, whereupon King Henry of England took a conceit, and died in the Castle of Chinon: whereupon Richard his son undertaking the Kingdom, married Adele Sister to King Philip, and they both went to the Holy Land: where arriving they took the Town of Acre the twelfth of July, 1191. After, upon some jealousies conceived between them, Philip returned into France, leaving the charge of his Army to the Duke of Burgundy. And because Philip, Count of Flanders was deceased, the King retained to himself the County of Artois, which he gave to Prince Lewis. Whereupon England made wars against him, which were ended by the death of Richard; to whom John being substituted, and losing the battle at Bonnivel, the King caused his son Lewis to be proclaimed King of England, which he afterwards left to Henry the son of John. After that King Philip sent his son Lewis against the Albigeois, and as the said Philip held a Parliament at Nantes, he deceased of a Fever, in the 43. year of his Reign, in the Month of July, Anno Domini 1223.  
This King being to join battle with the Emperor Otho, having caused a gilt Bowl to be filled with Wine and sops of bread, he said; Princes and Lords of France, here with me assembled, let every one that is resolved to live and dye with me this day, show his resolution by taking a sop out of the Bowl of Wine, and eating it as I have done: which words being spoken, the Cup was presently emptied, and afterward the battle being joined, the King got the victory. Being informed by his Courtiers that some Royal Jurisdictions belonging to the Crown were usurped by the Clergy, his answer was, I had rather connive at some petty injuries, than commence Suits against the Semitears of God and his Church. This King having put away his Queen Gelberge, the King of Denmark complained to the Pope of this wrong done to his Sister, and a day of hearing was appointed before the Pope's Legate in the Bishop's Hall at Paris: Philip's Case was well defended by his Advocates, but when none appeared to plead for the Queen, a young man unknown steps forth of the press, and demands audience; and having delivered the truth, and pleaded against the King for the Queen, and when his Speech was ended, he returned into the press again, and was never seen more, neither was it ever known from whence he came. The amazed Judges remitted the Cause to the Council, and King Philip did ride presently to Bois de Vinennes, where Gelberge was confined, and having embraced her, received her into favour, and lived with her afterward in nuptial love. And hereby it may be discerned, that no man can bring Nature to any perfection, for this worthy Prince was much troubled in mind, and divided in his thoughts by loving this Gelberge, whom he could not forsake, for she had got such strong possession in his affection, that he could not turn her remembrance out of his heart, passed away to her by deed of gift. Thus he that could overcome his Enemies, could not conquer his passions. He reigned 44. years, and by his virtue governed the State with such wisdom, that all his troubles had a happy fair end; from whence this conclusion may be drawn, That a virtuous King is in the end happy, howsoever he be compassed in with difficulties.   

Lewis the 8. and 43. King of France. Anno 1223.  depiction of Lewis VIII  
LEwis, the eldest son of Philip, succeeded to the Crown, Anno Domini 1223. He, together with his wife Blanch, sister to the King of Castille, was Crowned at Rheimes, the 6. of August, to whom afterwards the Surname of Montpensier was given, because he died there: In the beginning of his reign, he renewed the ancient consideration and alliance which was between France and Almany, and upon his return he led his Army into Guienne; where in a set battle he overthrew the English, whereof Savary of Maleon had the command: by means whereof the French took the towns of Niot, S. John D' Angely, and Rochel, leaving nothing of the Country of Guienne, on this side the River Garonne, unreduced to the obedience of the King. Insomuch, that all the Lords as well of Pojctou, as Lymosin, and Perigort, came to swear him fealty and obedience. Amanry also, son to the Count of Montfort, came to resign into the hands of the King of France the right which his Father had left him in the Countries of Alby, Languedoc, Agenois, Querry, and the County of Tholouze, whom in recompense he made his Constable, knowing him to be a man capable of such a charge. The year following Richard, Brother to the King of England, besieged Rochel; but hearing of the coming of the French Army, he passed over Dardonne with his forces, and so into England to his brother. The year following, the King, with the greatest part of his Nobility, upon the encouragement of the Pope's Legate, addressed himself to go against the Albigenses and Tholosans, to encounter whom, he led his Army, and encamped on Witsun Eve, before Avignon, which he took: passing further, he received the keys of all the Towns, Places, and Castles of Languedoc, as fare as within four leagues of Tholouze: where, through the incommodity of the winter, and maladies which much weakened his Army, he retreated and wintered in France, with an intent of returning thither the Spring following to accomplish his enterprise. But his death prevented him at Montpensier in Avergne; the twelfth day of November, 1226. leaving Lewis, Charles, Alphonse, and Robert his sons, all very young, and in their minority of years.  
This King reigned but three years, in whom Vice had struck no reproach, nor Virtue had made him famous; whereby it seems that his mind was of a middle temper, not so poor is to become impious or wicked, nor so well bend and inclined to noble actions, that he would strive to get Fame by his own virtue; therefore he was only famous in this, That he was Son to an excellent Father, and Father to an excellent son.  
In his reign the Counsel of Lateran was assembled, whither resorted all the chief Bishops of Christendom, and Ambassadors sent from Kings and Princes.  
After Lewis had subdued the Albigeois, and left Governor to suppress any rebellion which should happen, for the affection of conquered people is treacherous, who do watch only an opportunity to revolt; he came to Mount Pensier, in the year 1225. October the seventh, and there resigned his life and Sceptre, leaving a fair progeny, having four sons, who were flourishing Branches of the Royal stem, the eldest whereof was heir unto his Father's Crown, but inherited more virtue than his Father gave him by natural descent. The Flemings were now much disquieted by an Imposture, pretending that he was their Prince; some were drawn to believe his claim, until by putting him to death the people were better satisfied, and clearly discerned that his right was mere fixion, maintained by boldness, as that Scene was, wherein Parkin Werbecke in England played the same part.   

S. Lewis 9 the 44. King of France. Anno 1226.  depiction of Lewis IX  
THis Lewis the 9 at the age of 12. years, succeeded his Father, An. Dom. 1226. He was consecrated at Rheims by the Archbishop of Sens in the absence of him of Rheims. Blanch taking of possession of her son Lewis, confirmed herself Regent of the Kingdom with the consent of the States: whereupon the Princes in a rage proclaimed Philip Count of Bologne, Uncle to the King by the Father's side, Regent of France, which was a cause of great dissensions. She brought through the sweetness of her words, Robert Count of Dreux into the King's obedience. But the Duke of Bretagne, and the Count of Champagne, with the King of England, were enforced to acknowledge the King, on condition that the Breton should do homage to the King for his Duchy, whereupon he was surnamed Mauclarke. He having outgrown his minority, Anno Dom. 1234. espoused Magaret the eldest Daughter of Raymund Berenger, Count of Provence, and after erected the Country of Artois into a County or Earldom, which he gave to his brother Robert, who was the first Earl thereof. He made a voyage into the Holy Land, where he took Damietta after he had overthrown the Mamelucks: and from thence marching to beleaguer Massaure, the plague grew amongst his Army, which caused the Sultan of Egypt to charge him so strongly, that he was taken, and most of his Army slain, nevertheless he was freed upon the re-delivery of Damietta.  
About that time Blanch, Mother to the King, deceased, which caused the King immediately to return into France, after he had composed all matters in Palestine. Being returned, he studied to polish and embellish his Kingdom with good and holy Laws. He made an accord with the King of England, who by that renounced all the right which he pretended to the Kingdom of France, and the Duchy of Normandy. About that time Charles, brother to the King, conquered both the Sicilyes, whereof he was crowned King, An. Dom. 1266. The King Lewis made a second voyage for the recovery of the Holy Land, together with the King of England. He went first into Africa, where he took Carthage, and at the siege of Tunes he departed this life, Anno Domini 1270. He was canonised after his death for the holiness of his life. He founded the holy Chapel at the Palace at Paris, wherein he placed many holy Relics.  
This King being asked by his Lords what Title of honour he would assume, as the Roman Emperors and Kings of France in remembrance of their Acts and Victories had formerly done, he answered, My greatest victory was obtained against the Devil, when I was baptised in the Church of Poissi: and therefore it shall be my greatest honour to be called Lewis of Poissi. His familiar Letters, wherein he did not entitle himself King of France, but Lewis of Poissi, being blamed by a private friend, he said, I am like a Twelfe-tide King, chosen with a Bean, and keeping his Feast in the Evening: intimating thereby his Election to another Crown in the Kingdom of Heaven, which second Coronation should be in the Evening and end of his life. Having caused a swearer and blasphemer to be branded on the lips with a hot Iron, whereat the people murmured: he said he would undergo the same punishment, conditionally that oaths and blasphemies might be no more used in his kingdom. He sitting in Counsel, or beginning any action, would according to his Mother's instruction in his infancy, bless himself with the sign of the Cross. And lastly, he gave unto his son Philip these instructions at his death. My Son, love God with all thy heart, with all thy strength, and with all thy soul; offend not God in any case, suffer any torment rather than sin: Bear all adversity patiently, acknowledging that God hath sent it unto thee deservedly: Make thy Confession often to some Minister of the Church; hear diligently the divine service sung in the Church of God: Keep the good customs of thy Kingdom carefully, abolishing those which are evil: Impose no Taxes on thy Subjects but upon great occasion. Favour those that fear GOD, love Justice, and hate Covetousness: Let not thy Judge● be impartial against thy Subjects: Keep the Cities and Towns gotten by thy Predecessors; prefer good and sufficient men to Benefices and Offices: Be an Example to thy Subjects, moderate the expenses of thy Court, and so God bless thee. These were the good instructions which this godly Monarch gave unto his Son for the leading of an upright life, and to abandon all worldly delights and pleasures, so as he might both please God, and be a pattern to his inferiors.   

Philip 3. the 45. King of France. Anno 1271.  depiction of Philip III  
AFter the decease of S. Lewis, Philip the third, surnamed the Hardy, his eldest son, having been proclaimed King in the Camp before Tunis in afric, took his journey in his return through Italy, directly to Viterbe, to make an agreement between the Cardinals, who in two years' space were in a dissension upon the Election of a Pope. He was Crowned at Rheimes by the Bishop of Soissons, the thirtieth of August, Anno Dom. 1271. He after incorporated the County of Tholouse to the Crown, upon the decease of the Count Alphonse his uncle. He went to aid Gerard of Cassebonne, his Subjects, against the Counts of Armigna and Foix, by reason whereof, the Count of Foix submitted himself to his mercy. He restored the Country of Navarre to the obedience of joane, daughter of the late Henry King of Navarre deceased. The King married Mary, the daughter of Henry Duke of Brabant, who was suspected to have poisoned Lewis, the eldest son of the King, by his first wife Isabelle of Arragon: She was found innocent by the report of two Bishops who were sent to a Nun, or rather a Sorceress, to know the truth. The year after Peter De la Bresche, great Chamberlain of France, and superintendent of the Finances, and affairs of the King, was hanged, being accused and convicted, for having discovered the secrets of France to the King of Spain, together with the death of the King's son. Anno Domini 1282. the Sicilian Evensong were executed upon the Frenchmen, upon an Easter day, or (as others report) on the thirtieth of March, or thirteenth of April: whereupon Charles, Uncle to the King, offered battle to Peter of Arragon, the author thereof, but he refused it. Afterwards the King having caused joane, the only daughter of the late Henry, King of Navarre, to be married to his eldest son Philip, he marched with his Army for the Conquest of Arragon, which by the Pope had been given to Charles de valois, the second son of Philip, who conquered the County of Russillon; after that the City of Gennes. And after that, having in an Embuscado slain the King of Arragon, he forced the Town of Gironne to be yielded up. He went to conclude his Fate at the Town of Perpignan, of a Malady which surprised him in his Camp, Anno Domini 1285. the 6. of October.  
This King, as it appears in the whole course of his life, would engage himself in all businesses, and was therefore called the Hardy; but his desperate Father would not undertake his Neighbours quarrels, nor seek to make between them any agreement, unless it might be done by safe and quiet means. The reign of this King was much disturbed by the wars maintained by Peter and Roger for the Isle of Sicily, and after much effusion of blood, Charles died, and also Peter, though politic, could not deceive death, but having received a great overthrow, concluded his Act of life with grief and sorrow. At last this King was by Roger, Admiral of Arragon, friend unto Peter set upon him, lying sick a bed at Pepignan; yet in extremity he expressed a noble courage, and with his sick weak voice so encouraged his Soldiers, that Roger was droven out of Pepignan, the City held by Philip so distempered with this alarm, that he grew sick and died the fifteenth of October, two months after Peter, Pope Martin the fourth dying the same year, 1286. to show great Princes, that their chief designs are crossed by death.  
It was now decreed in a Counsel at Lions, that the Cardinal's meeting after the Pope's death, should not come out of that Conolme until they had chosen the Pope, which begun upon occasion of the tedious Election of the former Pope, and the Decree is still observed. Thomas Aquinas now died, being a subtle disputer: But Bonaventure, John Duns, called Scot, and Gabriel Biel succeeded, and were famous scholars.  
And to conclude, he was a Prince borne for a testimony to that obscure age, and for corrupted times, to be a pattern to all Kings and Princes of religion, equity, clemency, wisdom, valour, magnanimity, patience, and constancy: to love piety, justice, order and peace, to join the love of sanctity and modesty of manners, with Arms and State. Having showed that it is very sitting for a King to be a good Christian, a good warrior, a good husband, a good father, a good governor, a good justier, and to know how to make war and peace. That it is very necessary to join unto the Majesty Royal, piety, clemency, and authority to gain the low respect and obedience. And lastly, that the best guard, and most assured revenue of a Prince, is the love of his Subjects. Thus he was worthy of that venerable name, wherewith posterity hath justly honoured him, being the Honour of virtue.   

Philip 4. the 46. King of France. Anno 1286.  depiction of Philip IV  
PHilip 4. surnaming himself The Fair, King of Navarre, succeeded his Father, An. Dom. 1286. After that he had withdrawn his Army from Parpignan, he was crowned at Rheims the sixth of January. He caused the Palace to be built at Paris: at that time Edward, King of England, pretending to lead his Army to the aid of the Town of Acre, which the Saracens had now beleaguered, made some incursions upon the Sea-townes of Normandy, thinking to have surprised Rochel: whereupon ensued the second War which the French had against the English, (Hear the French Writers show themselves most shamefully partial and false, yet I am bound to follow my Authors, they being of that Nation) who notwithstanding their alliance with the Emperor Adolphus, were valiantly repulsed as well by Charles of Valois, where the Lord of St. John was taken; as by Robert of Artois, who gained the victory upon the fresh Army, which Edmund, brother to the King of England, had led to Bayonne: yea, and the Count of Flanders, who declared himself on the English party, lost the battle at Furnes against the Count of Artois, who went to join forces with the French who besieged Lisle: and the Lords of Mont Morency and Harcourt took the Town of Dover. The English perceiving that, demanded a Truce, which was converted to a peace, by the Marriage of Madam Marguerite of France, Daughter of King Philip, with the King of England.  
Afterwards the Emperor Albert and this King made an accord between them for the conservation of their kingdoms against all men. A while after, the Pope being much moved against the King, sent a Bull into France by the Archbishop of Narbona, interdicting the King, which Bull was burnt in the Court of the Palace. At that time the Flemings slew all the French Garrisons; whereupon the King being enraged, sent his Army to Courtrac, which was by them defeated. Whilst the King sent the Lords, Tarra a Colonian, and Nogareth with 2000 Horse into Italy, they put the Pope in such a terror, that he died: The King also took such a revenge upon the Flemings near to the Mount of Poville, that he overthrew 36000. of them. After that, the King having suppressed the Knight's Templars, and causing James de Moulay or Beavieu, General of that Order, deceased at Fontainebleau, An. Dom. 1314, and lies inhumed at St. Denis.  
This King being persuaded to take revenge on a Bishop who had underhand strooke fire to kindle the tinder of contention between him and the Pope, he said: That it was more noble in a Prince to save, than kill; to pardon, than to persecute; and to forgive and remit, rather than to revenge: for saith he, It must be of necessity that all things which angry men do, must needs be full of blindness and necessity, because it is no easy matter for a man troubled with envy, to have the use of Reason; and whatsoever is without Reason; is without Art. It behooveth us therefore to take reason as our guide in all our actions, and to remove these passions of envy and revenge, for they ought not to rest in a wise man's breast: Yet he was much affronted by Pope Boniface, commanding him by his Bull to secure the Tartar, which the King, engaged in many affairs, refusing to do, the Bishop sent by the Pope, told him: That if the King would not obey the Pope, he would deprive him of his Realm. But afterward two Gentlemen employed by the King, seized on the Pope in his Palace-Hall at Anagma, and carried him to Rome, where he grew mad, and died Thirty five days after he was taken, and had this Epitaph made by common Fame in his disgrace: He entered his Popedom like a Fox, he reigned like a Lion, and died like a Dog.   

Lewis the 10. the 47. King of France, surnamed Hutin. Anno. 1315.  depiction of Lewis the X  
THis Lewis the tenth, already by his Mother King of Navarre, Count of Brye, and Champagne, succeeded his Father, Anno Domini 1315. His Kingdom from the beginning was marvellously troubled with mutinies and popular seditions; and for that cause he was surnamed Hutin, which in old language imports mutiny and quarrels. Enguran De Marigny Count of Longue Ville, was accused before the King, by Charles of Valois, the King's Uncle, for having ill governed the Finances, charged the people with many impositions and taxes, and infinite confusions; also for having taken money of the Flemings to grant them a peace to the disadvantage of the King: wherefore he was hanged upon the Gallows of Paris, which himself had caused to be built.  
Afterwards the King caused himself to be anointed, and Crowned at Rheimes, upon the Feast of the Assumption of the B. Virgin: then he led his Army against the Flemings, whom he forced to raise and forsake the siege of L'Isle. And at his return he seated the Court of Parliament at Paris, to the end, that the pleaders should not be anymore incommodated by so often removing it. The year following the Count of Flanders came to visit the King at Pontoise, to treat of a peace with him. In the interim, Lewis Count of Navers, his son, would seize upon Flanders, if the Flemings would have been content therewith, which was a cause that his Father returned after that he had promised the King to ratify to the Flemings that which he had treated with him. Upon this the King was surprised with a Malady at Bois De Vincennes, whereof he died the fifteenth of june, in the eighteenth month of his reign, leaving his second wife Clemence great with Child, who was delivered of a son the foureteenth of November, who was baptised john, who lived above eight days, there remaining none of his Line, but joane, whom he had by his first wife, the daughter of Robert Duke of Burgundy: by whom, Eudes, Duke of Burgundy, her Uncle, would lay claim to the Crown: but Philip the Tall, brother to the late King Lewis, opposing the Laws and Customs of France, in right of his Niece caused the Crown to be adjudged unto him.  
Lewis the tenth, surnamed Hutin had two Wives, Marguerite, daughter of Robert Duke of Burgundy, by whom he had a daughter named joane, who was married after to Philip Count of Eureux, son to Lewis of France, brother to the late Philip the Fair, and by this means the Kingdom of Navarre entered into the families of the Counts of Eureux: and Clemence sister to Carlobert, King of Hungary, whom at his decease he left with Child of a son who was called john: and although he died an infant, without having been crowned, he hath not been heretofore ranked in the Catalogue of the Kings of France. Nevertheless, seeing that he was truly legitimate, and sole heir to King Lewis Hutin, he deserved the title Royal, and to be inserted to the number of Kings, seeing that dying he was with solemnity, and Regal pomp carried to St. Denis; the Princes, his Uncles, and kindred being present at his Funerals; where he was proclaimed, although dead, King of France, and Navarre. In the mean time that Clemence was with Child, immediately upon the decease of Lewis Hutin, it was ordered by the Court of Parliament, that Mounsieur Philip of France, Count of Poitiers, should be Regent of the Kingdom until the fruit of the Queen (if it were Male) should attain to the maturity of eighteen years: and therefore he he bore in his Arms the Title of Philip Son of the King of France, and Navarre, Regent of the Kingdoms of France, and Navarre. And so the Regency was given to the next Prince of Blood, so that he were the nearest to succeed the Crown. After the death of the said john, who lived but eight days, or at the most but 20 days, (as some do write) there was some dispute amongst the Princes of the kingdom, some maintaining the right to be ill grounded upon joane, daughter to the ●●●e Lewis Hutin: and others resting upon the justice of the Salic Law, which yet was never violated in France, and ordaineth, that there being never an heir Male of a King, the next of Blood, of the Male side, shall come to the Crown, and excludes the daughters and the descendants from them, although they be Males. But in the end the Parliament of the Pairs and Counsel of France, adjudged that Philip the Tall, Uncle to the late john, was the true and lawful heir to the Crown: which was the first debate and difference of the Salic Law.  
The King reigned but an year and an half, thereby to make good the position of Philosophy, Nullum violentum est aeternum; for his government was violent, and therefore could not long continue. Enguerand, accused by Charles Earl of Valois, and made odious to the people by his oppression of them, whereof they are only sensible, was made a Sacrifice and Hanged; but after his execution the Earl of Valois fell into a languishing Consumption, & King Lewis Hutin died suddenly, so that the people began to imagine that Enguerands unjust death was thus revenged on these Princes; which change of their opinion, shows that it was rightly spoken: what the people says, a fool speaks: Therefore it is observable, that good Subjects may be unjustly afflicted, that the people blinded by passion, and discerning not the truth, will undeservedly speak well and ill of the same Action, and the same man. And lastly, that great men, loving not to come to account, may abuse their authority.   

Philip 5. the 48. King of France. Anno 1317.  depiction of Philip V  
THis Philip the 5, surnamed The Tall, the controversy of the right to the Crown being not yet determined between him and his Niece, (Daughter to Lewis Hutin) whom Eudes her Uncle upheld, and maintained her right, marched with an Army every where complete to Rheimes, where he made himself to be anointed King by the Archbishop of that See on the Feast of the Epiphany, Anno Dom. 1317, and after returned to Paris: Wither he summoned Robert Count of Artois, whom he forced to renounce the right which he pretended to that County, whereof he had Vi & Armis, by force and Arms taken possession, to the prejudice of Mahant his Wife's Mother. In the mean time Lewis, Count of Nevers, Son of Robert Count of Flanders, entertained the Flemings to his utmost endeavours in a revolt against the King; who, because he came not to render homage for the Counties which he held in France, was cited to answer for himself before the King: and failing in his appearance, all his possessions were seized for the King. In the end the said Lewis, Count of Nevers, came and submitted himself to the King, and recovered his Countries. After, upon persuasion of the Pope's Legate, there was a peace concluded between the King and the Count of Flanders, the 15. of May, Anno Dom. 1320, insomuch that the said Count did homage for his Lands to the King of France, and accorded that Lewis, the son of Lewis of Nevers, should marry Madam Marguerite, the second Daughter of France, upon condition that he should succeed to the County of Flanders after his Grandfather and Father.  
About the same time the Marriage of Isabelle, the third Daughter to the King, with Guy the Dolphin of Vienna was treated, who not long after succeeded his Father John in Dauphine. The Eldest Daughter was before married to Odo Duke of Burgundy. After that the King quitted all the actions against his Subjects, which some of his Council in abuse of his good nature had put upon and against them. And as he was deliberating to have but one sort of weights and measures, in one and the same species, and also a certain rate and value of moneys, a malady intercepted his designs, by which he ended his days the third of January, An. Dom. 1322.  
He was a Prince of a tractable disposition, and therefore easily corrupted; inclined more to ill than good. The chiefest thing worthy remembrance in his Reign was, that his bad servants presuming on his gentle Nature, laid heavy taxations on the people, who thereupon maintained, and thus he suffering his Authority to be abused by them, showed that although he were great and tall of stature, yet he had but little wit and understanding. A Benedicting Priest and Monk pretentending a voyage to the East, committed many outrages in the East, with a multitude of people by them assembled, and called themselves Shepherds, until they were defeated in Languedoe.  
This Philip would have made one weight and measure throughout his Realm, but it proved but an Eutopian conceit, not to be maintained by Authority or Reason. The Jews which were formerly expelled and driven out of the Kingdom, were now again admitted; but after they endeavoured to bring in an Artificial Plague into the Kingdom, by using the help of Lepers, some were grievously punished, and the rest banished out of France. Lastly, this Kings five year's Reign was Rasa Tabula, a blank Table, wherein Fame hath written no Royal action.   

Charles 4. surnamed the Fair, the 49. King of France. Anno 1322.  depiction of Charles IV  
Charles' the 4, Count of March, brother to Philip the Tall, and to Lewis Hutin, came by the same Law to the Crown, as his brother Philip had done, who left no issue Male to inherit. He was crowned the twelfth of February, Anno Dom. 1322.. He was severe in Justice, giving every man his right; desirous that all should be guided and governed by the Laws and Authority of Magistrates. Following that Norm, he caused Jordan of L'Isle, a great Lord to be attached, who upon accusations of infinite enormities was attainted and convicted: wherefore he was hanged, although he had married the Niece of Pope John 22, and (as others are of opinion) his Stepmother. About that time deceased Lewis Duke of Nevers, the eldest son of Robert Count of Flanders, who died immediately after. By which occasion Robert, the younger son of the said Robert Count of Flanders, entered into a difference with his Nephew Lewis, son of the Count of Nevers: Hereupon the cause was pleaded in the Court of Parliament, which proved of no validity to the good of the Nephew.  
Then began the Wars between the English and French, Anno Dom. 1324, upon the occasion that the Lord of Montpesac would, to the King's prejudice, fortify a Castle in Gascogne, upon the borders of France. Whereupon the King sent Charles of Valois, his Uncle, who so happily acquitted himself of his charge, that he recovered into the King's powers all the Towns and strong holds in Burgundy, which are beyond the River Garonne, except Bourdeaux, Bayonne, and S. Senes. Afterwards having obtained a Truce of the English, he died in December, An. Dom. 1325, as also the King deceased at Bois de Vincennes, the first of March, leaving Madam Joan de Eureux his wife great with Child, who afterwards in the Month of April, 1328. was delivered of a Daughter called Blanch. He was the first King that ever permitted to the Pope the Decimations of the Churches of France.  
This King reigned six years, being wise, temperate, and just, three chief virtues in a Prince, but unhappy in his progeny. Assoon as he was anointed, he held a great Sessions in Paris, to hear complaints, and caused many Gentlemen to be punished, in which number was one Jordan of Lisle, a Gafcon, who being Nephew to Pope John the 22, had been pardoned for eighteen capital crimes, and yet still grew more impious, former mercy making him presume more of pardon, until at last he was taken, and brought to Paris, where King Charles caused him justly to be hanged, as a memorable example, that Respect is an enemy to Justice, which must be executed without sparing the guilty. To conclude, this Prince was worthy of the French Monarchy, and deserved to be reckoned amongst the chiefest men of State. And as the Kingdom was happy in having so worthy and sufficient a King, so his short Reign deprived the Realm of that good which it should receive by his government. But the best and most perfect men, are in the blind world either despised for excess of good, or some took away by death, to envy greater happiness, equal to their desert.   

Philip of Valois the 6. and 50. King of France. Anno 133.  depiction of Philip VI  
THis Philip Count of Valois, the Son of the late Count Charles, and Cousin german to the three precedent Kings, succeeded to the Crown by title of his favour, excluding Lewis of Eureux his Uncle (who at that time, as it is thought was already dead) and was confirmed by the States, notwithstanding that Edward King of England pretended the Crown by his Mother's right, who was the only daughter of Philip the Fair. He recovered a fair battle against the Flemings, who had revolted against their Duke, and enforced the King of England to do homage for the Duchy of Guienne, and other lands which he held of the Crown; who in revenge thereof entertained Robert of Artois, Count of Beaumond, who was banished out of France through a false accusation; by whose persuasion the King of England being allied to all the Princes of the Empire, whereof he had already obtained the Vicariate, began to war against Philip in Nantonge, Anno Domini 1336. Afterwards he caused the Flemings to revolt against their Duke, by the means of one James Artivel, an Artisan. The French that were in the Town of L'Isle, and first discomfited the English and Flemings, but afterwards they were shamefully overthrown at the Sluice Port, when they laboured to hinder the English from joining with the Flemings. And after this victory he encamped before Tournay, where he continued during fifty days; during which time, the Mother of the Count of Hainault, wrought a Truce between the Kings of England and France, which continued not long, because the wars were renewed shortly after between them, because the King of France caused Oliver de Clisson to be executed for Treason: In which war the French lost the memorable battle of Crecy, near Abeville, wherein the greatest part of the Nobility and flower of all France was slain, and the Town of Calais taken. After this, the King having married in a second wedlock the Lady Blanch, daughter of the late Philip, King of Navarre, and received the Danphinate of Humbert, together with the City and Country of Montpelier, for a purchase of the King of Maillorque, he retired to Nogent, there to conclude his days the 23. or 28. of August 1350. leaving john Duke of Normandy, and Philip Duke of Orleans.  
He was an ingenious witty Prince, as appeareth by his justification of the Salic Law, by these words of Scripture. Consider the Lilies of the field, how they do grow, and do neither labour nor spin: intimating (whose Arms are Lilies or Flower de Lyces) should not fall to the Distaff. Also he taxed the unfaithfulness of King Edward of England, in these two Verses by himself composed.  
Anglicus Angelus est, cui nunquam eredere fas est.  
Dum tibi dicit Ave, tanquam ab host cave.  
The Englishman an Angel is, which trusted will deceive thee;  
Beware of him as of a Foe, when he doth say God save thee.  
After his marriage with Blanch, daughter of Philip of Eureux, he lived not long after he had tied this knot, this new wife being an unnecessary trouble in his old age; so that sickening at Nogent, advising his two sons to live in peace, and be careful of the Realm, which he resigned to the eldest, he concluded his reign, and died. He was a King in whom virtues and vices were equally mingled; for he was valiant in danger, and courageous in affliction, just and loving to his subjects. But his rash valour, whereon he presumed often, engaged him and his subjects in many miseries.   

Edward the third, King of England. Anno 1351.  depiction of Edward III  
THis King comes here to be inserted amongst the Kings of France, being the first that left the Title Hereditary to the Kings of England, and first quartered the Arms of France with the English Arms, giving thereby occasion and provocation of his succeeding Wars, he obtained a gentle victory at Sluice, upon Midsummer day in a sea sight: Afterward he challenged Philip of Valois, than King, to a single combat, by him not accepted, afterwards makes a Truce with France, their battles being ready to join in Britagne in France, than he declares the Truce with France broken. He arrives afterward in France with bloody Colours, with his hopeful son the Prince of Wales, then about sixteen years old. Afterward he got the Laurel wreath of Conquest in the battle of Cressey; and his son was as victorious as his Father, both sharing equally in honour purchased by valour. But his son afterward, whose veins were full of his Father's Spirit and fortitude, showing that Nasci a Principibus est magnum, obtained another triumphant victory against the French at Poitiers, and by it confirmed his Father's achievements.  
Then again Henry invaded France, besieges Paris, concludes a peace: King john of France being taken prisoner, and afterward ransomed, hostages were also given, and so the Clouds of war were a while drawn away: but suddenly again France felt a new storm from England; for the Earl of Blois slain in Battle by the English, loseth the Dukedom of Britagne. Then again King Edward sends john Duke of Lancaster to invade Prance, and Sir Robert Knoles to the parts about Britagne: and thus, as he was famous for his many other Royal virtues expressed, done at home, and in the circumference of his own Dominions, so likewise he appeared in France like a flaming Comet, which boded the effusion of much French blood: But age & sickness coming on he was forced to leave the world, as the same did him before his breath left him: but Nature could not hold out any longer, and he was forced to resign his life into the hands of his Creator at Shene, (now Richmond) the one and twentieth day of june, Anno Domini 1377. in the 64. year of his Age, having reigned fifty years, four months, and odd days; in which time France felt the desolation which war had made, he carrying away the never dying Fame of a valiant Conqueror, he lieth buried at Westminster, for as much of him as was Mortal; but Multum sui vitabit Libitinam, his soul and Fame are immortal in Heaven and on earth, and was especially famous for Conquering France, and writing himself, Roy de Angle tèrre & France, King of England and France.   

John 1. or the second of that name, the 51. King of France. Anno, 1350.  depiction of John I  
JOHN the first, or second of that Name, succeeded to the Crown, and was consecrated at Rheims the 26. of Septem. An Dom. 1350. In the beginning of his reign he caused the Lord Ralph of Nesle, Constable of France, to be beheaded for Treason, and in his place he justituted Charles of Spain, Count of Angolesme. The Truce being broken between him and England, he betook him to S. John d' Angely, and in his return he instituted the Order of the Star in the Noble and Royal House or S. Owen. Afterwards Charles King of Navarre, caused the Constable to be massacred upon a jealousy which he had conceived against him, on the sixth of january, 1353, and the Lord james de Bourbon was substituted in his place. In the mean time the King of Navarre, whom the King of France had pardoned, instead of acknowledging his fault, complotted against the State of the said King, which being discovered, he entered into an Amity with the King of England. By means whereof King john having surprised him, sent him prisoner to Paris. Hereupon Philip of Navarre, his brother, in an indignation caused the English to come into Normandy, against whom the King intending an opposition, was enforced to turn it upon the Prince of Wales in Poicton, where having lost the field through his temerity, he was taken Prisoner. In the mean time the Parisians at the persuasion of Stephen Martel, mutinyed against the Dauphin, who took upon him the Regency of the Realm, and appeased the tumult, having first restored the places of Normandy to the King of Navarre, who had escaped out of prison.  
Afterwards upon a treaty made at Bretigny the eight of May, 1360, a peace was concluded with the English, and ratified at Calais the 24. of October. In the mean time Philip, Duke of Burgundy, deceased at Roucere near Dijon without issue, by reason whereof john the King declared himself to be his Heir. After that he making a preparation for a beyond-sea voyage, first came to London, intending to make a strong peace with England, and died there the eighth or ninth of April, 1364, leaving Charles the Dauphin, Lewis Duke of Anjou, John Duke of Berry, and Philip Hardy Duke of Burgundy.  
This King showed magnanimity in his most adverse fortune; for Apparet virtus arguiturque malis: 
Virtue will apparent be  
In the depth of adversity.  which was verified in this King John, who sitting in the English Camp at a Supper, prepared for him by the Prince of Wales, who had taken him prisoner in the Battle of Poitiers, said, I purposed to have bestowed a Supper on you this night, but the fortune of the War hath made me your Guest. The Englishmen for a sum of money having got by composition the Castle and Town of Gwines, King john complaining to the King of England, that the Truce was broken, contrary to their compact and agreement, King Edward answered, That Traffic or Merchandise, the surrender of the Castle being by money procured, did not break the former Truce.  
This King, when King Edward required homage for the Realm of France, as held of England, answered, that he could not justly alienate a right inalienable, received from his Ancestors, and therefore he resolved to leave it entire to his children, for affliction might engage his person, but not the Crown of France, while he was King, who would sacrifice his life for the preservation of France. He died in England Anno 1364, being a good Prince, but infortunate; wise in ordinary matters, but not in great affairs; just, but too confident in trusting others; temperate in his private life, but violent in the public government. For great virtues meeting with Wisdom, do on the Theatre of this life give unto Kings a Crown of applause and commendation.   

Charles 5. surnamed the Wise, the 52. King of France. An. 1364.  depiction of Charles V  
AFter the decease of john the first, this Charles 5. surnamed the Wise, was crowned the 19 of March, Anno Dom. 1364. At the coming to the Crown, he gained against those of Navarre a very memorable victory under the Conduct of the Lord Bertrand du Gueselin, in favour whereof he gave him the Dukedom of Longueville. From thence the said Guesclin went to aid Charles of Blois, against whom john of Monfort relying upon the English, had begun wars for the Duchy of Bretagne, where he was taken fight valiantly before the Castle of Aulroy, against john Lord Chandos, High Marshal of England: but a peace being made between the Duke of Monfort and the Countess of Blois, the King likewise made a peace with those of Navarre, and after sent Guesclin to aid Peter King of Arragon, against Peter King of Castille in favour of Henry, Sancho and Telco his natural brothers; and also in revenge of the death of his Wife Blanch, the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon, whom he had caused to be slain. Peter of Castille being deposed of his kingdom, and Henry substituted, he retired to the Prince of Wales, who restored him to his former estate.  
After returning into Guienne, he imposed upon his Subjects unaccustomed taxations and imposts, which caused the Lords of Armaignac and of Albert to appeal to the King of France, as to their Sovereign Lord, which was a cause that moved Charles to give an ear to Henry, who offered to hold his kingdom of Castille from him, so that he would aid him in the re-conquest thereof. Whereupon the King sent him Guesclin, who gained six battles against his Enemy, and in the sixth Peter of Castille was taken by the Lord de Villains, a French Knight, of whom Henry ransomed him, and put him to death, enjoying by that means the kingdom of Castille.  
In the mean time, because the King embraced the appeal of the Lords of Gascogne, the Prince of Wales denounced war against him, which the King managed so well by the assistance of his brothers, that repairing the losses of his Father and Grandfather received by the English, he reconquered Guienne, Poictou, and Bretagne, and deceased in September, Anno Dom. 1380, leaving Charles and Lewis under the tuition of their Uncles.  
This King had many virtues, shining in all estates, both in happiness and adversity, and when the Realm was in the heat of troubles, he saved it from ruin, so that his fame was spread abroad, leaving an honourable remembrance to his posterity. He favoured Learning and the learned, preferring the Schoolmaster Nicholas Oresme: He caused the Bible to be translated, imitating therein St. Lewis, and took great delight to read the Scripture and Philosophy, and he made Aristotle's Ethics and Politics, and many places of Tully to be translated into French; and his favour showed to learned men, cherished their fancies, and made them seek unto the forsaken Muses for witty inventions. He would hear Suits in open Court, and redress the wrongs of the oppressed, and took pleasure to advance his household servants, and gave them means for bringing up their sons, and marrying their daughters: And as he was a favourer of Learning, so Bartholl, Baldus, Petrarch, Bociac, Plorindes, Bonaventure, and John Wickliff of Oxford in England lived in his Reign. But Virtues are not hereditary, for Charles son to this King, degenerated from his Father, and the Kingdom of France was afterward punished in the weakness of the succeeding Kings, so that the confused government brought forth sad effects, such as are to be expected where the rabble multitude have a power unrestrained by Authority, and do swarm and rove about like unruly Bees.   

Charles 6. the 53. King of France. Anno 1380.  depiction of Charles VI  
THis Charles 6. about the age of 14. years, was crowned the first of November, Anno. Dom. 1380. In the beginning of his Reign he received homage for the Duchy of Bretagne, and enforced the Gaulois to their obedience to their Duke; as also he chastised the Parisians, who had mutinyed about imposts, having Malleus as a token of their faction, whereupon they were called Maillotins. In the mean time Peter de Craon wounded Clisson Constable of France, whereof the King intending a revenge, fell into a frenzy, by reason whereof the kingdom was put into the hands of the Dukes of Berry and Burgundy, who laying hands upon Clisson, by an Act of Parliament, caused him to be deprived of his estate, and banished the kingdom.  
The King of England married the Lady Isabella, the eldest Daughter to Charles, whereupon a Truce was concluded between the English and French for Thirty years. But King Richard being afterward slain, she was sent back into France without a Dowry; by reason whereof the Duke of Orleans presented a combat of seven French against seven English within the lists, which combat the French gained. Then also upon some rancours and dissensions between the houses of Burgundy and orleans for the government of the kingdom, John the eldest son of ●e late Count of Burgundy, caused the Duke of Orleans, brother to the King, to be slain the 22. of November, 1407, whereupon ensued all the subsequent disorders in France, by means whereof the King of England gained the famous and memorable battle of Agincourt, and continued his wars for the space of 29. or 30. years, during which he took Roven, and in a manner all Normandy. In those times also the Duke of Burgundy was slain at a Parliament upon the Bridge of Monte●●au Faux-yonne, by those that accompanied the Dauphine, who for that fact was by his Father Charles, not yet in sense, disinherited, and in his place he instituted Henry King of England, to whom upon a peace he had given in marriage Katherine of France, together with the government of France and Paris, making wars against the Dauphin until death, which was followe● with that of the King, who had befor● given consent to the Duke of Bedford to be Regent in France for young King Henry, who was yet in his Cradle.  
This Charles the 6. was of a magnanimous and Heroic soul, full of the fire of true valour, which upon any brave occasion broke forth in glorious actions: which virtue was declared in his younger years by this answer to his Father Charles the fifth, by whom 〈◊〉 Crown of Gold enchased with precious Stones, and a Helmet of Steel fairly guilt, being propounded to his choice, he answered he would rather choose the Helmet than the Crown. Afterward being crowned King of France, this Son of valour rising in the sphere of Majesty, shined forth with early beams of valour; for being showed by his Officers, his deceased Fathers rich Treasury and precious moveables, and also his Armoury full of warlike Furniture, and all sorts of Arms, he said, ●e had rather have those Arms, than 〈◊〉 Father's Riches. As this King and ●s Noblemen marched against the Duke of Britain, being entered the Forest of Man's, a man bareheaded and barelegged, attired in a Coat of white ●●ngge, steps suddenly forth betwixt two Trees, taking hold of the Rains of the King's Horse, and staying him, ●nd unto him: King ride no farther, but return back, for thou art betrayed: ●he King was amazed at this voice, and the man being forced with blows to leave the Rains of his Horse, vanished. Afterward it chanced that his Page being very sleepy, let fall his Lance upon him which carried the Helmet, making a great noise like the rustling of Arms, the King starts with amazement at this noise, and seeing the Crimson Band●oll of the Lance, having his spirits weakened with the former distemperatures, transported with the imagination of this sound, sleepy with labour and heat, he imagines himself to be compassed in with many armed men which pursued him to the death. Charles thus transported with this frenzy, lays hold on his Sword, draws it, runs violently after his Pages, and calls them Traitors. The Pages conceiving at first that he had been displeased for the disorder of the Lance, fly from him: The King follows after: The Duke of Orleans runs towards him to let him know the cause of his anger. The King very violently lays at him, not knowing him; the Duke flies, and the King follows. Thereupon all drawing near unto him, they take his Sword from him, and his thick Velvet Jerkin, and scarlet Cap, and lay him on the ground.  
Pope Vrban his Enemy, triumphing and rejoicing at his misery, said it was a just judgement of God for supporting and assisting his Competitor: But the holy Scripture says, O how happy is he that judgeth wisely of the afflicted, representing an admirable example in Job, who was accused by his friends that he was an hypocrite, good in show, but not in integrity of life. Such is the judgement of the World, accounting adversity a vice, and prosperity a virtue, measuring matters according to their passions, and not with reason; for GOD'S Judgements are just and righteous, but the causes thereof are unknown, though GOD doth all well whatsoever he doth.   

Henry the fifth, King of England. Anno 1412.  depiction of Henry V  
THough it be more easy to succeed in victories, than achieve them, yet this Henry maintained by the sword that Title of King of France, which his Predecessor, Edward the third had gained; and as King Edward cut down the Flower of France in the Battle of Cressey, so Henry the fift, exasperated by the Dolpins of France, sending him a Tun of Tennis Balls, sent him back such Iron Balls, or Bullets, that the French were near brought to a great hazard in this Tennis Court, or field of Mars. For hereby Henry won France, teaching Princes, that contempt adds a double courage, when right is by contumelies fought with greater violence.  
Afterward King Henry took Harflew, and fought the memorable battle of Agincourt, wherein he got a wonderful and unexpected victory, by a stratagem of erecting sharp Stakes before the foot troops, whereupon the Horse issuing violently, they were disranked and routed, so that the earth blushed with blood to see the French so overtaken, and also the Archers upon the nick of this opportunity sent many showers of Arrows, whereby the whole Army on the French side was discomfited; and the English Archers giving back, the French Horsemen ran themselves upon the sharp pointed stakes. At last the French main Battle was put to flight, and then King Henry gave thankes unto God, the giver of all victories.  
This Battle was famous, triumphant, and fortunate; the success whereof was celebrated with great joy at the King's return into England; Princes being then most amiable (as well as private men) in the sight of their subjects, when Fortune smiles on their attempts: and Victories, such as this was at Poitiers, makes their virtues more apparent.  
Afterward, Truce being made with the French, and by them broken, he invades France again, and takes the Town of Harflew in Normandy, and Cane. Then proceeding in his Conquest of Normandy, takes Fallais, after a long siege, and Articles of agreement confirmed by the King, he besieges also Roan, and the Lady Katherine's Picture was sent to King Henry, to move him to pity Roan: He grants them peace, and receives of the Burgesses of Roan 356000. Crowns of gold, upon the sixteenth of June, Anno Domini 1418.  
Afterward many Towns were surrendered to Henry: At last a peace was concluded between King Henry, and King Charles, and the Duke of Burgogne. Afterward Henry goes in person to Trois. where he was met by john King of France, the Queen, and the Lady Katherine, to whom he was contracted, and by their marriage peace was established in France, and the Crown of France was entailed to England; and the Subjects of France were sworn to duty of allegiance unto King Henry; as also the two Crowns of England and France were united and confirmed to King Henry, by his marrying the Lady Katherine; for marriages have always been the happy conclusions of Tragical Wars, as may appear by happy marriage.  
Afterward the French growing rebellious, King Henry besieges Paris, and takes it. Bicardy afterward swears fealty and obedience to King Hen. Matters being settled, all the Wars was concluded with joyful Solemnities at the marriage of King Henry and the Lady Katherine, with whom he returned afterward into England, where every Subject expressed his love and loyalty to him, each one contending, who should be the forwardest for the entertaining of so Noble and victorious a Prince, and his most Royal Consort.  
Afterward King Henry being at the siege of Meaux, his wife was delivered of Henry of Munmouth, his last joy on earth; for not long after sickening at at Melum, and his malady increasing at Bois De vincennois, he cheerfully rendered his Soul to GOD, who received him to immortal joy, where he remains Crowned with Celestial glory, while his body being conveyed into England, was with all pompous Celebrity interred in the Church at Westminster, where on his Tomb are engraven these Verses.  
Dux Normanorum, verus Conquestor eorum,  
Haeres Francorum, decesset & Hector corum.  
Here Normans Duke, so styled by Conquest just,  
True heir of France, great Hector lies in Dust.   

Charles 7. the 54. King of France. Anno 1422.  depiction of Charles VII  
AFter the decease of Charles the 6, Charles 7. his son, began to style himself King of France, notwithstanding that his Father had disinherited him, and given it to Henry King of England. In the beginning of his Reign having made Count Arthur, brother to the Duke of Bretagne, High Constable of France, sent him against the English, who in a manner were Masters of all France, and had now beleaguered Orleans contrary to their promise made to their Duke, who at that time was prisoner in England: whereupon the King sent the Count of Dunois, the Bastard of Orleans, Pothon, Hire, all valiant Commanders to relieve it. At that time the French lost the Battle of Harens: whereupon the King being enraged, and not knowing which way best to betake himself, was encouraged by Joan the Maid, who miraculously drove the English from before Orleans: and having recovered many lost Towns, and gained the battle near Poitiers, and conveyed the King to be crowned at Rheims, but upon a Sally which she made out of Champagne upon the English, she was taken, and put to death at Roven.  
In the end a peace being made between the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, they first drove the English out of Paris, nineteen years after their enjoying it, into which the King made his entry the twelfth of November, Anno Domini 1437, to equal which there presently ensued the Praguery Faction. The quarrels also of the Houses of Orleans and Burgundy were extinguished by the Marriage of Charles Duke of Orleans, with Marry of Cleve, near to the Duke of Burgundy: The English also lived promiscuously with the French, but the Truce being broken by an English Captain, who took in the Castle of Fougeres, the King employed his uttermost to quit France of all the English: and thereupon he to this design appointed his Franc-archers or Boemen, and began with Normandy, which he reduced wholly to his obedience: after that Guienne and the City of Bourdeaux, insomuch that the English could retain nothing on that side the Seas, but Cales and the County of Guiennes. The King enjoying this repose of peace, was much troubled with the absence of the Dauphin, who for six years had betaken himself to the Duke of Burgundy, and thence into Brabant, where he remained till his Father's decease, which was the 22. of July, Anno Dom. 1461.  
This King being unfortunate in his Wars, grew so behind hand both in fame and estate, that amongst other afflictions, he was burdened with reproach and poverty, so that he dined in his Chamber, attended on by his household servants, where Pothon and la Hire coming to Chusteaudun to require succours, found him at Table with a Rump of Mutton and two Chickens. He was reproached for the love of fair Agnes, but the History of St. Dennis reports, that he loved her only for her pleasing behaviour, eloquent speech, and beauty, and that he never used any lascivious action unto her, nor never touched her beneath the chin. Joan a Virgin, or rather Witch, professing that she had a Revelation how to secure the King, and chase the English from Orleans, was brought by the Lord of Bawdy Court, Provost of Vancoleurs to Chinon, attired like a man. The King takes upon him the habit of a Countryman, yet she goes directly to the King, although they told her she was mistaken. She had Arms and Horse given her, with a Troop to enter the City, accompanied by the Admiral and Marshal of France: She comes to Orleans, they rejoice to behold the Maiden Warrior, whereupon Joan sends threats to the English by Letter, subscribed, Understand these News from God and from the Virgin. Orleans was assaulted by her counsel: The Virgin entered the Fort first, crying, Montjoy St. Dennis, the Fort is won. The English grew amazed at the Virgin's exploits: In memory whereof a Monument was erected; King Charles the seventh armed, and Joan the Virgin armed, kneeling on their knees before a Crucifix of Brass, which is still to be seen upon the Bridge at Orleans.   

Lewis the 11. and 55. King of France. Anno 1461.  depiction of Lewis XI  
LEwis the 11. departing out of Brabant, being accompanied with the Duke, Philip of Burgundy, and the Count of Charolois his son, caused himself to be crowned King of France, the fifteenth of August 1461. The Princes seeing themselves in contempt, especially monsieur Charles his brother, who rose up in Arms against him, under a pretensive colour for the common good, giving him the famous battle of Montl●bery, the fifteenth of july, Anno Domini ●463. The King for the dissipating of their forces, following the advice of the Duke of Milan, gave Normandy to his brother, which afterwards by subtleties he withdrew from him again. But in the end he was enforced by the Duke of Burgundy to give unto his brother monsieur Charles the Counties of Champagne and Brie, which he afterward exchanged for the Duchy of Guienne, by this means to wean him from the Duke of Burgundy, recalling all the Towns upon this side the River Somme; and afterwards against his brother Charles, for the withdrawing of the Duchy of Guienne, who immediately died, not without suspicion of poison. Afterwards he made a treaty of peace at Bouvines, with the Dukes of Bretagne and Burgundy for the ensnaring of the High Constable S. Paul, who had been the prime spark of all the dissensions after the battle of Montlebery. In the mean time the King works the Duke of Burgundy quite out with the Emperor Frederick, and with the Duke of Lorraine, working his ruin at the siege of Mus. Then he takes in many Towns of the Burgundion, who had appealed to the English for aid, with whom the King had already made a treaty of Piquigny, by which Charles the King's son was to marry with the daughter of England, when they came to be of age; which constrained the Burgundion to make his peace with the King, and to deliver the High Constable into his power. The Duke of Burgundy was slain before Nancy, leaving one sole Daughter Mary, who was married to Maximilian, the only son of the Emperor Frederick; by reason whereof the King recovered all the Country upon the Somme, together with the Duchy and County of Burgundy. But afterwards the Prince of Orange caused the Franch-Conite to revolt. After this the King allied himself to the Swisseses, and recovered the County of Provence, from Renatus Duke of Anjou, by way of Donation. The K. afterwards having married his son Charles to the Lady Marguerite of Flanders, he surrendered his life the 30 of Aug. 1483.  
He said that Charles the sage might be a wise man in his Tiring-Chamber, or Closet, but in giving his youngest brother the Duchy of Burgundy, he played the fool's part. Being told after a battle, that his enemy Count Charolois did lodge in the field: He replied, That he having neither Town nor Castle must needs lodge in a field-bed. It was his usual saying: That when pride walketh, or rideth afore, shame and dishonour, like serving men, attend behind. Being told that one of the Canons of the Church where he had heard Mass was dead, he gave the Prebendship to a Priest which lay sleeping in an adjoining Chapel, that he should say afterward, that his good fortune came unto him sleeping. To a Gentleman that was ready to handle a rich Chain of gold, which a Captain wore about his neck, and was suspected to be made of the relics of a Church, he said: Take heed how you touch that Chain, for it is a holy thing.  
He said also, that, in regard of his troubles at the beginning of his reign, if by the expression of courage and experience he had not procured fear and reverence, he might have been ranked amongst the unfortunate Princes in the last Chapter of Boccace. A rich Nobleman having builded a fair Hospital, he said, That having made many poor for the Hospital, he might justly make an Hospital for the poor, and so convert his sins into Almshouses. He would often say to his Noblemen, that his son should learn no more Latin, than Qui nescit dissimulare, nescit regnare; and that the government of the Kingdom and Commonwealth was his best study, for other studies would too much soften his mind, and Historical examples, unfortunate in their event, and success, would discourage him from attempting brave Actions: He said also that the Genoese should n● long remain under his protection, 〈◊〉 he would bequeath them to the Dive●● Being advised to send an Embassado●●, that had many Dignities and Titles: 〈◊〉 said he is like a piece of Brachigraph● that hath many a Title but Learning very little. Being told that the Go● haunted rich men that fared deliciously, and wore fine clothing; he said, he would always afterward wear cloth , because the Gout should not take him for a rich man. He could find all things he said in his Kingdom, and his Court, except truth, which was sick in his father's time, and was now stark dead, having before her death made no Confession to a Priest. The Realm of France he said was a meadow which he did cut every year, and as often as he listed. He ask a mean fellow, which ●new not the King when he saw him, what he gained by following the Court? The fellow answered, I get as much as the King, that is, maintenance while I ●e, and a sheet when I dye.  
He said that a curious ignorant man, having a Library of fair Books, was like a crooke-backt man having a ●unch on his back, whereby the deformity of the one, & the ignorance of the ●ther was more discerned. He made gold ●e engine of his actions, saying, that an Army of silver Lances doth usually win the victory. Great services (he said) through the arrogancy of the parties performing them, or the neglect of Princes regarding them, were often recompensed with hatred or ingratitude; and therefore ●he bounty of Princes exceeding desert was more fortunate and happy than desert exceeding the bounty of Princes, not enduring to be indebted or obliged. Having felt the smart of the English wars, he said the King of England was his Brother in his own Country, but he did not like his company in France.  
Having caused a fair goodly Tomb to be made for the fair Lady Agnes, the love of his late Father, the Cannons of the Church desiring that the Monument might be removed out of the heart of the Church into a side I'll, or Chapel, he answered, that their request was neither just nor reasonable, neither would he suffer her Tomb (whom his father loved) to be violated.  
After Monsieur Bussi was beheaded and buried, he caused the head to be digged up again, and placed on a wooden pole in the Market place, and so being covered with a scarlet Cap, furred with Minivere, in regard he had been a Counsellor of the Parliament. A suitor to the King for an Office, be-in denied, humbly thanked his Majesty, who wondering at his moderate, yet manlike spirit, asked if he conceived a right of his answer? yes, said the Suitor, and I thank your Majesty for giving me a dispatching denial, rather than feeding delays: with which Answer the King was so contented, that he had his Office immediately granted.  
A Nobleman seeing this King ride a Hunting on a very little Horse, said he had gotten a goodly stout Horse; for though he seemed but weak and little, yet he must needs be very strong, because he carried him with all his Counsel: Thereby taxing the King, preferring the wisdom of his own conceit before all other Counsel.  
He demanding what present he might bestow on the English Ambassadors that might not cost him much, was answered; That he might present them with his Musicians, that so they might not cost him much, as formerly they had done.  
Before the joining of a Battle, this King said hastily unto a Nobleman, that he had no affiance in his service: who for proof thereof, having desired to exchange Arms and Ensigns with the King, charged bravely on the enemy, and being supposed to be the King, was slain: wherein the King with weeping tears said, he had lost his life to express his love and loyalty. Being informed that the Saracens were misreckned 10000 Francs, in the payment of 200000 thousand pounds for a ransom, he would not embark or set sail until the aforesaid Francs were paid: such was his fidelity to those Infidels. This King having apppointed a Bishop to go take a Muster of the Soldiers in Paris, a great Nobleman desired a Commission to reform the Bishop's Church, saying that employment was as fit for him, as the other was for the Bishop. When this King was Dauphin of France, he taking great pleasure in hunting, often resorted to a poor Forester's Cottage, where he did use to eat Radishes, he coming to be King, the Forester persuaded by his Wife, & in hope of reward, presented to the King a fair Radish, which his Majesty accepted, and rewarded the Forester with a thousand Crowns. Afterward a Courtier presented the King with a fair goodly Horse, expecting a greater reward, because he had been so bountiful to the Forester. But the King contrary to his expectation, gave the Courtier his Radish, wrapped up in white paper; the Courtier returning to his lodging, opening the packet, found nothing but a Radish, whereupon he informed the King of the mistake, as he supposed: The King said, I have paid thee well for thy horse: for the present which I gave thee cost me a thousand Crowns; thus the poor man's good affection was well rewarded, and the Courtier's audaciousness slightly regarded.  
This Lewis sends an Ambassador to the Emperor, to excuse him for not sending an army, promised by treaty, entreating him not to make a greement with the Duke of Burgogne; but that he should confiscate all the Duke's Signonories that held of the Emperor, as he would do those that held of the Crown of France: The Emperor answered, that they must not divide the Bear's skin before the Beast be dead. This King commming to an interview of the King of Castille, unto whom he was formerly strictly allied, conceived a contempt and disdain each of other: The French of the Castilians sumptuousness and pride, in their words, countenance and apparel: The Castilians of the plainness of the French attire: So as from that day these Kings did never love, and the French did ever since hate the Spaniard.   

Charles 8. the 56. King of France. Anno 1483.  depiction of Charles VIII  
CHARLES the 8. at the age of 13. years came to the Crown, under the Regency of Madam de Beavien his own Sister, and of the Duke of Bourbon her Husband: whereupon the Duke of Orleans, the nearest to the Crown, and had married his other Sister, as in an indignity conceived, convocated and summoned all the Statesmen to Tours. In the mean time the Duke of Orleans seeing that Madam of Beavieu managed all the affairs of the kingdom, retired himself into Bretagne; whereupon the King made War against him, and recovered a Battle against him at St. Albins, the Duke of Orleans, and the Prince of Orange being taken Prisoners. After this the Duke of Bretagne deceased, leaving his sole Daughter Anne Inheretrix: who notwithstanding that she had made a promise to Maximilian, King of the Romans, was after married to the King, for which cause the King of England made a preparation for War against him in the behalf of Maximilian, but it was concluded that the King should send back the Princess Marguerite with her Dowry of the Countries of Artois and Burgundy. After, having surrendered the County of Roussillon to the Spaniard by the persuasion of his Confessor, he went upon the recovery of the succession which Renatus, the late King of Sicily, and Charles the Count of Maine his brother, had left unto him by Will, for the rights which they pretended to the kingdom of Naples.  
In his journey he was Regally entertained by Ludovicus Sforza, surnamed the Moor, in the Town of Ast: and after having proceeded into Tuscany, by Peter de Medicis, who delivered into his command the Fortresses of Florence and the City of Pisa: From thence he went to Rome, where nolens volens, he entered, Alexander 6. being then Pope, who working his peace with him, gave him the Title of Emperor of Constantinople, and invested him to the kingdom of Naples: whither the King having made his entrance the 12. of May, Anno Dom. 1495, he was crowned King of Sicily. Whereupon the Monarches and Potentates of Italy being amazed, intended him an Ambuscade in his return at Fournove; but the King passing another way, escaped the plot, and came safe into France: where having intelligence of the loss of Naples, and intending a second voyage thither for the recovery of his losses, died of an Apoplexy, as he was seeing a Game at Tennis in the Castle of Amboise, the seventh of April, Anno Domini 1498.  
This King among other facetious sayings, gave the Florentine Ambassadors this merry Answer, denoting their unfaithfulness, in these two Italian Verses: 
Concortesia e fede poca  
Valerio a Florence vender loca.  
To Florence he went of his Goose to make sale,  
Without any faith or courtesy at all.  which Verses were formerly made on this occasion: A Country Peasant sold a fat Goose to a fair Dame of Florence, for the fond satisfaction of Venery, but afterward on colder thoughts growing wiser, this piece of leathern ignorance, contrary to his former agreement, without either fidelity or courtesy, demanded the price of his Goose in the presence of her Husband, and made her, for the former sauce of the Goose, pay him again. And with this Italian Proverb, which had this wanton Original, the King answered the unfaithful Ambassadors of Florence. His Queen Anne having received tidings of his Death, said; Gods will be done, I doubt not but I shall be as great as I was before, intimating thereby her hopes to be Queen of France; afterwards verified by her Marriage with King Lewis the twelfth. Friar Jerosine Savonarola living at Florence, foretold in his Sermons that this King should come into Italy, and obtain great victories, which fell out accordingly; and in those Wars nothing was gained but a stinking contagious disease, afterwards spread over all France, and since then called the French Pox. After this King had ended his wars, he builded a Castle at Ambois, not knowing that instead of a stately Palace, he should end his life in a base and filthy Gallery. He intending to reform his life, it chanced the seventh of April, going after with the Queen into the Castle-ditches, he strooke his forehead against the door of a Gallery, whereas he meant to see a set at Tennis. This blow driving him to the premeditation of his approaching end, he said to his Confessor, that he would never commit any mortal or venial sin, if he could avoid it, which was a good reservation: upon this protestation he fell backward into an Apoplexy, wherewith he had been troubled, and died about 11. a clock at night, in a Chamber near to a Gallery, stinking with the urine which every one made as he passed through it, being laid on a Matresse, such as they could find by chance. In him the direct Line failed, and the Crown came to the Collateral Line, the nearest whereof was Lewis Duke of Orleans, and Valois his Successor.   

Lewis 12. the 57 King of France. Anno 1499.  depiction of Lewis XII  
THis Lewis the 12. succeeded according to the Custom of France, to Charles the 8, who died without issue, and was crowned the 27. of May. He repudiated the Lady Joan of France for her indisposition of conception, and married the Lady Anne of Bretagne, Widow to the late King. Afterwards having made sure of Milan, Genes, and Lombardy, by the taking of Ludovicus Sforza, he made an accord with the King of Spain, with whom he conquered the Kingdom of Naples, which was after lost by the French through the infidelity and perfidious treachery of the Spaniard. Whereupon the King having yielded his claim and part that he pretended to it, unto Ferdinand King of Arragon, in favour of the Marriage of Madam German de Foix, his own Sister's Daughter, and makes an agreement with the Pope against the Venetians, against whom he gained a battle the 15. of May, Anno Dom. 1509, without any assistance of the Truce. He withstood the Pope, who declared himself an Enemy to the French, and he took many places in the Duchy of Ferrara, which gave an occasion to the Duke to recover what he had lost: as also Gaston de Foix raised the Pope's Army from before Bologna, and relieved the City of Brescia, which the Venetians had now beleaguered; and having defeated their Army, from thence he went to hazard his life before Ravenna, having first won the field. The Lord of Palisse was substituted in his place as Commanmander, who sacked it. Whereupon the Emperor and the Pope joining with the English, recovered many Towns upon the French, and the Spaniard re-entered into the kingdom of Naples. Whereupon King Lewis being moved, sent the Duke of Longueville with an Army to re-estate the King of Navarre into his Kingdom: but he was constrained to return without any effect, which was a cause that the King being desirous to re-enter his Duchy of Milan, accorded with the Spaniard and the Venetian, and after sent the Lord of Tremoville with his Army into Italy, whence he was beaten out by the Swisseses. In the mean time the King of England besieged Therovenne, where was fought the battle of Esperons, after which King Lewis being a widower, married with the Daughter of the King of England, with whom he having peace, as he was in a preparation for an Army into Italy, he was prevented by death, the first day of the year 1515. He was surnamed The Father of the people.  
This King being instigated and persuaded by some of his familiars to take revenge on the Citizens of Orleans, because when he was Duke of Orleans, and when Charles the 8. maintaining wars against him, had compelled him to fly into Britain, they had shut the gates of their City against him: But he forgetting their former injury, answered; That being now King of France, he would not revenge injuries done to the Duke of Orleans. He being told, making war then in Italy for the recovery of the Duchy of Milan, that Agnadell was taken by his Enemies, who had there taken up their lodging, answered: Then will I lodge upon their bellies, or else they shall lodge upon mine. Being advised to preserve his person from the shot of the great Ordnance, he answered, A rightful King of France was never slain with the shot of a Cannon: Therefore let him that is afraid, come behind me. He lying in Camp, and a Soldier standing near him, being slain with a Cannon shot, and shown unto the King, he smiled and said, He is but a little cold in his hands.  
This King having commanded that a company of Footmen should be levied of strong active men, and at the day appointed a company of old Soldiers, as appeared by scars, being presented unto him, said; These men, as it seems by their wounds, were more willing to take than to give blows. Whereupon the Soldier replied, They were not valianter than we, for they wounded us, but we slew them. To a Gentleman that boasted of his scars and wounds in his face, and desired the King to reward his service, he said, Take heed hereafter of turning back thy face when thou art flying from thy Enemy. He being dissuaded from making Wars on the Venetians, being a wise and prudent people, said, We will set so many fools upon them that shall beard them to the teeth, that they shall not know which way to turn. To certain Ambassadors of Greece that demanded succours against the Turk, he objected this old Verse Barbara Graeca genus retinent quod habere solebant. The Lords of the Parliament refusing to admit a Counsellor for his ignorance and insufficiency, though preferred by the King; he asked them how many Counsellors there were? They replied, an Hundred: Then said the King, cannot you many wise men make one become wise? A Courtier being wondered at for his great stature, and accounted a Giant, the King said, it is no wonder, for his Mother took pains to make him, and perhaps he had many Fathers. He told the Ladies of the Court, that Hinds had at first Horns as well as Hearts, but for their pride and rebellion against the Hearts, Nature offended therewith, deprived them of their Horns, to show that Wives should be obedient to their Husbands. He told the Duke of Angolesme his son in law, that a certain Father and his son travelling towards a Town, the son said, that now they were almost at the Town; but yet they afterward traveled until it was night before they could get to the Town: whither being come, the Father said to the Son, Henceforth Son, never say I am at the Town, till thou art passed the Gates. He said also that Asses were happier than Horses, for Horses run post to Rome to get those Benefices whereof Asses are possessed. Being asked to marry his Daughter the Lady Claudia to a strange Prince, he said, I will make no alliance but with the Kats and Mice of my own Kingdom.   

Francis 1. the 58. K. of France. An. 1515.  depiction of Francis I  
FRancis of Valois, Duke of Angolesme, as next the Collateral Line Masculine, succeeded Lewis the 12, who died without heirs Males. He was consecrated at Rheims the 25. of January, 1515, at which time Charles of Bourbon was made Constable of France. The King having taken Prosper Collonne, and obtained two battles against the Swisseses, took Milan. After by the persuasion of Pope Leo the tenth, the Milaners revolted, and immediately after, Charles of Bourbon took part with Charles the fifth, Emperor. The King accompanied with the Marshal of Chabanes, having recovered the Duchy of Milan into his power, he went to besiege Pavia, where he was taken, and by the industrious treaty of Madric, Anno Dom. 1525, he was sent back into France. Afterwards Charles of Bourbon was slain, scaling the Walls of Rome, which was taken by the Spaniards with the Pope. Anno Dom. 1529. a Treaty of Cambray was concluded, and the children of France were sent back into France with Madam Elinor. The King and the Pope by Embassies came to an agreement at Marsilles, where the Marriage of Henry Duke of Orleans, with the Countess of Bologne, the Pope's Niece, was solemnised.  
After this the King sent the Lord of Montmorency against the Emperor, who intended to come against Marsilles, who enforced him to retire into Spain, and afterwards invaded France upon the Coast of Picardy, and sent another Army to Piedmount, against whom the King sent his forces, which took Suse, Villain, and Montcalier, which caused the truce of Nice for ten years, during which the Emperor passed through France into Flanders. In the mean time Caesar Fregose and Anthony Rineon the King's Ambassadors to the Turk, were slain by the Imperialists. Whereupon the King according with the Duke of Cleve against the Emperor, took Luxembourg, Landrecy and other places: Of which the Emperor being certified, besieged Landrecy, but in vain. On the other side the Lord of Anguyen, the King's Lieutenant in Piedmont, having gained the battle of Cerisolles, took Carignan: whereof the Emperor being advertised, made a preparation against Paris, but perceiving the French too powerful in forces, demanded a Peace, which was published at Paris. This being done, the King intends a War against the English at Boulen, with whom having made Peace, he went to pay his debt to Nature at Rambovillet, the last of March, 1547, and lies interred at St. Denis. To one that desired pardon for another that had used ill speeches of his Majesty, this King said, Let him for whom thou art a suitor, learn to speak little, and I will learn to pardon much. At Paris in an Oration against Heretics, he said: If my arm were infected with that contagion, I would cut it off from my body, and cast it into the fire. He said that he was sorry that the Gentlemen of his Realm being most serviceable, and ingenious, were not qualified with Learning, to be capable of Civil offices as well as Military, since Virtue is the formal cause of Gentility, which should exceed base low dispositions, by an eminent exaltation of goodness, deriving their pedigree from Heaven, for Vera est Nobilitas quaedam cognatio Dijs, True Nobility is a certain affinity to the Gods. A Treaty of peace being propounded, and ready to be concluded between the Emperor Charles the fift and this King Francis, he said: Peace and amity between us cannot long endure, for the Emperor cannot abide an Equal or Companion, and I cannot endure a Master.   

Henry the 2. and 59 King of France. Anno 1547.  depiction of Henry II  
HEnry the second succeeding to the Crown on his birth day, was consecreted at Rheimes in August 1547. He sent the Lord of Esse into Scotland, for a defence of that Country, and built a Fort over against that of Boullen: immediately after the Commons of Guienne mutined upon taxations whilst the King was in Piedmont, from whence, being upon his return into France, he caused them to be punished by the Constable, and made his entrance into Paris: proclaimed open wars against England, and renewed his alliance with the Swisseses. Pope julius the third being incensed against the King for the City of Parma, solicited the Emperor to take up Arms against him, and to beleaguer Parma and Mirandula: whereupon the King made a prohibition of sending to the Court of Rome for matters of Benefices; and in the mean time he took Quires, S. Damian, and other places of Piedmont: on the other side the Burgundions, and Hannuyers overrun the Country of Santois, above Peronne: but to requite them, the King making an expedition into Almany, by the policy of the Constable seezd of the Metz, and the Country of Messin, and took the Duke & Duchy of Lorraine into his protection: Afterwards he joined forces with Duke Maurice, who falsifying his faith in his return invaded the Duchy of Luxembourg, taking the Towns of Yvoy, Montmedy, Lumes, and Civay. In the mean time the Emperor marched to the siege of Metz, whence he was forced to dis-encampe with the loss of 30000 men, and threw himself upon Therovenne, which he took with the Castle of Hedin. The King on the other side took Mariembourg, and other Towns in Piedmont. After that the Emperor quitting the Empire, retired himself into Spain, to live a solitary life, and a peace for five years was concluded between the Emperor, the Kings of England and France, which continued not long. For wars being renewed between the said Kings, the day of St. Laurence, to the loss of the French: in revenge whereof the King took Cales, Gnines, Hames, and the County of Oye: Peace after being made by the marriage between King Philip, and the Lady Elizabeth of France, and of the Duke of Savoy, with Madam Margarite, sister to the King; and in the continuance of the solemnity, the King running at Tilt, was hit in the eye, of which hurt he died at Tournells, the twentieth day of july, Anno Domini 1559. and lies interred at St. Denis in France.  
This King having the good inclination of his Nature confirmed, by being well brought up under his Father, ordained many good Laws for the reforming apparel, providing for the poor, maintenance of Justice, and relieving his oppressed Subjects; but especially he made a Law against swearing and blaspheming, and herein he did singularly well: but he disgraced these good actions, by permitting a bloody and fatal Combat, betwixt jarnac and Chastaignery, Gentlemen, upon the giving the lie, performed at St. German in Lay on the sixeteenth of July, before the King and diverse Princes and Noblemen, wherein Jarnac, held the weaker, got the better, and gave the other many deadly wounds whereof he died; whereupon the King did forbid all Combats.  
Thus he began his reign with this Tragedy, and ended it with his own; For at the marriage of Elizabeth of France, the King having published a solemn running at the Tilt, (as is before mentioned) the King would needs be one of the Challengers, and the second day of the Tourny, being persuaded by the Queen, and the Duke of Savoy to retire out of the Lists, he desired to run once more against the Earl of Montgomery, who first refused, but afterward run, and upon the King's Helmet broke his Lance, and with a splinter thereof (his Beaver being somewhat open) strikes him so deep in the eye, so that he died in his house at Tournells, in the 44. year of his age. The day before his death he would have the Duke of Savoy and the Lady Margaret his sister married in his Chamber. His heart was interred in the Celestines Church, in the Duke of Orleans his Chapel. His Character was good, but he was formerly voluptuous, and permitted himself to be abused by his Officers, selling Laws and his authority. For such Kings are but pictures of Princes without life, all power remaining in the subject, to the oppression and wrong of the Land.   

Francis the 2. and 60. King of France. Anno 1559.  depiction of Francis II  
THis Francis, King of Scotland by Mary Stuart his wife, at the age of fifteen years, and five Months, succeeded his father Henry, and was Crowned at Rheimes, September 1559. by the Cardinal of Lorraine, Archbishop of that See: after his Coronation, he went to conduct his Brother in law the Duke of Lorraine, and the Duchess Claudia his sister as fare as Barle Duke: from whence he returned into France, and sojourned for a while in the City of Blois, where he reform some abuses of those that followed his Court. In the mean time this Precedent Minard was slain in his own House, returning from Court: This murder was a cause that it was forbidden to carry trucheons and weapons. The Counsellor of Bourg was burnt for his Religion. The King having made preparations, sent the Lord of Martigues into Scotland, for the suppression of some Scots, who upon pretext of Religion were in Arms: during which time, Marry of Lorraine Dowager of Scotland deceased. At the same time also certain Gentlemen of France, being assembled in Arms near the City of Amboise, where the King was attended by the Cardinal of Lorraine, and his brother, the Duke of Guise, were discovered in a certain enterprise, which they pretended to be for the public good, and for the dispossessing of some strangers, usurpers of the King's authority, and Kingdom, contrary to the ancient authority of the three Estates of France; and also for making some remonstrances to the King concerning Religion: for which many were executed to death, amongst whom the Baron of Castelnau was one. At that time the Chancellor Oliver deceased, in whose place and dignity was instituted Monsieur de'l Hospital. Shortly after the King went to Orleans, there to settle himself, where he fell sick of an Apostume in his left ear, whereof he died the foureteenth of September, Anno Domini 1560. having reigned about eighteen months and twenty days, and lies interred at S. Denis.  
The Protestants were very much persecuted in this King's reign, and there were four prisoners of especial note, Castelnau, Villemongis, Campagnac, and le Picard, who cried out against the Chancellor that had signed the sentence of their deaths, who thereupon fell suddenly sick, and when the Cardinal of Lorraine came to visit him, cried out: O Cardinal thou hast damned us all. While the King lay dangerously sick, the Queen mother intending to support the Guisans, called the King of Navarre into her closet, to whom, as he was going a Lady of the Court said: My Lord, deny the Queen mother nothing that she shall demand, else you are dead: whereupon he signed what she desired, and thereby obtained her favour. Afterward the King died of Catarch and a Fever the 14. of December, whose seeds of virtue lay hid in his nature, and were not discerned, only some shows of courtesy, modesty, and continency were in his younger years apparent, and therefore his death was not much lamented, but of such as in his nonage possessed usurped estates. After his decease the Prince of Conde turned the stream of affairs. To give a brief Character of this King and his reign, he was a picture of Majesty drawn in raw colours, being young in years and judgement, governed by his Mother, and his wives Uncles. The Princes of Blood were in his reign not regarded, power and might prevailed in Court, and the Clergy sought protection from the disturbers of France. The Nobility were engaged in wars, and the people divided in matters of Religion, and in the Court factions were maintained: this was the face and complexion of those times; miseries incident to the minority of Princes.   

Charles the 9 and 61. King of France. Anno 1560.  depiction of Charles IX  
THis Charles the ninth, at the Age of thirteen, succeeded his Brother Francis. He pursued the enterprises of his Predecessor, for his State affairs, which were begun the eighth of December' Anno Domini 1560. at Orleans, and and afterward finished at Pontoise, August and September following, Anno Domini 1561. At that time he assembled the Prelates of France at Possi to a Nationall Counsel. The January following it was permitted to the Huguenots to make their exercises and Sermons out of the Cities. Whereupon ensued great troubles, wars, and slaughters of great Lords and personages, as of the King of Navarre, who was slain before Roven; and in the battle of Dreux, which was given the 19 of March, Anno Domini 1562. the Marshal of St. Andrew, and the Duke of Guise were slain before Orleans. A while after, the Town of Haure de Grace was recovered, which had been before yielded to the English. The King at the Parliament at Roven, being declared Mayor, after an Edict of Pacification made, went to visit his Kingdom, Anno domini 1564. and went to meet his sister, the Queen of Spain, at Bayonne, where great magnificences were performed. After having visited the Gascogne, Guienne, and Poitou, he came to Moulins, where he made many excellent Ordinances. The second civil war sprung up, wherein, after that the King had made an escape out of Meaux, the battle of St. Denis was fought, wherein the Constable was wounded, which was a cause of another Pacification, by reason of the siege of Chartres, which was broken by the third intestine war, which continued two year's space; during which, the battle of jarnac was fought, wherein the Prince of Conde was slain; and another battle at Montcontour. After which, another Edict of Pacification was made, Anno Domini 1570. Afterwards the King married the Lady Elizabeth of Austria, daughter to the Emperor Maximilian. Also the marriage of the King of Navarre was celebrated Anno Domini 1573. and the 24. of August, the same year the Admiral was slain in Paris, with a great number of the Hugonots and Rochel was besieged. Then a fourth pacification by the election in Poland of the Duke of Anjou, brother to the King, was made: he being gone in his Kingdom of Poland, was certified of his brother, the Kings, death on the 30. of May, at the Bois de Vincennes, 1574. having one daughter who died an Infant. He lies at St. Denis.  
He was a Prince that had excellent natural gifts, but blended and mingled with vices, wherewith his Governors and Schoolmasters had corrupted his young mind, which at the first was more virtuously inclined, delighting in Music and Poetry. But as he was a great Hunter, that loved to shed the blood of wild beasts, so he suffered also (during his reign) the Protestants blood to be shed, and in revenge thereof in his sickness before his death great store of blood issued out by vomiting, and by other passages of his body, in the two last weeks of his sickness, wherein he endured as much pain and torment, as the strength of youth could suffer in the last pangs of death. And this judgement shown that God loves not the Prince that thirsts after his subjects blood, which is the very blood of the Prince. Some few hours before his death he said: It was a great comfort unto him that he left no heir Male lawfully begotten; for leaving him young, he must endure many crosses, and France had need of a man.   

Henry 3. the 62. King of France. Anno 1575.  depiction of Henry III  
THis Henry the third was at the instant of his brother's death, in his Kingdom of Poland, whereof he having notice, he in privacy went out of Poland, and arrived at Lions the sixth of September, Anno 1574, and was consecrated at Rheims February the 13. Anno Dom. 1575., and the 15. of the same Month he married Madam Loyse of Lorraine, Daughter of the Count of Vaudemont. After in the year 1576, he convocated his Statesmen to Blois, where singular good Statutes were enacted. Anno Domini 1577. there was an Edict of Pacification published for the quiet of his Kingdom. He began the foundation of the Augustine's Bridge Anno Dom. 1578. The Order of the Knights of the Holy Ghost was by him instituted, Anno Dom. 1579. After his Edict of Pacification, until the decease of his only brother Monsieur the Duke of Anjou his Kingdom was in peace: but soon after, Anno Domini 1585., there grew up a faction pernicious to him and his Estate, which was called the Ligue, or the holy Union, the Author whereof was the King of Spain, purposely to hinder Henry King of Navarre from his access to the Crown of France, to whom after the decease of this King, it of right did belong. This Faction was violated under a colour of Religion, which was of such a force, that the Principality thereof made sure of the primest Cities in the whole Kingdom, their own, and amongst the rest, Paris itself: the Inhabitants whereof having barricadoed themselves against their King on the twelfth of May, Anno Domini 1588., he was constrained to retire himself to Chartres, and thence to Roven. In the end the second time he assembled his men of State at Blois, at the end whereof he caused the Duke and Cardinal of Guise to be executed. Upon which execution Paris revolted, together with the prime Cities of the Realm, and the Rebels made the Duke of Mayenne to be their Chief: which was a cause that the King removed his Parliament to Tours in March, in the year 1589, and being reconciled to the King of Navarre, he went to beleaguer Paris, and being at St. Cland, on the first day of August he was most traitorously stabbed with a knife in the bottom of his belly by a Jacobin, of which wound he died the day following in that siege in the midst of his Army, having reigned 15. years and two Months. His Corpse was conducted to Compaigne, where it remaineth to this day entombed.  
This King plotting before his receiving the Crown, how to ruin the Huguenots, the Emperor told him, that there was no greater sin than to force men's consciences; for such as think to command them, supposing to win Heaven, do often lose that which they possess on Earth. He was at last murdered (as was said) by a Jacobin Friar, who as the King bended down to hear in private that which he expected, drew a knife out of his sleeve made a purpose, and thrust his Majesty into the bottom of the belly, and there leaves the knife in the wound: The murderer was by those which ran to help the King, presently killed. But the King lived awhile, and at his death he advised them to unite themselves in revenging his murder, but yet he forgave his enemies, and charged them to seek the preservation of the Realm, by purging out Faction. And lastly he wished them to refer the difference of Religion to the Convocation of the Estates of the Realm, saying that Piety is a duty of man to God, over which worldly force hath no power. The Picture of his mind was fair and lovely, being drawn with the lines of wit, eloquence, gravity, devotion, affection to learning, bountiful to desert, reforming abuses, peaceable and willing to hear counsel, but this comely beauty was disgraced by a pale weakness in adversity, a smiling wantonness, and too liberal a prodigality, which somewhat blemished this Prince, who had otherwise been an exact piece of perfection, worthy to be placed among the chiefest Monarches.   

Henry the 4, the 63. King of France. Anno 1589.  depiction of Henry IV  
THis Henry the fourth, surnamed the Great, King of Navarre, as first of the Bourbon line, being descended from Robert, the last son of St. Lewis, succeeded to the Crown of France by consent and assistance of the Nobility, and Army of the late Henry, by whose deplored death it was dispersed, retired himself to Dieppe, where he was besieged by the Duke of Mayenne with a potent Army, which by this King was routed, with a small number of Arques the 21. of September, Anno Domini 1589. And from thence pursued his victory even to Paris, taking the Suburbs thereof upon All-Hallows Eve. Afterwards he recovered Vendosm le Man's and Falaise.  
The fourteenth of March 1590., he obtained the famous victory of Yury, after which he blocked up Paris and St. Denis, and reduced them to such an extremity of famine, that in July following St. Denis yielded itself to his power, and Paris also was upon the point of surrender. April, 1591. the City of Chartres after a long siege was yielded up also to him.  
january, 1593. began the Estates of the Ligue at Paris, and the Truce of Saresne followed, which being in dispute the King took the City of Dreux, and shortly after he was instructed in the Roman Faith, whereof he made a public and solemn profession at St. Denis, the 25. of July. August following the general Truce began, and continued until the first day of the year 1594, which being expired, the King caused himself to be crowned at Chartres by the Bishop of that See, the 27. of February. Hereupon ensued the submission of Meaux, Lions, Orleans, Bourges, Roven and Paris, where the King was most magnificently entertained.  
A while after the City of Laon was besieged, and yielded up to the King, and upon that Champagne and Picardy also submitted, yea, and the Duke of Guise. The King being returned to Paris, was stabbed in the face with a knife by a young desperate Student called John Chastel, who for that fact was deservedly torn in pieces with wild Horses the 29. of December.  
The King being recovered of his hurt, made Knights of the Holy Ghost, in January, 1595. After the City of Dijon submitted, and in a manner all Burgundy. Also the second general Truce was published, and in the interim the reconciliation of the Duke of Mayenne was wrought, together with those of the Dukes of Toyeuse and Espernon.  
In the beginning of the year 1596, the City of Marsilles was surrendered to the King, and to the Duke of Guise, Governor of Provence: He also after eight Month's siege, took the Town of La Fere in Picardy about mid May, notwithstanding the resistance of the Spanish forces then under the Conduct of the Archduke of Austria, who came purposely out of Flanders to raise that siege.  
At Roven in a general assembly of the Peers of France, the Alliance between him and Queen Elizabeth of England was renewed by Embassages extraordinary in October, when the King received from her the Order of St. George, (alias) the Garter, as, not long before, the Order of the Chivalry or Knighthood of France was sent unto the Queen of England, by Monsieur the Marshal of Bovillon.  
Anno Domini 1599 the King made ordinary Knights of the Holy Ghost at Roven, which was never there done before, at any other place than at Paris.  
Not long after, the Town of Amiens was taken by the Spaniards, and cruelly pillaged for the space of 5. days, and the French beaten out. The King resolved upon a revenging siege, and to that end caused it to be encompassed by Monsieur the Marshal of Byron and his Troops for the impeachments of all manner of supplies: and the King in person the 21. of May marched towards the said siege of Amiens, which after many furious assaults, Sallies, and Skirmishes, was surrendered upon composition upon Thursday the 25. of September, notwithstanding that the Cardinal of Austria came even to the Trenches with an Army of 18000. foot, and 2000 Horse, with 18. Cannons for Battery, but was valiantly beaten back, and intercepted of his design of relieving the City, and enforced to a shameful retreat, with the loss of a great part of his men.  
The same year the Marriage of the King with Madam Margaret of France for many strong and lawful causes was annulled and made void, and by the Authority of Pope Clement the eight, was so published.  
The year 1600. the Marriage of the King was treated, and concluded with the Lady Mary of Medicis, Princess of Florence, Daughter of the late Great Duke of Tuscany, Francis of Medicis, and of Joan of Austria, Daughter of the Emperor Ferdinand, and in May she in her own Country was proclaimed Queen of France.  
The 13. of June 1602. Charles Duke of Byron, and Lord High Marshal of France, being come to Fontainbleau, was arrested upon high Treason by the King's command, and from thence conveyed to the Bastile at Paris. He was convicted by his Peers for attempts against the King's Person and State, and upon the Monday before, being the 29. of July, he was adjudged to lose his head, with the confiscation of his goods, and the land of Byron deprived for ever of being a Duchy and Pairy of France, and was reunited to the Crown.  
It was pleaded against him, Qui nec virtute nec fide prodest, prosit exemplo: He that can never profit by his virtue, nor his loyalty, must profit by his example; and thereupon he was condemned, and put into the said Bastile, whither the Chancellor coming to pronounce the sentence of death against him, he shaked the Chancellor by the Arm, saying, You have judged me, and God will absolve me; he will lay open their iniquities, which have shut their eyes, because they would not see my innocency: You my Lord shall answer for this injustice before him, whither I do summon you within a year and a day. I go before by the judgement of men, but those that are the cause of my death, shall come after by the judgement of God. Afterward he said, I see well that I am not the most wicked, but I am the most unfortunate. Those that have done worse than I would have done, are favoured, the King's Clemency is dead for me. He doth not imitate Caesar nor Augustus, or those great Princes, who not only pardoned the intention of doing ill, but the Act; and wherein can the King show himself greater than in pardoning? Clemency is a Kingly virtue; every one may give Death, but it belongs only to Sovereignty to give life: But the Chancellor told him, that a condemned man must not dispute against his Judgement, whereupon the Duke of Byron delivered up the King's order. Afterward the Chancellor said that he had brought two Divines to comfort him, and prepare him for death, but the Duke said, That he was already prepared, and that his soul was in such tranquillity, as the night before he had spoken with God. Within few days after he was beheaded, and his body interred by night in the Church of S. Paul.  
The year 1604. the King was advertised that one Nicholas l' Host, Secretary of State, discovered to the King of Spain, (from whom he received an annual Pension to that end) the secrets and affairs of the State: upon the notice taken L' Host put himself in flight for his own safety, but he was so closely followed and pursued, that he was enforced to hide himself in the River of Marne, where he died through cold and fear. His body being found, was condemned to be drawn in pieces with wild horses, and the four quarters to be set upon four wheels at four gates of Paris. The year 1610. there were taken out of the Arsenal of Paris Fifty great Guns, with store of Munition of powder and shot, and great numbers of Soldiers were levied.  
The King intended shortly after to enter into his Army, but he would first see his Queen should be crowned at St. Denis, which was performed with great solemnity. But the next day after this Magnificence and pomp of the Queen's Coronation, this great King was on Friday the 14. of May, 1610. about four in the afternoon most traitorously murdered in his Caroche with two stabbs with a knife near the region of his heart, passing in the Street of the Ferronery, near the charnels of the Innocents' Churchyard, by Francis Ravaillac, borne in Angolesme. His Obsequies were performed the three days following, the 21, 22, 23. of June, with infinite tears and lamentations: and after many funebriall solemnities, his Corpse was conducted to St. Denis, where it remaineth interred.  
He lived fifty six years, and thirty one days. He reigned in Navarre Thirty seven years, eleven months, or thereabout; and in France Twenty years, nine months, and thirteen days.   

Lewis the 13. and 64. King of France. Anno 1610.  depiction of Lewis the XIII  
LEwis the 13. at his age of eight years, seven Months, and seventeen days, succeeded his Father Henry the Great, and the fifteenth of May, Anno Domini 1610. he sat personally in the Court of Parliament, then sitting at the Augustine's, where, in the presence of the Queen his mother, who sat by him of the one side, four Cardinals, four Ecclesiastical Peers of France, some Princes of the Blood, and other Princes, who met in that assembly; also of the Constable, with many Dukes and secular Peers, of the Marshals of France, and Officers of the Crown, of Governors of Provinces, of Precedents and Counsellors of the Parliament, he by the Mouth of the Lord Sillery his Chancellor declared his Mother to be Regent in France, that she might have the tuition of his person, and the administration of the affairs of his Kingdom, during his minority, with all authority and power, according to the charge of that Court given the day before.  
The same Month the criminal indictment was preferred against the most inhuman Parricide, Francis Ravaillac, and on the 23. of May, he was declared guilty, and justly attainted, and convicted of the crime of Laesae Majestatis in the highest degree, in the great Court and Chamber of Turnella in Paris, before all the Assemblies, Precedents, Counselors, and Commissioners, at the request of Du Viquit, Attorney General to the King, whose place and authority was there then to inquire against this Francis Ravaillac, for the murder of his late Sovereign Henry the fourth, King of France and Navarre: Whereupon this Ravaillac with a sad and deathlike countenance, holding up his guilty hand before this great assembly, presently confessed guilty; and that he became this his Country's shame, only by the instigation of the Devil; and not any other accomplices and confederates would he reveal, but in a Satanical manner vowed himself to secrecy; and being found guilty, he was with a strong guard of armed men conveyed to prison, which otherwise by the violence and rage of the common people, had been torn in pieces, such was their love they owed to their late King: for which Fact he was condemned to pay his forfeit before the great gate of our Lady Church in Paris, and thence to be conveyed to the place of execution; and in the mean time, to make him confess, he was to be pinched with hot Pincers upon his breasts, arms, buttocks, thighs, and the Calves of his legs; his right hand to be burnt off with fire of brimstone, with an order, that in those places where he was so pinced, melted Lead should be poured, boiling Oil, Pitch, , Wax, and Brimstone, melted altogether. This being done, that his body should be torn in pieces, and dismembered by four horses, and that his Limbs should be burnt and consumed to ashes, and cast into the wind; all his goods to be confiscate to the King: that the house wherein he was borne, should be demolished, and never any Edefice upon that ground to be built: that within fifteen days after the publication of this sentence in the town of Angolesme, his Father and Mother should departed the Realm, and never return again, upon pain of being hanged, without any other proceed: It was also forbidden in the aforesaid High Court, that his brothers, sister's uncles, and all others that bear the name of Ravaillac, to whom it was enjoined to change it into another name, upon the same penalty: All which was published and put in execution the same day, by the order of the whole assembly in the aforesaid Court in Paris: but before I conclude, I will speak again of the manner of his death; because in that place I will not omit some things more worthy of note.  
Afterwards it was provided for the Funerals and obsequies of the dead King, and then the body of the late Henry the third was removed from the Town of Compeigne to be interred at St. Denis; which was performed, and the heart of this Henry the Great, at the same time was carried to the Jesuits at la Flech.  
The Sorbone renewed the Decree of the Council of Constance against Parricides of Kings, and by the Court of Parliament upon the juine, it condemned a Book of john Mariana, one of the Society, a Spaniard entitled De Rege & Regis institutione, and caused it to be burnt by the Executioner before our Lady's Church.  
The Martial de la Chastra, being sent with an Army of twelve thousand foot, and two thousand Horse to Tulliers, which he took the second of September.  
Divers Ambassadors came to Paris to the King, to bemoan and condole with him the death of his father: and King james of England sent unto him the Order of the Garter, which he received the foureteenth of September.  
The 17. of October the King was consecrated at Rheimes, and the next day he received the Order of the Holy Ghost; and he gave the Order to the Prince of Conde, and returned to Paris, where he was magnificently entertained.  
The six and twentieth of November it was proceeded and decreed in the Court of Parliament against a Book of Cardinal Bellarmine, touching the Pope's authority In Temporalibus, which was forbidden to be printed, to be sold, or kept, upon pain of High Treason.  
The seventeenth day of November, Anno Domini 1611. the Duke of Orleans, brother to the King, deceased at St. Germane en Lay, and his body was conveyed to St. Denis in France.  
The Lord of Vatan made a kind of a Rebellion in Berry, whereupon his Castle was taken, and he carried to Paris, where he was beheaded the second, of January, Anno Domini 1612.  
This year were solemnised the marriages of the King with the Lady Anne Infanta of Spain, and of the King's Sister, with the Prince of Spain.  
The year 1614 the Prince of Conde retired himself to Paris, and the marquis D' Ancre was made Marshal of France.  
The Statue of Brass of Henry the Great, was by the great Duke of Tuscany sent to Paris, and placed with the Horse of Brass, upon the midst of the New Bridge; And about that time the Prince of Conty died.  
The Prince distasted with the King's espousals with the Queen at Burgos, made a hurly burly in the Country, but the espousals being ended, the Duke of Guise with a strong Army conducted her to Fontarable, where she was received by the Spaniards, and an exchange being made, the Queen was by the said Duke conveyed to Bourdeaux, where she was most magnificently entertained by the King, where he expected her, and the Nuptials were celebrated on St. Katherine's day.  
The year 1616. such was the rigour of cold weather in January, that the Rivers were frozen, and the ye was the cause of the fall of St. Michael's at Paris.  
The 16. of August, the taking of Peronne was a cause of new commotions, and the first of September was apprehended at the Lowre, and after kept under a strong guard in the Bastile.  
Many of the Lords retired from the Court, as the Duke of Vendosme, of Nevers, of Guise, of Mayenne, and Bovillon, with other Lords, whereof some returned again, the others not: which was a cause that the King in Parliament declared the causes wherefore he kept the Prince his brother in hold.  
In the beginning of the year 1617. he made a Declaration against the Duke of Nevers in Parliament, the 17. of January, also in February against the Dukes of Vendosme, Mayenne, Bovillon, the marquis of Caevure, and the Precedent le Jay. Also another Declaration was made in March for the reunion to his domains, and a Confiscation of the goods of the said Nobility upon the 16. of the said Month.  
This King succeeded after the Tragical death of his Father, when great troubles were like to follow; but all those clouds were blown away, and this young Prince shined forth like the Sun in a clear sky. First of all he went to the Parliament, and made a Declaration that his Mother should be Queen Regent during his minority. Afterward the Jesuits received his Father's heart, with great Ceremony, being received into La Flech. Here the Arraignment and cruel Execution of the Murderer Ravilliac deserves to be drawn forth in black colours. Imagine that Ravilliac was first arraigned after he had been put to the Rack, then condemned, afterward he was brought out of the prison in his shirt, with a Torch of two pound weight lighted in one hand, and the knife wherewith he had murdered the King, chained to the other: then he was set upright in a Dung-cart, now he is doing penance at our Lady's Church; now imagine the raging people are ready to tear him in pieces, but the Officers restrain them; the Murderer came to the Scaffold, he crosses himself in sign that he died a Papist; he was bound to a St. Andrews Cross, than his fatal hand with the knife chained to it, smokes in a Furnace of fire and brimstone; it is consumed, yet he will not confess any thing, but roar and cry like to a Soul in hell, but yet unpitied: and then his flesh was pulled off with hot Pincers, and burnt, than scalding Oil, , pitch, and brimstone, melted together, were poured into his wounds, and on his navel a roundel of Clay was set, into the which they poured melted Lead, and then he roared, but confessed nothing. At last, to conclude this Tragedy, his body was torn in pieces with four strong Horses, which could not pluck them asunder, being so firmly knit together, until the flesh under his arms and thighs was cut. In this manner was this Parricide tormented and executed, being the horrid picture of a Traitor, suffering extreme tortures, yet misery nor death could not enforce from him any confession. And surely if Hell's tortures might be felt on earth, it was approved in this man's punishment, yet he would reveal nothing, but that he did it by the instigation of the Devil, and his main reason was, because the King tolerated two Religions in his Kingdom. Oh small occasion, that for this cause one servile slave should thou quench the great light of France, whose brightness glistered thorough Europe: One thing this Villain confessed, that of all the several torments that were invented and laid upon him, none was more terrible to him, than his loss of sleep for six days and nights together, for there were appointed several officers by turns to keep him waking, by thrusting red-hot bodkins into his breasts and sides; so that if he did but offer to wink or give a nod, then presently they awaked him with those Irons. He was torn in pieces as I said before, and his bones burnt, the ashes whereof were scattered in the wind, as being thought unworthy of the earth's burial. This Ravaillac was borne at Angolesme, and by profession a Lawyer, and was persuaded as it is thought, by the Jesuits to perpetrate this bloody act, by murdering this King's Father, Henry the fourth, the hope of Learning, and the glory of Arms. Afterward the Duke of Fener, Ambassador from Spain, came to Paris, and being brought into the King's presence, he said that he came from the King his Master to visit his Majesty. This young Prince answered, I thank the King my brother for his good will, I will remember him and you also: Seeing he desires it, he may expect from me all friendship and good intelligence, such as he had with the deceased King my Father. Afterward the Lord Wotton, Ambassador from England, came to Paris, and then Ambassadors for confirmation of mutual league being sent into Spain, England, and to Rome, the King was at Rheims with solemn pomp and great state crowned.   
FINIS.   

The Table of all the Names of the Kings of FRANCE, which are contained in this Book.  

PHaramond, the first King of France, Anno Domini 429. page 1.  
Cloion or Clodion, the second King of France, Anno. Dom. 432. pag. 5  
Merovaeus, the third King of France, An. Dom. 450. pag. 9  
Chilperick or Hilperick, the fourth King of France. Anno 470. pag. 14  
Clovis, the fifth King of France, and the first Christian King of that Nation. Anno 485. pag. 18  
Childebert the sixth King of France. Anno 514. pag. 23  
Clotharius the first of that Name, and the seventh King of France. An. 559. p. 28  
Cherebert, the eighth King of France. Anno 564. pag. 32  
Chilperic, the ninth King of France. Anno 577. pag. 36  
Clotharius, the second of that name, and the 10. King of France. Anno 586. p. 40  
Dagobert, the 11. King of France. Anno 632. pag. 44.  
Clovis, alias, Lewis, the second of that name, the 12. King of France. Anno 645. pag. 49  
Clotharius, the third of that name, and the 13. King of that Nation. Anno 666. pag. 53  
Childeric 2. the 14. King of that Nation, Anno 570. pag. 58  
Theodorick the 15. King of that Nation. Anno 680. pag. 62  
Clovis the 3. the 16. King of that Nation. Anno 689. pag. 67  
Childebert the 2. the 17. king of that nation. Anno 692. pag. 71  
Dagobert the 2. the 18. king of that Nation. Anno 710. pag. 75  
Clotharius the 4. the 19 king of that nation. Anno 719. pag. 79  
Daniel, alias, Chilperick, the 20. king of that Nation. Anno 719. pag. 83  
Theodorick the 2. the 21. king of that Nation. Anno 720. pag. 87  
Childerick the 3. the 22. king of that Nation. Anno 740. pag. 91  
Charles Martel, Duke and Prince of the French, Anno 788. pag. 95  
Pepin surnamed the short, the first of that name, the 23. king of that Nation, Anno 752. pag. 101  
Charlemagne, Emperor of Rome, the 24 king of France, An. 768. pag. 106  
Lewis the Debonair, Emperor of Rome, and the 25. king of France, Anno 814. pag. 111  
Charles the Bald, Emperor of Rome, the 26. king of France. An. 840. pag. 115  
Lewis and Charoloman, or Carlon, the 28. king of France. An. 879. p. 128  
Lewis the Lubber, and Charles the gross, the 29. king of France. An. 885. p. 126  
Eudes or Odo, the 30. king of France. Anno 891. pag. 130  
Charles surnamed the simple, the 31. king of France. An. 898. pag. 135  
Rodulph or Raoul of Burgundy, the 32 king of France. pag. 139  
Lewis the 4, the 33. king of that Nation, Anno 939. pag. 144  
Lotharius the 4, the 34. king of France, Anno 954. pag. 150  
Lewis the 5, the 35. king of France, Anno 986. pag. 155  
Hugh Capet, the first of that name, the 36. king of France, Anno 987. pag. 158  
Robert the 1, the 37. king of France, Anno 997. pag. 163  
Henry the 1, the 38. king of France, Anno 1031. pag. 168  
Philip the 1, the 39 king of France, Anno 1060. pag. 173  
Lewis the 6, the 40. king of France, Anno 1109. pag. 178  
Lewis the 7. was called Augustus, being the 41. king of France, An. 1131. p. 183  
Philip the 2, who was surnamed Augustus, the 42. king of France, Anno 1180. pag. 188  
Lewis the 8, the 43. king of France, Anno 1223. pag. 194  
Lewis the 9, the 44. king of France, Anno 1226. pag. 199  
Philip the 3, the 45. king of France, Anno 1271. pag. 205  
Philip the 4, the 46. king of France, Anno 1286. pag. 211  
Lewis the 10, who was surnamed Hutin, the 47. king of France, Anno 1315. pag. 216  
Philip the 5, the 48. king of France, Anno 1317. pag. 223  
Charles the 4, surnamed the Fair, the 49. king of France, Anno 1322. pag. 228  
Philip of Valois, the sixth of that Name, the 50. king of France, Anno 1327. p. 232  
A Relation of Edward the 3, King of England, who was the first that quartered the Arms of France, and made it subject to England, Anno 1351. pag. 237  
John the 1, the 51. king of France, Anno 1350. pag. 241  
Charles the 5, surnamed the Wise, the 52 King of France, Anno 1364. p. 246  
Charles the 6, the 53 King of France, Anno 1380. pag. 251  
A Relation of Henry the 5, king of England, who gave a great overthrow to the French at the Battle of Cressay, and still maintained the right left him by Edward the 3. of England. Anno 1412. pag. 258  
Charles the 7, the 54. king of France. Anno 1422. pag. 264  
Lewis the 11. the 55. king of France. Anno 1461. pag. 269  
Charles the 8, the 65. king of France. Anno 1483. pag. 281  
Lewis the 12, the 57 king of France. Anno 1499. pag. 287  
Francis of Valois, the first of that Name, was the 58. king of France. An. 1515 pag. 294  
Henry the 2, the 59 king of France. Anno 1547. pag. 299  
Francis the 2, the 60. king of France. Anno 1559. pag. 305  
Charles the 9, the 61. king of France. Anno 1560. pag. 310  
Henry the 3, the 62. king of France. Anno 1574. pag. 315.  
Henry the 4, surnamed the Great, the 63 king of France. An. 1589. pag. 320  
Lewis the 13, which now reigneth, styled the most Christian king, is the 64. King of France, and began his Reign in the year 1610. pag. 331   
FINIS.