A pattern OF POPISH PEACE. OR A Peace of Papists with Protestants.  
BEGINNING IN ARticles, Leagues, oaths, and a Marriage.  
And ending in a bloody Massacre of many thousand Protestants.  
LONDON. Printed by L. N. for RICHARD WHITAKER, and are to be sold at his shop in Paul's Church-yard at the sign of the Kings arms. 1644.   

To the Reader, that is wise already, or that he may be wise.  
ask and inquire what are the things of highest, most solemn, and sacred Obligation, that may call for trust in the way of peace between the sons of men, and when you have found them, then have you found those very things, of which Papists, and popishly affencted do make nets and snares to deceive Trust; and to destroy those that trust them; Be they Treaties, Leagues, oaths, Marriages: These, even these sacred bonds of a secure peace, are those that are turned into cords and fetters to bind those that trust them to an assured ruin and Destruction. So they are not safe, because in their nature they draw Trust, but because they draw trust, they are dangerous, for by that Trust they do deceive. Then by what Security can any be assured of any Peace with Papists, when the very Security doth Deceit, and Destroy? believe it therefore, that nothing under heaven but Power, can make you safe from Papists: For if they gain Trust from you, and you leave Power to them; you may see in the Papists of Ireland, what their fellowes would do in England; when they had nothing to complain of, but too much liberty for an Idolatrous Religion; yet withall having too much Power, they took advantage of that Power for an Irish Massacre of English Protestants. Surely now in all the kingdoms which this Crown carries in the Title of it, the Popish plot of war and murder hath had bloody passage, England, Scotland, France and Ireland. But let not us become Nurses to such a Crimson brat, by gaining it the white milk of a weak and simplo Peace. But where Trnst without Power would betray and destroy us, there let Power without any Trust( below that whereby the highest above will strengthen our Power) secure us. And to keep us close to this Rule; let the pattern of this Peace, made by French popery, stand like a pyramid before our eyes: And when you see it, hear it it also; for it speaks, and that which it speaks is this, Pray and provide; That the peace of French popery be not translated into English, by English Protestants.  
The end of the Epistle.   

A Declaration of the furious outrages of France, with the slaughter of the admiral.  
IT were to be wished that the memory of the fresh slaughters, and of that butcherly murdering that hath lately been committed in a manner in all the towns of France, were utterly put out of the minds of men: for so much dishonour, and so great infamy hath thereby stained the whole French Nation, that the most part of them are now ashamed of their own country, defiled with two most filthy spots, falsehood and cruelty. Of the which, whether hath been the greater, it is hard to say. But for as much as there fly every where abroad Pamphlets written by flatterers of the Court, and men corruptly hired for reward, which do most shamefully set out things feigned and falsely imagined, in stead of truth, I thought myself bound to do this service to posterity, to put the matter in writing as it was truly done indeed, being well enabled to have knowledge thereof, both by mine own calamity, and by those that with their own eyes beholded a great part of the same slaughters.  
In the year of our Lord 1561. when there seemed to be some peril of troubles to arise by reason of the multitude of such as embraced the Religion( which they call Reformed) for before that time the usual manner of punishing such as durst profess that Religion, was besides loss and forfeiture of all their goods to the Kings use, to burn their bodies, at the request of the great Lords and Nobility, there was holden an assembly of the Estates in the Kings house at Saint germans in Lay, near to the City of Paris, at which Assembly, in presence, and with the royal assent, of King Charles the ninth, 
A decree for the exercise of Religion in public meetings, whereupon a cruel Massacre.  it was decreed, that from thenceforth it should not be prejudicial to any man to profess the said Religion, and that it should be lawful for them to have public meetings and preachings for the exercise thereof, but in the Suburbs of towns only.  
At this Assembly Francis Duke of Guise, being descended of the House of lorraine, and at that time Grand Master of the Kings Household, was not present. But when he was informed of this Decree, he boiled with incredible sorrow and anger, and within few dayes after at a little town in Champagne called Vassey, while the Professors of the said Religion were there at a Sermon, he, accompanied with a band of souldiers, set upon them, and slay men and women to the number of two hundred.  
There was among these of the religion( for so hereafter according to the usual phrase of the French tongue wee intend to call them) Lewis of bourbon of the blood royal, commonly called Prince of Conde, after the name of a certain town, a man of great power by reason of his kindred to the King. Therefore when the Duke of Guise most vehemently strived against that law, and as much as in him lay, did utterly overthrow it, and troubled the common quiet thereby established, Gasper de Coligni admiral of France, and Francis de Andelot his brother, Captain of the Fantary, and other Princes, Noblemen and Gentlemen of the same Religion, come daily by heaps to the Prince of Conde, to complain of the outrageous boldness and untemperate violence of the Duke of Guise.  
At that time Katherine de Medices, Pope Clements brothers daughter, and mother of King Charles, born in Florence a city of italy, had the governance of the realm in the Kings minority. For though by the law of France, neither the inheritance nor the administration of the realm is granted to women, yet through the cowardly negligence of Anthony King of Navarre, the said Katherine de Medices the Kings mother, against the custom of the realm, was joined with him in that office of Protectorship. She fearing the presumption and fierce pride of the Guisans, 
The Qu. mothers Letters to the Prince of Conde.  wrote to the Prince of Conde with her own hand: which letters are yet remaining, and at the assembly of the Princes of Germany at frankford, holden under Ferdinand the Emperour, were produced and openly red about ten yeares past: wherein she earnestly besought him in so great hardness and distress not to for sake her, but to account both the mother and the children, that is, both herself and the King, and the Kings brethren, committed to his faith and natural kindness, and that he should with all speed, provide for their common safety: assuring him, that she would so imprint in the Kings mind his travel in that behalf, that he should never be loser by it.  
Within few dayes after the Duke of Guise wel-knowing how great authority the name of the King would carry in France, 
The policy of the Duke of Guise to get the King into his power, that he might the better effect his wicked enterprizes.  and to the intent that he would not seem to attempt any thing rather of his own head than by the privity of the king, and having attained fit partners to join with him in these enterprises, he got the King into his power. Which thing being known abroad, and many hard encumbrances thereupon suddenly rising, and a great part of the nobility of France marvelously troubled with it, the Prince of Conde by advice of his friends, thought it best for him to take certain towns and furnish them with garrisons: which was the beginning of the first civill war. For the Prince of Conde alleged the cause of his taking arms, 
The beginning and cause of the first Civil war.  to be the defence of the Kings Edict, wherein consisted the safety of the common weal, and that it could not be repealed without most assured undoing of the nation of France, and destruction of the nobility, by reason of the exceeding great multitude of those that daily joined themselves to that Religion: Of which number such as being of noble birth, or were in power, dignity, wealth, and credit above the rest, thought it not meet for them to suffer the punishments and cruelties accustomend to be extended on the professors thereof; beside that, they held themselves discontented that the Duke of Guise one newly come, a stranger, translated from the forrests of lorraine into France, would take upon him in France so great courage and so high dominion and power. thereto was added the queen mothers singular care( as was reported) for conservation of peace and repressing the rage of the Guisians. Upon which opinion it is certian that above twenty thousand men having regard onely to the queens inclination, joined themselves to the side of those of the Religion, and to the defence of their profession, which at that time had besiged the force of the Kings power.  
After certain battailes and many losses on both parts, 
The Duke of Guise slain, whereupon a peace concluded, with condition of free exercise of Religion. The injuries done to the Protestants by the Papists continually notwithstanding the Peace.  and the Duke of Guise slain, within a year, peace was made with this condition, that they of the Religion should have free liberty thereof, and should have assemblies and preachings for the exercise of the same in certain places.  
This peace continued in force, but not in all places, during five yeares: for in the most towns and jurisdictions, the Officers that were affectionate to the Romish side, whom they commonly call catholics, did all the displeasures they could to those of the Religion. Therefore, when Ferdizando Alvares de Toledo, commony called Duke of Alva, was leading an army not far from the frontiers of France, against those of the low country which embraced the reformed Religion, 
The Qu. mother obtains an army of swissers under a false pretence of defence, to oppress the Prince of Conde, & the admiral, and the other Protestants.  against the will of the King of spain, the queen mother caused to be levied and brought in to France six thousand swissers for a defence( as she caused it to be bruited) but as the success hath proved, for this intent, that the Prince of Conde, the admiral and other noble men of the Religion, if they escaped the treason prepared for them, and listed to defend themselves by force, and try it by battle, might be suddenly oppressed ere they were provided. For the courtiers which then had the managing of these matters, did not at that time well trust the souldiers of France. Many things pertaining to the course of that time, and the renewing of the war, must here for hast to our present purpose be necessary omitted.  
When the war had endured about six months, peace was made with the same conditions that we have above rehearsed, that all men should have free liberty to follow and profess the Religion reformed. For this was ever one and the last condition upon all the warres. But within few dayes or months after, 
The treachery of the Peace.  it was plainly understood, that the same peace was full of guile and treason, and finally, that it was no peace, but most cruel war cloaked under the name of peace. For forthwith all those towns which they of the Religion had yielded up, were possessed and strengthened with garrisons of souldiers of the contrary side, saving one town on the sea-coast in the parts of Xantoigne commonly called Rochell. For the men of that town about two hundred yeares before, had yielded themselves to the Kings power and allegiance, with this condition, that they should never be constrained against their will to receive any garrison souldiers.  
Also the Princes of Conde and the admiral were advertised; 
Advertisement of treason against the Prince of Conde, & the admiral, by Tavaignes made Marshall of France hereupon.  that there was treason again prepared to entrap them by Tavaignes, a man given to murder and mischief, which had lately been made Marshall of France, and that if they did not speedily avoid the same, it should shortly come to pass, that they should be deceived and taken by him, and delivered up to the cruelty of their adversaries.  
Upon the receipt of these advertisements, they immediately make hast to Rochell, carrying with them their wives and young children, 
The beginning of a third civill war  which was the beginning of the third civill war, the most sharp and miserable of all the rest.  
There was at that time in the Court, Charles cardinal of Lorain, brother to the Duke of Guise, which( as is above said,) was slain in the first war, one accounted most subtle and crafty of all the rest, but of a terrible, cruel and troublesone disposition, and thought intolerable even at Rome itself. This man, they of the reformed Religion reported to be the most sharp and hateful enemy of their profession, and him they abhorred above all other for the cruelty of his nature, and name him the firebrand of all civill flames. He at the beginning of the third civill war, 
Notwithstanding the Kings former Edicts by the persuasion of Charles cardinal of Lorain, he publisheth an Edict, that no man profess any Religion but the Romish.  persuaded the King to publish an Edict, that no man profess any Religion but the Romish or Popish, and that whosoever should embrace any other, should be accounted as traitors. In that same Edict Printed at Paris, this sentence was expressly conteynd, and for the strangeness of the matter, and for that it stained the Kings name with the most dishonourable spot of perjury and breach of faith, it was in other impressions afterward omitted. And it was further then declared, that albeit the King had in many edicts before that time permitted the freedom of Religion, yet his meaning ever was to retain and cause to be retained of all men, the onely Romish or popish Religion within his realm.  
After many overthrows on both partes given and received, whereas the end of this third war was thought likely to be the harder, by reason of the breach of faith in the yeares before, and on the other side the state of the realm by reason of the waste that the Cities were brought unto, and extreme poverty of the mean people and husbandmen, did require some treaty of composition, the King sent messengers to the admiral, 
Civill Peace propounded upon pretence of joining against a foreign enemy.  to signify unto him in the Kings name, that the King himself had at length found out a most sure way of peace and concord, namely that the armies of both partes joined together, should go into the low country against the Duke of Alva which had been the author of the late calamities in France. He signified further, that he had great causes of quarrels against the King of spain, and this principally, that he had invaded and held by force, an iceland of the newfound Land called Florida, which had been taken by the French, and kept under his dominion, suddenly slaying all the souldiers there: & likewise the Marquesdome of final, the inhabitants whereof had but a little time before, yielded themselves to the Kings subjection and allegiance. He said that the most steadfast band of concord should be that foreign war, and that there could no other better mean be devised to drown the memory of the former dissensions in eternal forgetfulness.  
To the performance hereof, he said it was a matter of most apt opportunity, that Lodovick Count of Nassaw, brother to to the Prince of Aurenge, had been now two yeers in the admirals camp, to whom the admiral gave principal credit in all things, and that by him and his fellowes of the low country, & others whom he understood to favour his part, it might easily bee brought to pass that certain Cities might be surprised. and thereby great advantage be attained to the achieving of the war.  
The admiral hearing these things was marvelously troubled. For albeit he doubted not of the Kings fidelity, yet therewithal many things fell into his mind to be considered: as the power of the cardinal and rest of the Guisians, who were well known to have been at all times most affectionate to the King of spain. For the Duke of Guise had left a son, a very young man, called Henry, to whom the queen had given all the offices and places of honor that his father had born before, being unfit thereto by age, and against the ancient laws and customs, and also through the traitorous infidelity of certain of the Kings counsel, whom she knew for their affection to Popish Religion, to be most addicted to the Spanish King and that divers of them had great yearly pensions of him, and did disclose unto him the affairs of the realm. 
The Admirals snares in the undertaking of this war.  He remembered how hereby it came to pass, that the same Kings ambassador( which among strange nations seemed utterly incredible) was admitted into the privy counsel of France, and that one Biragio a lombard, and( as it is reported) a traitor to his own country, otherwise altogether unlearned, and specially ignorant of the civill Law, was yet for the subtlety of his wit advanced to so great honour, that he executed the chancellors office, Michael hospital being displaced, a man known to be such a one, as there was not in all degrees of men any either more wise, or more learned, or more zealously loving his country. Here withall he considered the slanderous cavillations of his adversaries, to whom hereby might seem an occasion given, as if the admiral were of a troublesone nature, and could not abide any quietness, nor could long rest at home without some tumultuous stir. Hereunto the messiengers replied as they were able, and therewithal alleged this cause of so sudden hatred against the Spanish King, that one Albenie late returned out of spain, had informed the King and the queen mother for certainty, that King Philip a few moneths before, had poisoned his wife the French Kings sister, and had spread rumors of her throughout all spain, such as for the honour of many persons are meet not to be disclosed. But nothing moved the admiral so much as the cheerful earnestness of Lodovick of Nassaw, who as soon as he was advertised of that purpose of the King, omitted nothing that he thought might serve to encourage the admiral thereunto.  
The admiral persuaded hereby nothing fearing the infidelity of those of the Court, 
The admiral not fearing infidelity, harkens to a composition. Peace concluded with condition of liberty to use the Religion.  gave his mind to hearken to composition. And so was the third civill war ended, and the peace concluded with the same conditions that were before, that every man should have free liberty to use and profess the Religion.  
Within few monthes after this, divers Princes of Germany, that favoured the Religion reformed, and among those the three Electors, the palgrave, the Duke of Saxony, and the marquis of Brandeburge, sent their ambassadors into France to the King, to gratulate unto him for the new reconciliation of his Subjects. And because they accounted it greatly to behove themselves that the same concord should remain steadfast and of long continuance, they promised, that if any would for that cause procure trouble, or make war upon him either within his own dominions, or without, they and their followers should be ready to defend him. To this ambassage the King first by words, 
The Kings subscription, and faith given, sacredly to observe the pacification.  and afterward by a book subscribed with his own hand, answered and gave his faith, that he would for ever most sacredly and faithfully observe his Edict of pacification.  
Hereby so much the more willingly the admiral suffered himself to be drawn to the said purposes for the Low-countrey, although oftentimes calling to mind the nature of the Queen mother, he used to say to divers, and specially to Theligny, to whom he afterward married his daughter, that he greatly suspected the rolling wit of that woman. For( said he) so soon as she hath brought us into that preparation against the Low-countrey, she will leave us in the midst.  
nevertheless, the Count of Nassaw writeth to his brother, and they conferring their advices together, sand messengers to the King, that if it please him to deal with the matter of the Low-countrey, they will shortly so do, that he shall by their many and great services, well perceive their affection and devotion toward him. The King writeth again to them in most loving terms, saying that their Message most highly pleased him, and he gave to them both his hearty thanks.  
About the same time Maximilian the Emperour pitying the estate of the Prince of Aurenge( as he said) treated by his ambassadors with the King of spain, and had in maner obtained, that the Prince should have all his goods restored unto him, but with this condition, that he should have no house within the territory of the low country, but settling his residence and dwelling elsewhere, he should freely enjoy all his revenues. Which matter being reported to the French King, he immediately sent messengers to the Prince of Aurenge willing him to look for nothing by that dealing of the Emperour, saying that it was but a fraud and guileful device intended for this purpose, onely to break up his levying of souldiers that he had begun in germany: and assuring him, that if he would credit and follow him, he would give him aid sufficient to recover his estate.  
The Prince of Aurenge persuaded by these promises of King Charles, continued his musters, and determined a while to bear the charges though they were heavy to him, while such things as were necessary for the war, were in preparing. In the mean time Lodovick in disguised apparel went to Paris to the King. Forasmuch as the season of the year by this time seemed not commodious to levy an army, for the winter was at hand, by assent they deferred the matter till the next summer.  
These things thus hanging, the Prince of Aurenge his captaines by sea, did oftentimes set upon the Spanyards and Portugals, and such ships as they took they brought into the haven of Rochell, which then was in the power of the Prince of Condees part: and there they openly uttered and sold their prizes to the men of the town and other merchants of France, whereupon the ambassador of spain made often complaints to the Kings privy council.  
And forasmuch as they thought it very avaylable to this enterprise, that Elizabeth queen of England might be brought into league with them, the King committed the dealing in that matter to the admiral. For, 
The Admirals honourable entertainment at the Court.  a few moneths before, the King had with most sweet alluring letters, gotten him to the Court, where he was most honourably entertained: and to take from him all occasion of distrust upon his adversaries, or of otherwise suspecting of the Kings or queen mothers affection towards him, first, all the Guisians of a set purpose departed the Court then the King gave the admiral free liberty to take with him what company and what furniture he would: and because it was thought that he had more confidence in the Marshall Cosse, then in the rest, therefore the King commanded the said Marshall to be ever at hand with the admiral, and to assist him in the Kings name if any need were.  
The matter of the league with England, the Admiral so diligently and industriously handled, that within short space after by ambassadors sent, 
The League with England solemnly confirmed. And the first and chiefest condition, liberty of Religion and the observation of the Edict of Pacification.  and by faith given and received, and oaths solemnly taken on both parts, it was confirmed. Concerning the procurement of other leagues and amities, such as might seem to further the enterprise of the low country, the admiral also traveled in the Kings name, and by his commandement, and had in a manner brought all these things to an end. And of all those leagues, the first and principal condition was, that the liberty of Religion should continue, and that the King should most diligently and sincerely observe this Edict of pacification.  
Though these things seemed to be handled secretly, yet by the letters both of Biragio the Vicechancellor, of whom we made mention before, and of Morvilliers whem for his hypocritical leanness, children commonly called the Chimera or bug of the Court, and by advertisements of cardinal de Pelve, a man most fit either to invent or execute any treason, they were carried to the Bishop of Rome, 
The Popes ambassador to the King of France, with his ambassage.  who by advice of his Cardinals sent by & by one of their number, called Alexandrine, in the midst of most sharp winter into France, with these instructions, to persuade the King to enter into the society of the league of Trent, whereof the first and principal article was, that the confederates should join their powers and make war upon the Turks and heretics, meaning by the name of heretics, all those Princes that did permit the use of the reformed Religion within their dominions.  
The cardinal Alexandrine was honourably received in the court, but yet dismissed without achieving his purpose. For so was it bruited among the people, and commonly believed through-out France: albeit he himself secretly seemed to return very merry and cheerful to the Pope: and as it is reported, did sometime say that he received such answer of the King as was not to be published, and that the King and queen mother had largely satisfied him.  
Forasmuch as it was thought a matter greatly avayling to the enterprise of the low country, to sand certain ships into the English Seas that if any aid should be sent into the low country to the Duke of Alva out of spain, it might so be stopped, Strozza and the Baron de la Guard were appointed for that purpose, to whom the King gave in commandement to rig forth certain ships of bordeaux and Rochell, well armed and well appoynted, and to provide with all speed all things needful for those ships. The ambassador of spain somewhat moved with this preparation, made divers complaints to the Kings counsel on the behalf of the King his master, and yet never received any other answer, but that the King thought it not likely, and that he would sand Commissioners to bordeaux and to Rochel, with letters and commandement that there should be no preparation made to the sea, and if any had been made, it should be inquired of. what instructions were secretly and closely underhand given to these two captaines of that navy, we do not certainly know. But this no man can doubt of, but that they had commission to seize upon all ships wherein any Spanish souldiers should be transported into the low-countrey, and that all this preparation to the sea, was ordained against the Spanish King and the Duke of Alva.  
And moreover that the Admiral at the same time received commandement from the King, to sand spials into Peru, an iceland of the new found world, most plentiful of gold above all the other, now-being in the Spanyards dominion, to learn, if there were any good enterprise to be attempted or atchived for the getting of it. Which matter was committed to a certain gentleman, one of the Admirals train, who went thither accompanied with a certain portugal, a man most skilful of those Navigations, whom the admiral had joined with him by the Kings commandement.  
Now it can not be expressed how many and how great tokens of a most loving mind the King at that time shewed to the Admiral, and to the County Rochfoucault, and to Theligny, and to the rest of the chief Noble-men of the Religion. 
Many most specious tokens of the Kings love to the admiral.  First, all such things as in the former warres had been taken away in the towns, Fermes and castles of the admiral and d' Andelot, the King caused to be sought out and restored. If there were any other whom the King understood to be beloved and esteemed of the admiral, or to have attained any special honour in the said late warres, those he liberally benefited and rewarded. To the admiral himself he commanded one day to be given an hundred thousand pounds of his own treasure in recompense of his former losses. When his brother the cardinal chastilion, endowed with many great and wealthy benefice, 
The King writes to the Duke of Savoy for savour to be shewed to them of the Religion.  was departed this life, the King gave him the fruits of one whole year. Also the King wrote to Philibert Duke of Savoy, that he should do him a most acceptable pleasure, if he did not only deal more gently with those that in the former wars had aided those of the Religion, but also would use clemency and mildness toward all other that professed the same Religion within his dominions.  
And for that there was old enmity between the Guisans and the admiral, whereby it was to be doubted that perilous contentions would arise in the realm of France, 
The Kings reconcileing the Guisans and the admiral.  The King willed it to be signified to them both in his name, that they should for his sake and the commonweals, give over those displeasures, and he prescribed them a certain form of reconciliation and agreement, the same whereof the foundations had been laid almost six years before in the town of Molins, where the King calling to him the greatest Estates of the realm after consultation and deliberation had upon the matter, pronounced the admiral not guilty of the death of the Duke of Guise, wherewith he was charged by the young Duke of Guise and his kinsmen: and so the King by the advice of his Counsel had ended that controversy.  
Furrhermore, 
cardinal Loraines departure to Rome, and C●rdinall Pelvey, under pretence of choosing a new Pope.  the cardinal of lorraine( who as we have said was the very forger of all the former warres) to take away all jealousy of new practices, was departed to Rome, and took with him his familiar friend the late created cardinal Pelvey, one reputed a most subtle and crafty person, under pretence of going to the election of a new Pope in place of the old Pope then lately deceased.  
But there was none greater and more assured token of public peace and quietness then this, 
A further confirmation of Peace under pretence of marriage of the kings sister to Prince Henry, son to the queen of Navarre.  that the King purposed to give his sister Margaret in marriage to the Prince Henry the son of the queen of Navarre, which Prince had in the last war defended the cause of the Religion, and been sovereign of their army. Which marriage the King declared, that it should be the most streight bond of civill concord, and the most assured testimony of his good will to those of the Religion.  
Yea, and also because it was alleged, that the said Prince Henry was restrained in conscience, so as he might not mary the Lady Margraet, being of a contrary Religion, a catholic and given to the rites of the Romish Church, the King for answer said that he would discharge her of the Popes laws, and notwithstanding the crying out of all his courtiers to the contrary, he permitted him, that without all ceremonies, in the porch of the great Church of Paris, the marriage should be celebrated in such a form as the ministers of the reformed Church misliked not.  
Which thing being by report and letters spread through the world, it cannot be expressed how much it made the hearts of those of the Religion assured and out of care, and how it cast out all fear and jelosies out of their minds, what a confidence it brought them of the Kings good will toward them. Finally, how much it rejoiced foreign Princes and States that favoured the same Religion? 
The Admiral more fully established by the Kings Letter with his own hand and seal.  But the Admirals mind was much more established by a Letter which about the same time Theligny brought him with the Kings own hand and sealed, wherein was contained that whatsoever the admiral should do for the matter of the intended war of the Low-country, the King would allow and ratify the same, as done by his own commandement. About that time Lodovick of Nassaw with the Queen of Navarre, a Lady most zealously affencted to the Religion, came to the French Court. The League was made between King Charles & the Prince of Aurenge, and the Articles thereof put in writing. The marriage was appointed to be holden in the City of Paris. For which cause the queen of Navarre during those few dayes repaired thither to provide things for the solemnity of the wedding. For the same cause the King sent to the admiral one Caivagnes, 
The Kings persuading the Admiral to go to Paris, and assuring him of safety from all dangers.  a man of an excellent sharp wit, whom for the Admirals sake the King had advanced to great honour, requiring the admiral to go before to Paris, as well for the said preparation, as also for the matter of the war of the Lowcountries, promising that he himself would within few dayes follow after him: assuring him that there was no cause for him to fear the threatenings and mad outrages of the Parisians. For, in as much as the same town is above all other given to superstition, and is with seditious preachings of monks and Friers daily enflamed to cruelty, it is hard to express how bitterly they hated the admiral, and the professors of that Religion. Whereto was added a grief of their mind conceived certain dayes before, by reason of a certain stone-crosse gilded and built after the manner of a spire steeple, commonly called Gastignes cross, which the admiral with great earnest svit obtained of the King to be overthrown: for he alleged, that being erected in the midst of the rage of the Civill war, as it were in triumph to the reproach of one of the Religion, it was a monument of civill dissension, and so a matter offensive to peace and concord.  
The King well knowing this deadly hate of the Parisians to the admiral, 
To take away all fear from the admiral, the King wrote Letters to marcel to prevent all tumults, and so the Duke of Anjow and the Queen did the same.  wrote his Letters to Marcel the Provost of the Merchants( which is the highest dignity in Paris) with sharp threatenings if there should be raised any stir or trouble by reason of the Admirals coming. To the same effect also the Duke of Anjow, the Kings brother, and the Queen mother, wrote to the same Marcel, and the rest of the Magistrates of Paris, so that now there seemed utterly no occasion left for the admiral to fear or distrust. And within few dayes after, the King sent Briquemault, a man of great virtue and estimation, to the admiral, with the same instructions, saying, that the matter of the Low-countrey could not well be dealt in without his presence.  
The admiral persuaded by thus many means, and filled with good hope and courage, determined to go to Paris, where so soon as he was arrived and had been honourably and lovingly entertained of the King and his brethren, and the queen mother, and consultation entred among them about the preparation for the Low-countrey, he declared to the King at large, how the Duke of Alva was in levying of great power, & preparing an army, and that if the King should dissemble his purpose, it would come to pass that many thereby would show themselves slower and slacker to the enterprise, and that now were offered great means to do good, which if he let slip, he should not so easily recover the like again hereafter. And therefore it was best to take the advantage of this opportunity.  
A few dayes before, Lodovick of Nassaw went secretly into the frontiers of the Low-countrey, and took with him as partners of his journey, and privy to his counsel, three French-men of great credit with the admiral, namely, Saucourt, la Nove, & Genlis, to whom the King had given in charge to see if they could by any means attempt and possess any towns bordering upon his realm. They gathering divers other Gentlemen into their company, went speedily into the Low-countrey, the admiral not knowing of it. Who as soon as he understood of their going thither, wrote unto them that he much marveled what they meant, saying that he well knew there could be no power gotten ready before forty dayes end, and that they should be well advised to do nothing rashly, nor to overthrow with hast their devices that seemed not ripe to be executed.  
The Count of Nassaw enflamed with the sight and desire of his country, and fearing the mutablenesse of the King, did first at the sudden set upon Valentiennes, but being repulsed by the Spanish souldiers that were in garrison in the castle, he hastily departed to Montz, and took the town, being a place very strong by nature, and well furnished with all things necessary for the war. Which thing being by report, and messengers spread abroad in the Low-country, and dispatched into France & Germany, both encouraged all them of the Religion with great hope, and also seemed to have now plainly and openly deciphered and disclosed the mind of the French King. Moreover, Genlis returning to Paris, when he had made report to the King of all the matter as it had proceeded, easily obtained of him, that by his assent he might levy certain bands of foot-men and horsemen of France, and carry them to succour Montz. But by the way when he was entred into the bounds of the Low-country, having with him to the number of four thousand foot-men, and about four hundred horse-men, they were beset by the Duke of Alva, and the most part of them distressed: which thing was well known to have been wrought by the means of the Guisians, which by daily messages and letters, advertised the Duke of Alva of their purposes and prenaration. Which false-hood of theirs, many most affectionate to the Romish Religion, were highly offended with, because a great number addicted to the same Romish Religion were in that company.  
With this loss, and with the rescue of the town of Valentiennes, the King seemed to be much troubled, for he feared lest his counsels being disclosed to the Spanish King, would at length breed some cause of quarrel and war. Howbeit, when he began to remember, that a great part of his secrets was already revealed to the Duke of Alva, he oftentimes resolved to utter his mind plainly, and to make open war. But he was withdrawn from that purpose by certain men which the admiral had long before conceived, that they would so do. Howbeit he gave the admiral liberty to sand whatso ever he thought meet to further the Prince of Aurenge his enterprise, and as great supply either of foot-men or of horsemen as he could to the army which the Prince of Aurenge had levied in germany. When the admiral for that cause had made request that he might leavy thirty troops of horsemen, and as many ensigns of footmen, he easily obtained it.  
For the entertainment of these footmen it behoved to have money, wherefore at the request of the admiral, the King called for his Treasurer and commanded him to deliver the admiral so much money as the admiral should think meet, and charged him, that he should not in any wise after the usual manner of the accounts of finances, writ the causes of the receipt but only set it down in this form: This sum of money was paid to the Admiral such a day by the kings commandement, for certain causes which the King hath commanded not to be written: and to this warrant the King subscribed with his own hand.  
Also the King wrote to Monducet, his ambassador in the Low-countrey, to travel as earnestly as he could, for their deliverance, that were taken at the overthrow of Genlis, which commandement it is said that Monducet did most faithfully and diligently execute.  
Not long before this, Joan Queen of Navarre above mentioned, died in the Court at Paris, of a sudden sickness, being about the age of forty and three yeares, where the suspicion was great that she died of poison, and her body was for that cause opened by the physicians, there was no tokens of poison espied. But shortly after, by the detectionof one A.P. it hath been found that she was poisoned with a venomed smell of a pair of perfumed gloves, 
The Qu. of navarre poisoned by the Kings Apothecary in Paris.  dressed by one Renat the Kings Apothecary an Italian, who had a shop at Paris upon Saint Michaels bridge, near unto the palace: which could not be espied by the physicians which did not open the head nor looked into the brain It is well known that the same man about certain yeares past, for the same intent gave to Lewes Prince of Conde a poisoned Pomander, which the Prince left with one le gross his Surgeon, who was by little and little poisoned therewith, and so swelled, that he hardly escaped with his life.  
By her death, the Kingdom came to the Prince Henry her son, to whom, as is above-said, the Kings sister was promised and contracted.  
Things being, as it seemed, through-out all France in most peaceable estate, and the concord of all degrees well established, the day was appointed for the Marriage of the King of Navarre, which day, all they that fancied the Religion, esteemed so much the more joyful to them, because they saw the King wonderfully bent thereunto, and all good men judged the same a most assured pledge and establishment of civill concord; whereas, on the contrary part, the Guisans and other enemies of common quietness greatly abhorred the same marriage.  
When the day came, the marriage was with royal pomp solemnized before the great Church of Paris, and a certain form of words so framed, as disagreed with the Religion of neither side, was by the Kings commandement pronounced by the cardinal of bourbon, the King of Navar's uncle: 
The solemnity of the marriage of Prince Henry and the Kings sister, with great joy on both sides.  and so the matrimony was celebrated with great joy of the King and all good men, the Bride was with great train and pomp lead into the Church to hear mass, and in the meantime the bridegroom, who misliked these Ceremonies, together with Henry Prince of Conde, son of Lewes, and the admiral, and other Noble-men of the same Religion, walked without the church-door, waiting for the Brides return.  
While these things were in doing at Paris, Strozzi, 
Souldiers sent often into the town, under colour of Buying things necessary.  who as we have said, had the charge of the Kings power at sea, hovering upon the cost of Rochell, did now and then sand of his Captaines and souldiers into the Town, under colour of buying things necessary: and sometime he came thither also himself. The like was done at the same time in another part of France, by the horsemen of Gonzague Duke of Nivers, near to the town of la Charité, which hath a bridge over the River of loire, and remained till that time in the power of those of the Religion, by reason of the great number of them there inhabiting. This troop was of those horse-men which the King hath accustomend to keep in ordinary wages in every Country, whereof the most part were Italians, country-men to their Captain Lewes Gonzague, to whom the queen mother had given the daughter and heir of the Duke of Nivers in marriage. They requested of the townsmen, 
The governor of Lions takes a view of all the Protestants, and writ them in a book, which was after called the bloody book.  that they might make their Muster within the town, saying that they had received warrant from the King so to do, and shewed the Kings Letters therefore. At Lions the governor of the Town, commanded a view to be taken of all those that professed the Religion, and their names to be written in a book and brought unto him: which book shortly after, according to the success, was called the bloody book.  
After themarriage ended at Paris, which was the time that the admiral had appointed to return to his own house, he moved the King concerning his departure. But so great was the preparation of plays, so great was the magnificence of banquets and shows, and the King so earnestly bent to those matters, that he had no leisure, not only for weighty affairs, but also not so much as to take his natural sleep. For in the French Court, Dancings, Maskings, stage-plays( wherein the King exceedingly delighted) are commonly used in the night-time: and so the time that is fittest for counsel and matters of governance, is by reason of nightly riotous sittings up, of necessity consumed in sleep. So great also is the familiarity of men and the women of the Queen mothers train, and so great liberty of sporting, entertainment and talking together, as to foreign Nations may seem incredible, and be thought of all honest persons a matter not very convenient for preservation of noble young Ladies chastity. Moreover, if there come any pander or bawd out of italy, or any schoolmaster of shameful and filthy lust, he winneth in short time marvelous favour and credit. And such a multitude is there begun to be of Italians, commonly throughout all France, specially in the court, since the administration of the realm was committed to the queen mother, that many do commonly call it France-Italian, and some term it a colony, and some a common sink of italy.  
These madnesses of the Court, 
The admiral desiring to depart from Paris, but was stayed, partly because he could not have access to the King, who was excessively inten●ive on his sports and banquet, partly because he was entreated to stay and deliver Petitions to the King in the cause of the Churches and other reasons.  were the cause that the admiral could not have access to the Kings speech, nor entrance to deal in weighty matters. But when they that were sent from the reformed Churches to complain of injuries commonly done to those of the Religion, understood of the Admirals purpose to depart, they did with all speed deliver to him their books and petitions, and besought him, not to depart from the Court till he had dealt in the cause of the Churches, and delivered their petitions to the King and his council. For this cause the admiral resolved to defer his going for a while, till he might treat with the Kings council concerning those requests: for the King had promised him that he would shortly intend those matters, and be present with the council himself.  
Besides this delay, there was another matter that stayed him. There was owing to the Rutters of germany, which had served on the part of the Religion in the last war, great sums of money for their wages, in which matter the admiral traveled with incredible earnestness and care.  
Concerning all these affairs, 
The Admirals access to the King, and treats with him.  the Admiral( as he determined before) having access and opportunity for that purpose, moved the Kings privy council the 22. day of August, which was the fifth day after the King of Navar's marriage, and spent much time in that treaty. 
The admiral returning home from the council, was treacherously shot out at a window, and sorely wounded.  About noon, when he was in returning home from the council, with a great company of Noblemen and Gentlemen, behold, a Harquebuzier out of a window of a house near adjoining, shot the admiral with two bullets of led thorough both the arms. When the admiral felt himself wounded, nothing at all amazed, but with the same countenance that he was accustomend, he said, thorough yonder window it was done: go see who are in the house. What manner of treachery is this? Then he sent a certain Gentleman of his company to the King to declare it unto him. The King at that time was playing at tennis with the Duke of Guise. 
The King seemingly much moved at the Admirals hurt.  As soon as he heard of the Admirals hurt, he was marvelously moved, as it seemed, and threw away his racket that he played with on the ground, and taking with him his brother in law, the King of Navarre, he retired into his Castle.  
The Gentlemen that were with the admiral broke into the house from whence he received his hurt, there they found only one woman, the keeper of the house, and shortly after also a boy, his lackey that had done ●he dead, and therewithal they found the harquebuze lying upon the table in that chamber from whence the noise was heard: him that shot they found not, 
he that shot the admiral flies, having fresh horses ready prepared in divers places.  for he in great hast was run away out at the back-gate, and getting on horse-back, which he had waiting for him ready saddled at the door, he road a great place to Saint Anthonies gate, where he had a fresh horse tarrying for him, if need were, and another at Marcelles gate. Then by the kings commandement a great number road out in post into all parts to pursue him: 
The King sends posts after him.  but for that he was slipped into by-ways, and received into a certain Castle, they could not overtake him.  
At the suit of the King of Navarre, 
The King gives commission to three of the Parliament of Paris to examine the bustnesse.  and the Prince of Conde and other, the King by and by gave commission for enquiry to be made of the matter, and committed the examining thereof to three chosen persons of the Parliament of Paris, Thuan and Morsant and Viol a couuseller.  
First it was found that the same house belonged to a Priest, a Canon of Saint Germaine, whose name is Villemure, which had been the Duke of Guises schoolmaster in his youth, 
The business examined.  and still continued a retayner toward him. Then the woman which we said was found in the house, being taken and brought before them, confessed that a few dayes before, there came to her one Chally sometime a Mr. de Hostel of the Duke of Guises house, and now of the Kings court, and commanded her to make much of the man that had done this deed, and to lodge him in the same bed and chamber where Villemure was wont to lye, for that he was his friend and very familiar acquaintance, and that Villemure would be very glad of it. The name of him that shot was very diligently kept secret. Some say it was Manrevet, which in the third civill war traitorously slay his captain Monsieur de Movy, a most valiant and noble gentleman, and straightway fled into the enemies camp. Some say it was Bondot, one of the archers of the Kings guard. When the womans confession was brought to the King, he immediately called Monsieur de Nance, captain of his guard, and commanded him to apprehended Challey and bring him to him. Challey assoon as he heard the stroke of the piece, fled into the Kings castle called the Louure, & hide him in the Duke of Guises chamber, from whence he conveyed himself away assoon as he had heard of the Kings commandement. When de Nance was informed of his departure, he answered that Challey was a gentleman of good worship, and there was no doubt but if need were he would appear before the King and the Magistrates.  
While these things were doing, 
The admiral being in danger of his life, sends for the King.  and the Admirals wound in dressing, Theligny went by his commandment to the King, and most humbly besought him in the name of his father in law, that his majesty would vouchsafe to come unto him for that his life seemed to be in peril, and that he had certain things to say, greatly importing to the Kings safety, which he well knew that none in his realm durst declare to his majesty. The King courteously answered that he would willingly go to him, and within a little while after he set forward. The Queen mother went with him and the Duke of Anjow, the Duke of Mondensier, a most affectionate subject to the Church of Rome, 
The King goes to the admiral with the queen mother & others.  the County de Rhetz, the Queen mothers great familiar, Chavigny and Entragny, which afterward were chief ringleaders in the butchery of Paris.  
When the King had lovingly saluted the admiral as he was wont to do, 
The Kings loving salutation of the admiral.  and had gently asked him some questions concerning his hurt and the estate of his health, and the admiral had answered with such a mild and quiet countenance, that all they that were present wondered at his temperance and patience, the King being much moved( as it seemed) said, The hurt, 
The Kings deep oath severely to revenge the Admirals hurt.  my admiral, is done to thee, but the dishonour to me: but( swearing a great oath) saith he, I swear I will so severely revenge both the hurt and the dishonour, that it shall never be forgotten. He asked him also how he liked of the Judges that he had chosen, to whom he had given commission for examining the matter. The admiral answered that he could not but very well like of those that his majesty had allowed of, yet he besought him if he thought it good, that Cavagnes might be called to counsel with them, albeit that it was no hard matter to find out, for it was no doubt( said he) that this good turn was done him by the Duke of Guise, the revenge whereof he referred to God. 
The admiral entreats the King to inquire straitly into the fact. And the Kings kind Answer.  This only he most hearty and humbly besought of his royal majesty, that the fact might be duly inquired into. The King answered that he would take earnest care of it, and revenge that injury with no less severity than if it had been done to himself. Then the Kings brethren and their mother withdrawing themselves a while, 
The admiral faithfully advices the King to beware of treasons against himself.  the admiral as it was afterward known by his own report, began to advice the King to have in memory those things that he had oft  told him of the dangerous intentions of certain persons and he  told him, that though he himself had received a great wound, yet there was no less hanging over the Kings head: and that long ago there was treason in practising against his life, which if he would do wisely he should avoid betimes. Further he said, that though so soon as God should take him to himself out of this life, he doubted not but that his famed should be brought into sundry slanders by envious persons, and such as ought him evil will by reason of the late wars, nevertheless he had oftentimes disclosed unto the King the authors of the dissensions, and opened the causes thereof, and that God was his witness of his most faithful heart to the King and the commonweal, and that he had never holden any thing dearer then his country and the public safety.  
The King after such answer made hereunto as he thought best, spake aloud, and hearty entreated the admiral to suffer himself to be removed into his castle of the Louure, 
The King under pretence of sedition feared, desires the admiral to be removed into his Castle of Louure.  for that he thought some peril, lest there should arise some sedition among the commons already in disorder, or any stir in that mad and troublesone city. whereto this speech of the King tended could not then be understood. For though the commonalty of Paris hath ever been accounted the most foolish and mad of al other, yet is it ever most easily appeased, not onely with the coming and presence of the King, but also with the very sound of his name. The Admiral most humbly and largely thanked the King, and made his excuse upon the counsel of the physicians, 
The admiral, by the advice of the Physitians, excuses his desire not to remove.  which feared that shaking would increase his pain, and therefore had taken order that he should not be stirred out of his place. Then the Count de Rhetz turning to certain Gentle-men of the Admirals friends, said, I would the admiral would follow the Kings counsel, for it is to be feared that some such stir may arise in the town, as the King shall not easily be able to appease. Which speech being vnttered, although no man did yet suspect whereto that advice tended, 
The admiral requests a Guard for his safety, to which the King willingly yields.  yet the admiral and his friends thought it good to request of the King to assign unto him certain of the souldiers of the Guard for his safety. The King answered that he very well liked of that device, & p that he was fully determined to provide as well for the Admirals safety as for his own, 
The Kings high expressions of love and praise to the admiral.  and that he would preserve the admiral as the ball of his eye, and that he had in admiration the constancy and fortitude of the man, and that he never before that time believed that there could be so great valiantness of courage in any mortal person.  
Therewith the Duke of Anjow the kings brother commanded Cossin captain of the Kings Guard, 
The Admirals Guard placed.  to place a certain band of Souldiers to ward before the Admirals gate. There could hardly a man be found more hateful against the Admirals part, nor more affencted to the Guisians then this Cossin, which the success plainly proved, as hereafter shall appear. 
The Duke of Anjow causes the Admirals friends to be placed in those lodgings near about him, under pretence of the Admirals safeguard, and others to be removed from their lodgings, which was a most devilish plot to bring in the Protestants out of the suburbs, from whence they might perhaps have escaped into one narrow street within the walls, that they could not possible avoid their plotted destruction.  The Duke of Anjow further added, that he thought it should be good for the admiral, if more of his friends and familiars that lodged in the fauxburges did draw nearer about him: and forthwith he commanded the Kings harbingers to warn those to whom they had before assigned lodgings in that street, to remove from thence, and to place the Admirals friends in their rooms. Which counsel was such, as none could possibly be devised more fit for those things that followed. For those which might have by flight escaped out of the suburbs were now holden fast enough, being enclosed not only within the walls of the town, but also within the compass of one narrow street. The next day after, 
The names of the Protestants strictly taken, with the place of every of their lodgings.  the Under-masters of the streets, commonly called Quarter-men, surveyed all the victualling houses and inns, from house to house, and all the names of those of the Religion, together with the place of every of their lodgings they put in books, and with speed delivered over the same books to those of whom they had received that command.  
In the afternoon, the Queen mother led out the King, the Duke of Anjow, Gonzague, Tavaignes, the County de Rhetz, called Gondin, into her Gardens called Tegliers. This place, because it was somewhat far from resort, she thought most fit for this their last consultation. There she shewed them, how those whom they had long been in wait for, were now sure in hold, and the admiral lay in his bed maimed of both his arms and could not stir, the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde were fast lodged in the Castle, 
The King and the queen consults about their last most bloody and devilish defigne.  the gates were kept shut all night, and watches placed, so as they were so snared that they could no way escape, and the Captains thus taken, it was not to be feared that any of the Religion would from thenceforth stir any more. Now was a notable opportunity( said she) offered to dispatch the matter. For all the chief Captaines were fast closed up in Paris, and the rest in other Towns were all unarmed and unprepared, and that there were scarcely to be found ten enemies to a thousand catholics: that the Parisians were in armor and were able to make threescore thousand chosen fighting men, and that within the space of one hour all the enemies may be slain, and the whole name and race of those wicked men be utterly rooted out. On the other side( saith she) if the King do not take the advantage of the fitness of this time, it is no doubt but that if the admiral recover his health, all France will shortly be on fire with the fourth civill war.  
The queens opinion was allowed. Howbeit it was thought best, partly for his age, and partly for the affinities sake, that the King of Navarres life should be saved. As for the Prince of Conde, it was doubted whether it were best to spare him for his age, or to put him to death for hatred of his fathers name. 
The King and the queen consults to put this design into execution, and committed the doing of it to the Duke of Guise.  But herein the opinion of Gonzague took place, that he should with fear of death and torment, be drawn from the Religion. So that counsel broke up, with appointment that the matter should be put in execution the next night early afore day, and that the ordering and doing of all should be committed to the Duke of Guise.  
The admiral being informed of stir and noise of armor, and threatenings heard every where throughout the town, and preparation of many things pertaining to tumult, 
The King sends to the Admiral, to take away all suspicion of fear.  sent word thereof to the King: who answered, that there was no cause for the admiral to fear, for all was done by his command and not every where, but in certain places, & that there were certain appointed by him to be in armour, lest the people should rise and make any stir in the town.  
When the Duke of Guise thought all things ready enough, 
The Duke of Guise causeth the Officers to be assembled to declare the Kings mind, which was to destroy al the Protestants, which he now stiles Rebels, notwithstanding his former acts of favour and Pacification.  he called to him the abovesaid marcel, and charged him that he should a little after midnight assemble together the Masters of the streets whom they call Diziners into the town house, for he had certain strange and special matters in charge from the King, which his pleasure was to have declared unto them. They all assembled betimes, Carron the new Provost of Merchants, guarded with certain Guisians, and among the rest Entragne and Pnygallart, made the declaration: He said that the Kings meaning was to destroy all the Rebels which had in these late yeares born arms against his majesty, and to root out the race of those wicked men, it was now very fitly happened that the chieftains and ringleaders of them were fast enclosed within the walls of the town, as in a prison, and that the same night they should first begin with them, and afterward for the rest as soon as possibly might be, throughout all parts of the realm the King would take order: and the token to set upon them, should be given, not with a trumpet, 
Tokens to distinguish who was to bee slain and who not.  but with tocksein or ringing of the great bell of the palace, which they knew to be accustomend only in great cases: and the mark for them to be known from other, should be a white linen cloath hanged about their left arm, and a white cross pinned upon their caps. In the mean time the Duke of Guise made privy thereunto the captains of the Kings guard, both Gascoignes, Frenchmen, and swissers, & bad them be ready to go to it with good courage. Shortly after, the Duke of Guise and the bastard son of king Henry, commonly called the Chevalier, with a great band of armed men following them, went to the Admirals house, which Cossin kept besieged with arquebusiers, placed in order on both sides of the street.  
The admiral advertised of the stir and the noise of the armor, although he had scarcely ten persons in his house able to bear harness, and in his chamber only two Surgeons, one Preacher, and one or two servitors, yet could not be made afraid, trusting( as he oft rehearsed) upon the Kings good will toward him, approved by so many and so great means of assurance, having also confidence that the Commonalty of Paris if they once understood the king to mislike of their mad fury, how much soever they were in outrage, yet so soon as they saw Cossin warding the gate, they would be appeased. He repeated also the Oath for keeping of the Peace, 
The admirals confidence being hardly brought to fear, notwith standing all these stirs considering. The divers ratifications of peace by the King, his Treaties, Oaths so often, and upon record, Leagues, marriages, public Faith. The sacred respect of the Law of Nations, &c.  so oft openly sworn by the King and his brethren, and their Mother, and entred in public records, the league lately made with the queen of England for the same cause, the Articles of treaty covenanted with the Prince of Aurenge, the Kings faith given to the Princes of Germany, some towns attempted and some taken in the Low-countrey by the Kings commandement, the marriage of the Kings Sister solemnized but six dayes before, which it was not like that he would suffer to bee defiled with blood: finally the judgement of foreign nations & of posterity, shane, and the honour and constancy of a Prince, public Faith, and the sa / cred respect of the law of Nations; all which it seemed monstrous and incredible that the king could assent to be stained with so outrageous a cruel dead.  
Cossin, when he saw the Noble / men draw near, knocked at the gate, which as is above-said, he was commanded by the Duke of Anjow to keep. Whereupon many applied the old proverb, A goodly guard to make the wolf keeker of the sheep. 
Cossin, the Captain of the Guard before the Admiralsgate, enters the gate, slay all within the porch at the entry.  When he was entred without( in a manner) any difficulty, he carried in with him a great company of armed men, and after those followed the great Lords. Such as Cossin found at the entry of and within the porch of the house, he slay with a Partisan that he had in his hand. Which when the admiral understood, he caused those that were about him to lift him out of his bed, and casting on a night-gowne upon him, he rose upright on his feet, he bade his friends and servants to flee and make shift for themselves, and to take no more care for him, for he said that he was ready with most willing heart to render into the hands of God, now calling for it again, the spirit that he had lent him to use for a time: and said that this violent cruelty was prepared not so much for his destruction, 
The admiral expects now, and prepares to die.  as for the dishonouring of Christ and the tormenting of so many Churches, the defence of which Churches he had at the petition of all godly men with his many dangers and calamities sustained.  
In the mean time there came up the stairs into the upper part of the house, 
They break into the Admirals chamber.  one Benvese a Germaine, brought up in the house of the Duke of Guise, and to whom it is said, that the cardinal of lorraine had given one of his bastard daughters in marriage: and with him came Cossin the Gascoin, Attin a Picarde a retainer and familiar of the Duke d'Aumal, one that a few yeares before sought to murder d'Andelot by treason, and also one Hamfort an Avernois, all weaponed with swords and targets, and armed with shirts of mail.  
When they were broken into the Admirals chamber, Benvese came to him, and bending his drawn sword upon him, said, Art not thou the admiral? he with a quiet and constant countenance,( as we have since understood by themselves) answered, I am so called. And then seeing the sword drawn upon him, he said, young man, consider my age and the weak case that I am now in. 
One blaspheming God, runs his sword into the admiral, and strikes him. Another shoots him.  But the fellow, after blaspheming God, first thrust his sword into the Admirals breast, and then also struck him upon the head, and Attin shot him thorough the breast with a pistol. When the Admiral was with this wound not yet thoroughly dead, Benvese gave him the third wound upon the thigh, and so he fell down for dead. 
They wound him the third time, so he falls down dead.  When the Duke of Guise, which stayed in the court with the other noble men, heard this, he cried out aloud, hast thou done Benvese? he answered, I have done. Then said the Duke of Guise, our Chevelier( meaning King Henries bastard abovesaid) unless he see it with his eyes, will not believe it throw him down at the window. Then Benvese with the help of his fellowes took up the Admirals body and threw it down thorough the window. 
At the Duke of Guises command they throw him out at a window.  When by reason of the wound in his head, and his face covered with blood they could not well discern him, 
The Duke of Guise gratulates their happy beginning: commanding to go on, crying out This is the Kings command, his will, his pleasure.  the Duke of Guise kneeled down on the ground and wiped him with a napkin and said, now I know him, it is he. And therewithal going out at the gate with the rest of the Lords, he cred out to the multitude armor, saying my companions we have had good lucky beginning: now let us go forward to the rest, for it is the Kings commandement: which words he did oft repeat aloud, saying, Thus the King commandeth: This is the Kings will, this is his pleasure. And then he commanded the token to be given by ringing tocksein with the great bell of the palace, and alarm to be raised, and he caused it to be published, that the conspirators were in armor and about to kill the King. Then a certain Italian of Gonzagues band, 
One cuts off his head, other his hands, other his secret parts, they drag him thorough the streets, hangs him by the feet.  cut off the Admirals head, and sent it preserved with spices to Rome to the Pope and the cardinal of lorraine. Other cut off his hands, and other his secret parts. Then the common labourers and rascals three daies together dragged the dead body thus mangled and bewrayed with blood and filth, thorough the streets, and afterward drew it out of the town to the common gallows, and hanged it up with a rope by the feet. 
The Admirals most cruel and treacherous death, with all about him, the end and issue of all the Kings grace and favour towards him.   
In the mean time, those of the noble mens bands broke into all the chambers of the Admirals house, and such as they found either in their beds, or hidden, they mangled them with many wounds, and so slaughtered them. Of that number were two young children, pages, of honourable birth. There was also the count Rochfoucault, which for the excellent pleasentnesse of his wit, and for his valiantness was highly beloved of King Henry, and so seemed for the same cause also to be beloved of the King. Him was de Nance abovesaid commanded to kill, but he refusing it for their old accquaintance and familiarity: one Laberge an Avernois offered himself to the King to do it, but with this condition, that the King should give him the captaineship of horse-men which Count Rochfoucault had. 
count Rochfoucault slain. Theligny the Admirals son in law slain.  There was also slain Theligny the Admirals son in law, a young man of singular towardness both of wit and courage, to whom the King these many yeares had both in words and countenance made show of so great good will, as that no man was thought to be more highly in his favour. He crying out, that it was now grievous to him to live, for that he had ever commended to his father in law the faithfulness of the King, refused not the death offered him. And many other most flourishing young noble men and gentlemen were every where butcherly murdered in that street. 
Many gallant Nobles and Gentlemen murdered in the streets.  Then the noble mens bands, and Cossins souldiers went ransacking from house to house: and the Admirals house and al the other houses were all sacked and spoyled, 
The sackings and spoilings by the souldiers.  even in like manner as is used to be done by souldiers greedy of prey in a town taken by assault: and many by this robbery, were of beggars suddenly become rich men. For the Duke of Guise, the Duke of Monpensier, the Chevalier King Henries bastard, Gonzague, Tavaignes, and the other great Lords, did with reward of the spoil and booty encourage the multitude to the slaughter, and cried out aloud that this was the Kings will. 
They cry out still This is the Kings will.  So all the rest of the day from morning to evening, the rascall multitude, encouraged by spoil and robbery, ran with their bloody swords raging throughout al the town: they spared not the aged, nor women, nor the very babes: 
The streets strewed with murdered bodies.  In joy and triumph they threw the slain bodies out at the windows, so as there was not in manner any one street or lane, that seemed not strewed with murdered car cases.  
While these things were thus a doing in the town, the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde, whom the King had lodged in his own castle of the Louure, were by the Kings commandement sent for and conveyed unto him. 
The King of navarre, and Prince of Conde their company, servitors, friends, hewed in pieces and slain, themselves sent for to the King.  But their company, their servitors of their chamber, their friends retaining to them, their schole-masters, and those that had the bringing up of them, crying out aloud to the Kings fidelity for succour, were thrust out of the chambers, and by the Kings guard of swissers hewed in pieces and slaughtered in the Kings own sight. But of that number of persons slain, no mans case was so much lamented of many, as Monsieur de pills, in whom it is hard to express whether there were more godly zeal in Religion, or prowess in war. Whereby having in the late yeares, specially by the defence of the town of Saint John d' Angeli, which the King then besieged, gotten great honour of Chevalry, he was thought very well beloved and highly esteemed of the King. Him and Leranne the son of Odou, by the French Kings commandement( which was not then understood whereto ittended) the King of navarre had stayed in a wardrob adjoining to his own chamber, and caused them to lodge there all night. A little afore day, hearing of the running of men, and noise of armor, and cries and killings, they rose in hast, & immediately de Nance whom we have before spoken of, came to them, and commanded them in the Kings name to come down into the Court, and to leave their weapons behind them, and lastly to depart out of the castle. When de pills saw himself thrust out among the multitude of the murdering souldiers, 
Monsieur de pills seemingly much esteemed of the King, treacherously slain. He detests the Kings traytero is infidelity in the Kings hearing.  and beholded the bodies of them that were slain; he cried out with a very loud voice, that the King might well hear him, protesting upon the Kings fidelity, and detesting his traitorous infidelity, and therwith he took off a rich cloak which he wore, and gave it to one of his acquaintance, saying, take here this token of pills, and hereafter remember pills most unworthily and shamefuly slain. Oh my good Monsieur de pills, said the other, I am none of them: I thank you for your cloak, but I will not receive it with that condition, and so refused to take the cloak: and immediately de pills was thrust thorough by one of the Guard with a Partisan, and died. And this end had this most valiant and Noble Gentleman. And then his body was thrown into the quarry with the rest; which when they that passed by did behold, the souldiers cried out, there they be that made assault upon us, and would have killed the King. Leranne being thrust thorough with a sword, escaped and ran into the Queen of Navarres chamber, and was by her kept and preserved from the violence of those that pursued him. Shortly after, she obtained his pardon of her brother, and committing him to her own Physitians, restored him both to life and health.  
While things were in doing at Paris, Strozzi, which( as we have aforesaid) was come with all his power to Rochel, sent a great number of his souldiers into the Town, under colour of a banquet to be made to his friends in the castle called la chain, 
civil treason under pretence of a banquet.  but by reason of the jealousy and watches of the towns men, by whom he saw his treason was espied, he went away without his purpose. But they of la Charity, which as we have before shewed, were trapped by the Italian horsemen, taking less heed to the safe keeping of their town, were a little before night surprised, and within few daies after put to the sword.  
The next day following, where any that had hidden themselves in corners at Paris could be found out the slaughter was renewed: 
The slaughter renewed the next day.  also common labourers and porters, and other of the most rascals of the people and desperate villains, 
They strip the dead bodies and threw them into the river scene.  to have the spoil of their clothes, stripped the dead bodies stark naked and threw them into the river of scene. The profit of all the robberies and spoils came all for the most part to the hands of these labourers and the souldiers, and to the Kings treasure came very little or nothing. The only gain that came to him, was that which might be made of the vacations( as they term them) of offices and of places of Magistrates, Captaines and other rooms of charge, whereof yet he gave a great part freely away to divers of the Court. For the Admirals office he gave to Marques d'Villars, the Chancellorship of Navarre, 
The Admirals Office, & other Offices disposed of.  after the murder of Francourt, he by and by gave to Henry Memne de Malassise, which had been the truceman and messenger in the Treaty of the last peace: the Office of the Master of the Finances after the slaughter of Prunes he gave to Villequier, the Office of President des aids, when Plateau was slain he gave to de Nully: the other Offices he sold, as his manner is, to such as gave ready money for them. For it hath been the custom now lately of certain Kings of France( such as among foreign Nations hath not been heard of) to put to sale all the profits, rights, and benefits of of the Crown, 
Offices sold for ready money.  and to keep an open market for money, of all judicial Offices, and of the rooms belonging to his Treasure and Fiances, according to a rate of price set upon every one of them: 
Vendere jure potest, ●anerat ille prius.  and there is not in manner one in all France, that doth not openly justify that he bought his Office for ready money, and that no man ought to marvel if he desire to fill up the empty hole of his stock again. And therefore Justice is thorough all France usually bought for money, and though there be never so many murders committed, yet is there no process awarded to inquire thereof, till present coin be paid to the rakehells and scribes.  
This butcherly slaughter of Paris thus performed, and four hundred houses( as is above-said) sacked, immediately messengers were sent in post into all parts of the realm, 
Letters in the Kings name to all other Cities, to follow the example of Paris in this bloody Massacre.  with oft shifting their horses for hast, to command all other Cities in the Kings name to follow the example of Paris, and to cause to be killed as many as they had among them of the reformed Religion.  
These commandements it is wonderful to tel how readily and cheerfully the greatest part of the Cities of France did obey and execute. But the King, fearing( as it was likely) the dishonour of false treachery and perjury, 
The King fearing the dishonour of treachery and perjury, sends Letters to the Governours of Provinces, and to England, Germany, Switzerland, to declare in his name the great commotions which was happened, and his own sorrow for them.  sent letters to the Governours of his Provinces, and also speedy Messengers into England, Germany and Zwitzerland, to declare in his name, that there was a great commotion and seditious stir happened at Paris, which he was very sorry for: that the Duke of Guise had raised the people, and with armed men made assault upon the band that was assigned to the Admiral for his guard, and had broken into the house and slain the Admiral and all his company and household servants, and that the King had hardly kept safe from those dangers his own castle of the Louure, where he kept himself close with his mother and his brethren: the true copy of which letters is hereafter inserted. But the same most mighty, and by the consent of all Nations commonly called the most Christian King, within two dayes after came into the Parliament, accompanied with a great train of his brethren and other Princes. The council being assembled, he fitting in his throne, 
The King after these Letters sent, comes to his Parliament, declares he was certified of the Admirals treason, and therefore commanded him to be slain.  began to speak unto them, he declared that he was certified, that the admiral with certain of his complices had conspired his death, and had intended the like purpose against his brethren, the Queen his mother, and the King of Navarre, and that for this cause he had commanded his friends to slay the said admiral and all his confederates, and so to prevent the treason of his enemies.  
This his testification and declaration, 
This testification commanded to be written, recorded, published.  the King commanded to be written and entered in the records of Parliament, and that it should be proclaimed by the Harolds, and published by Printers. And he willed a book to be set forth to this effect, that the slaughter of the Admiral and his adherents was done by the Kings commandement, for so was his Majesty express pleasure, because they had conspired to kill him & his brethren, and the Queen his mother, and the king of navarre. And further, 
The King forbids all assemblies and preaching used of the Protestants, notwithstanding it was always the first article granted in the Acts of Pacification, that they should have their liberty. The President of the Parliament gratulates the Kings guile and subtlety in conquering his enemies.  that the King did forbid that from thence-forth there should be no more assemblies holden, nor preachings used of the Religion.  
After the Kings Oration ended, Christopher Thuane President of that Parliament, a man very notable for his light brain & his cruel heart, did with very large words congratulate unto the King, that he had now with guile and subtlety overcome these his enemies, whom he could never vanquish by arms and battle, saying that therein the King had most fully verified the old saying of Lews 11. his progenitor, King of France, which was wont to say that he knew never a Latin sentence but this one, Qui nescit dissimulare nescit regnare, He that cannot skill to dissemble, cannot skill to be a King, But Pibrace, the advocate of the Finances, made a short oration, the sum whereof was to this effect, that although the king had just and great cause to be displeased, yet he thought it more agreeable with his Majesties clemency & goodness, to make an end of the slaughters & common spoil, & not to suffer such outrages to be any longer committed without judicial proceeding in the cause: 
The King is at last desired to proceed in a judicial way. Whereto the King assents, and the murders cease.  and besought his Majesty that from thence-forth it would please him to use the law, which is well known to be the only establishment of kingdoms and Empires: and that there had been already given to the commonalty too perilous an example to follow. An arrest of Parliament with the Kings royal assent being made to that effect, there were immediately Harolds and trumpeters sent round about all the town, and an Edict proclaimed in the Kings name, that from thence-forth the slaughters and common butcherly murtherings should cease, and that all persons should abstain from pillage and robbery.  
This being known, there were divers speeces used of this matter throughout the town, and specially of learned men. The most part said, that they had red many Histories, but in all memory of all ages they never heard of any such thing as this. 
The comparison of this slaughter with others, but this exceeded all.  They compared this case with the horrible doings of King Mithridates, which with one Messenger and with the advertisement of one letter, caused a hundreth and fifty thousand Romaines to be slain. Some compared it with the doing of Peter of Arragon, which slay eight thousand Frenchmen in Sicile, which Isle they had surprised in his absence. But yet this difference appeared between those cases and this: that those Kings had exercised their cruelty upon foreigners & strangers: but this King had done his outrage upon his own subjects, being yielded not so much to his power, as to his faith & credit. Those Kings were bound by no promise but such as was given to the strangers themselves: this King was with new made league bound to the Kings & Princes his neighbours to keep the peace that he had sworn. 
This horrid fact aggravated.  Those Kings used no guileful means unworthy for the Majesty of a King, to deceive: this King for a bait and allurement abused the marriage of his own sister, and in a manner besprinkled her wedding rob with blood. Which dishonour and indignity no posterity of al ages can forget. Some again discoursed, that though this cruel advice seemed to many Courtiers to have been profitable, yet not onely the honour of a King, but also the estimation and good famed of the whole nation was against that show of profit, They alleged how Aristides did openly in the audience of al the people, reject the counsel of Themistocles concerning the burning of the Lacedemonians navy, although it must needs have followed, that the power of the Lacedemonians their enemies should thereby have been utterly weakened. furious Camillus received not the children of the chief Lords of the Phalisce, betrayed to him by their schoolmaster, but stripped him naked and delivered him to be whipped home with rods by the famed children. 
The calamities of Philip of Macedon, for the light esteem of his oath.  Pausanias hath left it reported that the posterity of Philip of Macedon fell into most great calamities, for this cause, that he was wont to set light by the reverend conscience of an oath and his faith given in leagues. Some cited the law of the twelve tables: Si patronus clienti fraudem facit, sacer esto. If the patron or sovereign defraud his client or vassal, be he out of protection. They disputed also, that like faith as the vassal oweth to his Lord, the Lord oweth also to his vassal: and for what causes and for what felonies the vassal loseth his tenancy, for the same causes and felonies the Lord loseth his segniory. Some said that the right hand in ancient time was called the pledge of the faith of a King, and that this if a King shall despise, there is no communion of right with him, and he is no more to be accounted a King, neither of his own subjects nor of strangers. 
Kingly virtues.  Kingly virtues in times past have been reported to be these, justice, gentleness and clemency: but cruelty and outrage have ever been dispraised both in all persons and specially in Princes. 
Scipia's praise.  Scipio hath in all ages been praised, who was wont to say, that he had rather save one Citizen than kill a thousand enemies: which sentence Antoninus the Emperour, surnamed pus the kind or virtuous, did oft repeat. It was a most shameful by word of young Tiberius to be called day tempered with blood. 
Tiberius called day tempered with blood.  They said also, that Kings have power of life and death over their subjects, but not without hearing the cause, and judicial proceeding: 
The Dictators power at Rome.  that there cannot be alleged a greater authority, than the dictators had at Rome, in whom was the sovereign power of peace and war, of life and death, and without appeal, yet was it not lawful for them to execute a Citizen his cause unheard. Only thieves and murderers take away mens lives without order of law and hearing their cause. Who can doubt( said they) but that this so great outrage, so great shedding of Christian blood is the fruit of the cursed life of the Courtiers? For( said they) now throughout all France whoredom and loose lewdness of life are so free & usual, 
The wickedness and licentiousness throughout France after this.  that now the most part of the women of France seem to be in manner common: and the wicked blasphemies and continual execrations and dishonourings of Gods most holy name and Majesty, are such as God cannot longer bear: and true it is, though incredible among foreign Nations, that the catholics of France have prescribed themselves this for a special mark to bee known from other men, that at every third word they blasphemously swear by the head, death, blood, 
The catholics blasphemy. The King himself delights in it.  and belly of God: and wonderful it is, that the King himself is so much delighted in this custom of swearing and blaspheming: and this as it were a pestilent infection is spread abroad and common among the very ploughmen and paysants, so as none among them now speaketh three words without most filthy blaspheming and horrible execration of God. Who can longer bear the vile vnchastities, the bawds and ruffians of the Court? Finally, very nature itself doth now as it were expostulate with God for his so long sufferance and forbearing, and the earth can no longer bear these monsters.  
Now as touching the Admirals supposed conspiracy, who can think it likely that he should enterprise any such thing within the walls of Paris? For in the Court there is continual watching and warding a garrison of the Kings: and at the entry of his Castle the guards of Gascoines, Scots and swissers, are continually attending and the King himself both always before, and specially at that time, by reason of his sisters marriage, had a great train of Princes, great Lords, noblemen and gentlemen about him. Moreover it was well known, 
The great improbability of any treason which was supposed on the Admirals part.  that in Paris within three houres space might be assembled & put in armor threescore thousand chosen armed men, specially against the admiral, whom no man is ignorant that Parisians most deadly hated: beside that, the noble young men that came thither with the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde by reason of the marriage, and brought with them their wives, their sisters and their kinswomen, thought at that time upon nothing but upon triumph & exercises of pastime, and gay furniture of apparel and ornaments. Finally, at whether of these two times can it be likely that the admiral attempted this conspiracy? Was it before he was hurt? why? at that time he found the King his most loving, or at least his most liberal and bountiful good Lord: neither could he hope ever to have a more favourable sovereign in France. Was it then after he was hurt? as though, forsooth, he lying sore of two so great wounds, aged, maimed of both his arms, the one whereof the Physitians consulted whether it were to be cut off, accompanied with three hundreth young men, would set upon threescore thousand armed men, or in so small a time could lay the plot for so great, and so long, and so heinous a fact: for he lived scarce 40. houres after his hurt, in which time he was enjoined by the Physitians to forbear talk. Again, if he had been detected of any such crime, was he not committed to Cossin, and to his keeping, and so environed, all the ways beset about him; and so in the Kings power, that if it had pleased the King he might at all times in a moment be carried to prison? Why was not orderly enquiry and judicial proceeding used according to the custom and laws, and general right of Nations, and witnesses produced according to the form of law? But be it that the admiral and a few other of his confederates and followers had conspired, why yet proceeded the outrageous cruelty upon the rest that were innocent, why upon ancient matrons, why upon noble Ladies, and young Gentlewomen and Virgins that came thither for the honour of the wedding? 
Ladies, Gentlewomen, Virgins, counsellors, Physitians, learned Protestants, and among the rest Petrus Ramus slain.  Why were so many women great with child, against the laws of all Nations and of nature, before their delivery thrown into the River? Why were so many aged persons, many that lay sick in their beds, many gowne-men, many counsellors, Advocates, Proctors, Physitians, many singularly learned professors and teachers of good Artes, and among the rest Petrus Ramus that renowned man throughout the world, many young Students executed without hearing, without pleading their cause, without sentence of condemnation? Moreover, if the admiral had slain the three brethren, who doubteth but that all Countries, all Cities, all Parliaments; finally, all sorts and degrees of men would have speedily taken armor, and easily have destroyed all of the Religion, having them enclosed within their towns, and having just cause to render to all foreign nations for their common slaughters and killing of them? 
The absurdity of the suspicion of the Admirals treason against the King of Navarre.  As to that which toucheth the King of Navarre, what can be imagined more absurd & unlikely? Had not the admiral him four yeares in his power? Did not he profess the same Religion that the admiral did? Which of those of the Religion, which of them I say( as Cassius was wont to reason) should have gained or received profit by the killing of the King of Navarre? did not the catholics hate him? and the admiral could not hope to have any man more friendly to him, nor by any other mans means to have revenge of his injury. Lastly, in their houses that were slain, what armor, what weapons were found, by which conjectures Judges use to be lead to trace out a fact? These matters wise men throughout the town of Paris commonly muttered.  
But now to return to our purpose. At such time as the Kings prohibition abovesaid was preclaimed at Paris, not only in other Towns, as at Orleaunce, 
Slaughters in othertowns.  Angiers, Viaron Troyes, and Auxerre, the like butcheries and slaughters were used, but also in the town of Paris itself, in the very gaols that are ordained for the keeping of prisoners, if any had escaped the cruelty of the day before, they were now tumultuously slain by the raging and outraging multitude, in which number were three Gentlemen of great reputation, 
The prisoners murdered in gaols, whereof three gallant Gentlemen was slain among the rest, captain Monius, Lomen the Kings Secretary, chaps a Lawyer. Masson de Rivers a Pastor of the Church, the first that laid the foundation of the Church of Paris, slain.  captain Monins a man very famous in martial prowess, Lomen the Kings secretary, a man of great estimation for his long service in the Court, and chaps a Lawyer near fourscore year old, a man of great renown in the Court of Paris. And because we have made mention of Angiers, we think it good not to omit the case of Masson de Rivers. This man was a Pastor of the Church, and esteemed a singular man both in vertuousnesse of life, & in excellence of wit and learning, and was the first that had laid the foundation of the Church at Paris. As soon as the slaughter was begun at Paris, Monsorel a most cruel enemy of the Religion, was sent to Angiers in post to prevent al other that might carry tidings of the Massacre. As soon as he came into the town, he caused himself to be brought to Massons house: There he met Massons wife in the entry, and gently saluted her, & after the maner of France, specially of the Court, he kissed her, and asked her where her husband was, she answered, that he was walking in the garden, and by and by shee brought Monsorel to her husband, who gently embraced Masson, and said unto him: Canst thou tell why I am come hither? It is to kill thee by the Kings commandement at this very instant time, for so hath the King commanded, as thou mayst perceive by these letters, and therwith he shewed him his dag ready charged. Masson answered that he was not guilty of any crime, howbeit this one thing only he besought him, to give him space to call to the mercy of God, and to commend his spirit into Gods hand. Which prayer as soon as he had ended in few words, he meekly received the death offered by the other, and was shot thorough with a pellet and dyed.  
Now to return to Paris, the Admirals body being hanged up by the heels upon the common gallows of Paris, as is aforesaid, the Parisians went thither by heaps to see it. 
The Qu. goes to behold the admiral hanged by the heels. His body conveyed away secretly, and butted.  And the Queen mother to feed her eyes with that spectacle, had a mind also to go thither, and shee carried with her the King and both her other sons. But the next night following, the body was conveyed away, and( as it is thought) butted. About that time, where as many of the Court secretly muttered that the King should by this fact incur dishonour, not only among foreign Nations, but also with all posterity in time to come for ever, Morvillier, of whom we have made mention before, one that was accounted the principal lewd practiser and wicked sycophant of all France, and the first author and chief mean of bringing the Jesuits into France, came to the queen mother, and  told her that it was best that some of those that were lately taken flying & hiding themselves, should for custom sake be brought to open judgement, and after the accustomend maner should be inquired upon, 
Some brought to open judgement, to wipe off the blot of dishonour from the King.  that they might be condemned by the Sentence of certain Judges picked out for that purpose, and so openly executed in sight of the people. There were called to counsel hereupon Birage, Limege, Thuan and Belleure. They not only allowed Morvilliers opinion, 
A man of hay, instead of the Admirals body, dragged about the streets, his arms and ensigns broken, his children pronounced infamous and unable, &c.  but also gave advice, that a man of hey made in figure for the admiral( for his body, as wee have said, could not bee found) should be dragged by the Boureau thorough the streets, his arms and ensigns of honour broken, his memory condemned, his castles and fermes razed, his children pronounced infamous, unnoble, and intestable, and all the trees in his woods to be hewn down to the height of six foot. There was among those that were apprehended, one Cavaignes, Master of Requests to the King, and Briquemault, of whom we have before spoken. This Briquemault had spent his time in service in the old warres in the time of King Francis and king Henry, and was for the war accounted a man of great experience among the best now living, and was near about threescore and ten years old. 
Cavaignes and Briquemault terrified by most cruel tortures, to make them confess the admiral and themselves traytors.  As soon as they were carried into prison, there were presented unto them all, the tormenter & the hangman, and they were threatened with torture and tearing their bodies in pieces, unless they would presently subscribe with their own hand, that they were of counsel with the admiral to kill the King and his brethren, and the Queen mother, and the King of Navarre. They all cried out that they were ready to suffer death most willingly forasmuch as the Kings pleasure was it should be so: but so great torture they could not bear, and therefore humbly besought his royal goodness and clemency to pardon them that torment, and yet trusting upon the mercy of God, they hoped that they should suffer exceeding great pains, rather than stain themselves with so great shane, or confess an untrue crime against themselves. They that were first assigned their judges, 
The Judges refuse to condemn them.  hearing their cries and defences, and fearing the judgement of the world, said plainly that they would not draw upon themselves most assured infamy for condemning them. Therefore there were new Judges appointed in their places: 
New Judges appointed.  to them was adjoined such a tormenter and notary, as were thought fittest for the purpose. 
Cavaignes and Briquemault condemned.  And so Briquemault and Cavaignes were quickly condemned by a shadowed form of law, and lead to the gibbet standing in the principal street of the town, and in sight of many thousands of men gazing at them. To this spectacle the queen mother lead the King and her other sons, and her son in law, the King of Navarre.  
It was thought commodious for playing of this last act, that Briquemault should in hearing of all the people ask pardon of the King, and for that purpose there were some suborned to put him in mind, that if he would he might easily purchase his life, 
They were earnestly desired to ask the King pardon, that so they might obtain their lives.  for the King was of nature full of clemency and mercy, and if he would ask pardon of his Majesty, with confessing his offence, he should easily obtain it. he answered with a valiant and bold courage, that it was not his part but the Kings to ask pardon of God for his fault, and that he would never crave forgiveness of that offence whereof he well knew himself, 
They refuse.  and had God to witness that he was clear and innocent. nevertheless, he besought God to forgive the King this fault. So were these two excellent and famous men with halters fastened about their necks, thrown by the hangman from the ladder and hanged, 
They are hanged.  and therewithal also the man of straw made for figure of the admiral, was tied fast and hanged with them, after a preposterous order of law, whereby the admiral was first flaine and then condemned.  
But whereas, in a manner, in all Towns there were great slaughters committed, yet was there none more horrible nor more outrageous than the butcherly murder at Lions. 
The most horrid and barbarous murder at Lions, and the manner of it.  So soon as the letters from the Court were brought to Mandelot, governor of the town: first, by a crier & trumpet he caused to be proclaimed, that al the professors of the Religion should appear presently before him at his house. They without all delay repaired to him. As soon as they were come, he commanded them all to suffer themselves to be lead to prison by such officers as should be assigned them. They obeied his word and followed the officers that lead them. By reason of the great multitude, they sorted them into sundry prisons. Then Mandelot willed the common executioner to be commanded in his name to take some to help him, and to kill those that were in prison. 
The common Executioner refuses to kill those in prison.  The executioner answered, that he used not to execute the law upon any but such as were condemned, and in public and open places, and therefore willed him to seek another slaughterman if he would. Mandelot thus refused by the executioner, commanded the garrison souldiers of the castle to do it. 
The souldiers refuse likewise so horrid a villainy, being against their honour to slay those that lay suppliants before them. The business is acted by butchers and watermen.  The souldiers answered that it was against their honour, to use weapon upon men bound and lying suppliant before them. If they had raised any rebellion, or had offended or provoked them, they said they would most readily have fought with them. Being thus refused by them also, at the last he committed the matter to the watermen and butchers. Those fellowes being let into the prisons, went to it with chopping-knives & butchers axes. Such as they found prostrate at their feet, marvelously holding up their hands to heaven, crying upon the mercy of God and men, they did for sport cut off their fingers and the tops of their hands, and throughout the whole town was heard such a cry and lamentable howling of women and children, that innumerable people, even such as were zealously given even to the popish Religion, 
Their unheard of cruelty.  did detest that cruelty, and judged that not men but outrageous savage beasts in shape of men were entred into the prisons. It is well known, that a great number of honest women in the town great with child, were so flighted with the horror of it, that they were delivered before their time. And out of the Court of the gaole, called the Archbishops prison, 
The blood runs out of the gaole the next day warm and smoking into the next streets, & so to the River scene.  the blood was seen in the broad day light, to the great abhorring and fear of many that beholded it, run warm and smoking into the next strets of the Town, and so down into the River of scene. There was in that same Archbishops prison an aged man called Francis Collut, a merchant of caps, and two young men his sons, whom he had ever caused diligently to be taught and instructed in Religion. When he saw the butchers come toward him with their Axes, he began to exhort his children not to refuse the death offered by Cod. For( said he) it is the perpetual destiny of Religion, and that often such sacrifices do betid in Christian Churches, and Christians in al ages have ever been and for ever to the worlds end so shall be as sheep among wolves, doves among hawks, and sacrifices among Priests. Then the old father embraced his two young sons, and lying flat on the ground with them, crying aloud upon the mercy of God, was with many wounds both he and his sons slaughtered by those butchers: and long time afterward their three bodies had knit together yielded a piteous spectacle to many that beholded them. In the mean time Mandelot in jest and scorn( as it seemed) caused to be proclaimed by the crier, that no man should commit any slaughter in the town, 
Mandelot in jest and scorn, caused to bee proclaimed that the slaughters should cease; and the detecters of the murtherers rewarded, and from that time they ceased not to kill and slay.  and that if any would detect the doers of any such slaughter, he would give him a hundred crownes in reward for his information. And from that time they ceased not to kill, to rob and to spoil. The next day after, which was the first day of September, the greatest part of the dead bodies were thrown into the River of scene, and the rest of them, Mandelot, to feed and glut his eyes and heart with blood, caused to be carried by boat to the other side of the water, and there to be thrown down upon the green grass near unto the Abbey called Esne. There the people of Lions, specially the Italians, of whom by reason of the Mart there is great store in the town, satisfied their eyes a while, and did such spites as they could to these heaps of carcases, and so exercised their cruelty not upon the living only, but also upon the dead. And there happened one thing which for the abominable cruelty is not to be omitted. There came to that spectacle certain Apothecaries, 
Abominable barbarousness against the dead bodies.  and among those bodies they perceived some very fat ones, by and by they went to the butchers, and  told them that they did use to make certain special medicines of mans grease, and that they might make some profit thereof. Which as soon as the butchers understood, they ran to the heaps and choose out the fattest, and lanced them with their knives and pulled out the fat, and sold it for money to the Apothecaries.  
While these things were doing at Lions, the King being informed that divers of the Religion had left their wives and children, and were fled out of the other towns; and lurked some in the woods, & some among their friends such as took pity on them, he practised with faire words to 'allure and call them home again. He sent to every part messengers and letters, affirming that he was highly displeased with those slaughters and horrible butcheries, 
The King allures those that were fled, home again, affirming his displeasure with those slaughters, and that he would severely punish them. Those that were beguiled by the Kings speeches, returned home, was presently imprisoned, cruelly tortured and slain. For thirty daies there was no end of murdering throughout all France.  and that he would that such cruelty should be severely punished: and if the Admiral with a few of his confederates had entred into any secret practise, it was no reason, that so many innocents should bear the punishment due to a few. Many sweetly beguiled with these words of the King and with the letters of the governours, retired home again to their dwellings and houses, specially they of evan, deep, and Tholouse. There were scant two dayes passed when they were again commanded to prison, where they were all shut up. Then were murderers a new appointed of the most base and rascall of the people, to torment them with all kind of torture, and then to slay them. And throughout the whole realm of France for thirty dayes together there was no end of killing, slaying and robbing, so that there were about a hundreth thousand little babes, widows and children, that were well born, that by reason hereof fatherless and motherless live wandering and in beggary. About this time the King caused to be proclaimed, that such as had any office or place of charge, unless they would speedily return to the catholic, apostolic and Romish Church, should give over those their temporal rooms: There was no town nor any so small a village or hamlet wherein all the professors of the Religion were not compelled either to go to mass, 
All compelled to Abjure the Protestant Religion, or be slain. Many who abjured the Religion afterward slain.  or presently to take the sword into their bosoms: and in many places it happened that such as being amazed with the suddenness of the matter had abjured their Religion, yet notwithstanding were afterward slain.  
And while these things were still in doing, yet the King in the mean while sent abroad his letters and messages into al parts, and caused to be proclaimed with trumpet, that his pleasure was that the Edicts of Pacification should be observed: 
Notwithstanding all this, the King sends Letters abroad, that he would keep the Edicts of Pacification, and that they should have liberty of Religion. The King a few daies before sent Letters to the Governours of the Provinces that the admiral was slain by the Duke of Guise, to his sorrow, and now proclaims, that the traitorous admiral was slain by his command.  and although they could not have freedom to use and exercise their Religion in open places, yet they should have liberty permitted them to retain and profess it within their own houses, and that no man should meddle with, or disturb the goods and possessions of those of the Religion.  
And the same King, which but few dayes before, had by letters directed to all the Governours of his Provinces, signified that his cousin the admiral was slain by the Duke of Guise to his great sorrow, and that he himself was in great danger, the same King, I say, now caused it with sound of trumpet to be proclaimed that the traitorous and wicked admiral was slain by his will and commandement. he that in few dayes before had by new authority confirmed the liberty of Religion permitted by his Edicts of Pacification, the same King did now not onely take from the professors thereof, their Offices and Honours, but also prescribed them in precise form of words a form of abjuring and detesting their Religion. Which things lest any man should doubt of, we shall hereafter set down the very true copies of the said Letters, Edicts and Abjuration.  

THE KINGS LETTERS, to the Governours of Burgundy, whereby he chargeth those of the House of Guise, for the murder committed upon the Admirals person, and for the sedition which happened at Paris, and commandeth that the Edict of Pacification should be kept and retained.  

COusin, you have perceived what I wrote unto you yesterday, concerning my cousin the Admirals wounding, and how ready I was to do my endeavour to search out the truth of the dead, and to punish it, wherein nothing was left undone or forgotten. But it happened since, that they of the House of Guise, and other Lords and Gentlemen their adherents( whereof there be no small number in this City) when they certainly knew that the Admirals friends would proceed to the revenge of his hurt, & because they were suspected to be the authors thereof, were so stirred up this last night, that a great and lamentable sedition arose thereof, insomuch that the guard by me appointed for his defence about his house, was set upon and he himself with certain of his Gentlemen slain, and havoc of other made in divers places of the city, which was handled with such a rage, that I could not use the remedy that I would, but had much ado to employ my Guards and other defence for the safety of myself and my brethren within the Castle of Louure, to give order hereafter for the appeasing of this sedition, which is at this hour well appeased, thanks be to God, and came to pass by a particular and private quarrel of long time fostered betwixt those two Houses. Whereof, when I fore-saw that there would succeed some mischievous purpose, I did what I could possibly to appease it, as all men know. And yet hereby the Edict of Pacification is not broken, which I will to be kept as straitly as ever it was, as I have given to understand in all places throughout my realm. And because it is greatly to be feared, that such an execution might stir up my subjects, one against another, and cause great murders thorough the Cities of my realm, whereby I should be greatly grieved, I pray you cause to be published and understood in all places of your Government, that every person abide and continue in the safeguard of his own house, and to take no weapons in hand, nor one to hurt another upon pain of death: commanding them to keep and diligently to observe our Edict of Pacification. And to make the offenders and resisters, and such as would disobey and break our will, to be punished: You shall assemble out of hand as great force as you can, as well of your friends as of them that be appointed by me and of others, advertising the Captaines of Castles and Cities in your government, to take heed to the safeguard and preservation of the said places, so that no fault ensue on their behalf, advertising me also so soon as you can, what order you have given herein, and how all things have passed within the circuit of your Government. Hereupon I pray God to keep you, Cousin, in his holy safeguard.  
At Paris the 24. of August. Signed CHARLES, and underneath, BRULARD.   

ANOTHER LETTER FROM the King to the Lord of pry, his Lieutenant general in Touraine, upon the same matter that the former Letter was.  
MOnsieur de pry, you have understood how my Cousin the admiral was hurt the last day, and in what readiness I was to do as much as in me lay, for the trial of the fact, and to cause so great and speedy justice to bee done as should be an example throughout all my realm, wherein nothing was omitted. Since it is so happened, that my Cousins of the House of Guise, and other Lords and Gentlemen their adherents, which are no small party in this town, as all men know, having gotten certain intelligence that the friends of my said Cousin, the admiral, intended to pursue and execute upon them the revenge of this hurt, for that they had them in suspicion to be the cause and occasion thereof, have made such a stir this night past, that among them on both parts hath been raised a great and lamentable tumult: the Guard that was set about the Lord Admirals house, was distressed, himself slain in his house with divers other Gentlemen, as also great slaughter hath been made of others in sundry places & quarters of this town; which hath been done with such fury, that it was impossible for me to give such remedy as was to be wished, I having enough to do to employ my Guard and other forces to keep myself in safety in the Castle of Louure, to the end to give order for the appeasing of the whole uproar, which at this hour( thankes be to God) is well quenched, for that the same happened by the particular quarrel that hath of long time been between those two Houses, whereof always having some doubt that some unhappy effect would ensue, I have( as is well known to all men) before this time done all that I could for to appease it, nothing in this last fact tending to the breach of my Edict of Pacification, which contrariwise I will in all things to be maintained, as at any time heretofore, as I do give it to understand throughout my realm. And for as much as it is greatly to be feared that this may stir up and cause my subjects to rise one against another, and to commit great slaughters in the Towns of my realm, whereof I should be marvelously sorry, I pray you that immediately upon the receipt hereof, ye cause to be published and given to understand in al places of your charge, that every man as well in town as in country, remain in rest and surety in his house, and do not take arms one against another, on pain of death: And that more diligently than at any time heretofore, ye cause the last Edict of Pacification to be kept, and carefully maintained and observed to the intent above-said, and to punish such as shall do to the contrary, and to take into safe custody all such as shall rise and disobey our pleasure, ye shall immediately assemble all the strength that ye are able, as well of your friends being of Our allowance, as others, advertising the Governours, and Captains of towns and Castles within your charge, that they take good heed to the surety and safe keeping of their pieces, in such sort as there ensue no default, informing me with speed of such order as you shall take therein, and how all things shall proceed within the compass of your authority. I have here with me my brother the King of navarre, and my Cousin the Prince of Conde, to take such hap as myself. I pray the Creator, Monsieur de pry, to hold you in His holy safeguard.  
From Paris this 24. of August. Thus signed CHARLES, and underneath PINART.  
These Letters are all of one argument as the former be, and written all in one form, and all one day to Monsieur de pry the Lieutenant of Touraine.   

THE KINGS LETTERS to the Officers of burgess, upon the same matter that the former were.  
OUr loving and faithful, we doubt not but by this time you know of the sedition which to our great grief happened in Paris a few dayes since, wherein my Cousin the admiral, and certain others of his side were slain, and a great murder committed upon divers in many places of this City. And lest the news thereof should change the quiet estate, wherein burgess hath hitherto been maintained since the Edict of Pacification, if remedy were not foreseen, it is the cause that we writ this Letter presently unto you, whereby we command and expressly ordain that every one of you according to his charge do see that no commotion or insurrection be against the inhabitants of the said City, nor that no murder be committed, as it is to be feared, by those that pretend to break the Edict of Pacification, and thereby would execute a revenge of their long and private grudge, to our incredible vexation and anguish of mind. For this cause it is your part to give to understand and publish throughout that City of ours, and other places pertaining to it, that every one should quietly and peaceably keep their houses, without taking weapons in hand, and offending one the other, upon pain of death, and well and diligently to keep our Edict of Pacification. And if any go about to contrary this Our intent and mind, to cause them to be punished and rigorously chastised by penalties imposed on such offenders in Our Ordinances, having a watchful and diligent eye to the safeguard of that Our City, in such sort that no inconvenience arise in your service towards Us, as you would have Us to know, that you are Our loyal and obedient subjects.  
Given at Paris the 27. day of August, 1572. Thus Signed, CHARLES, and below, De neuf-ville.   

A LETTER OF THE Treasurer of the Leagues of the swissers, written by the Kings commandement unto the said Leagues of the same argument that the former Letters were.  
NOble seigniors, Monsieur de la fountain, ambassador for the King your assured and perfect Friend and Confederate, and I his Treasurer in this country, having commandement of his Majesty to communicate with you, as with them whom he accounteth his chief and sure Friends, of a chance which lately happened in the City of Paris, his own persen and Court then being there, whereof he received so much more grief and displeasure, because it befell on such a time as he least feared, or looked for such a thing. The matter is this. On the 27. day of August last, the admiral as he went from Louure, was with an Harquebuze shot hurt in the hand and arm, whereof when his Majesty was advertised, he commanded incontinent that search and punishment were had of the offendor, and the authors of such a mischief: whereunto, when he had readily laid his hand by his Officers, and committed the inhabitants of the house, where the harquebuze was shot, to prison, they which were the first cause of the mischief( as it may easily be presupposed) because they would prevent the inquisition thereof, heaping one transgression upon another, on the 23. and 24. of the said month assembled a great troop of people in the night, and moved the people of Paris to a very great sedition, who in a rage set upon the Admirals lodging, and enforcing the Guard which his Majesty had set for the Admirals surety and keeping, slay him with certain other Gentlemen in his company, as the like also was committed upon others in the City, the matter growing in the very same instant to such an outrage and commotion, that whereas his Majesty had thought to provide remedy for appeasing thereof, he had much a do with all his Guards to keep his house at Louure, where he lodged with the two Queens, his mother and the Spouse, the Lords his brethren, the King of Navarre and other Princes. think therefore ye Noble seigniors, in what a perplexity this young and courageous King now standeth, who, as a man may say, hath held in his hand thorns in stead of a sceptre ever since his coming to the Crown, for the great troubles which have almost ever since been in his realm, and therefore by the good and wise counsel and assistance of the queen his mother, and the Lords his brethren, thought to enjoy and establish a more sure repose in his realm, and a more happy government for himself and his subjects, after he had taken away( as he thought) all occasions of dissensions amongst his subjects, by the means of his Edicts of Pacifications, and of the marriage of the King of Navarre to the Lady his sister, and the Prince of Conde to madam de Nevers. Besides all this, to the intent nothing should be left undone that might serve for the quieting of all things, and especially for the Admirals safeguard; his Majesty, as every man knoweth, hath done his endeavour to the uttermost, to appease and reconcile his principal and most dangerous enemies unto him. And so God the true Judge of the Kings Majesties good and pure intent, brought to pass, that the peoples rage being quieted within a few houres, every one went home to his house, and the King had special regard to nothing more than to see nothing attempted or innovated contrary to his Edicts of Pacification, and the repose of his subjects, as well of the one Religion, as of the other. And for that purpose hath sent to divers of his Governours and Officers in his Provinces, to look diligently to the observing of his Edicts, with express commandement to hold their hands there, that every one might perceive that the chance at Paris happened for some private quarrel, and not for any purpose to alter his Edicts, which his Majesty will in no wise suffer. Which is the principal thing, Noble seigniors, that his Majesty hath commanded us on his part to assure you, and to let you understand the dangers that depend over him and his neighbours, not so much for this sedition, for he trusteth in God that shall grow no further, and his Majesty will keep his realm in as good repose as it hath been since his last Edict of Pacification, but for the great mustering and assembling men of war in many places, especially in the Lowcountreys, where it is yet uncertain on which side God will give the victory, nor whether the conqueror will employ his force, after his conquest. Wherefore his Majesty prayeth you, continuing the good love and intelligence which hath always been betwixt the crown of France and his allied and confederate friends the seigniors of the Leagues, to have good regard to him, and his realm, in case that need shall require, as he will have to you and your prosperous estate, if it be requisite, employing in the mean while your great and singular wisdom to the preservation of the union of the Nation in League, which is the only means to make you, not only able to sand succour to your friends, but also maintain yourselves in estimation, that you may be a terror to your neighbours, how great soever they be, his Majesty promising you in all occurrents as much friendship, favour and assictance, as you can desire, and to be as entire and perfect a friend, as ever your nation had any.     

A DECLARATION OF the King, concerning the occasion of the Admirals death and his adherents and complices, happened in the City of Paris the 24. of August 1572.  
Imprinted at Paris by John Dallier Stationer, dwelling on Saint Michaels bridge, at the sign of the white Rose: By the Kings Licence.  
BY THE King,  
HIS Majesty desiring to have all seigniors, Gentlemen, and other his subjects, understand the cause of the murder of the admiral and his adherents and complices, which lately happened in this City of Paris the 24. day of this present month of August, lest the said dead should be otherwise disguised and reported than it was indeed: His Majesty therefore declareth that which was done, was by his express commandement, and for no cause of Religion, nor breaking his Edicts of Pacification, which he always intended, and still mindeth and intendeth to observe and keep: yea, it was rather done to withstand and prevent a most detestable and cursed conspiracy begun by the said admiral the chief captain thereof, and his said adherents and complices, against the Kings person, his estate, the queen his mother, and the Princes his brethren, the King of Navarre, and other Lords about him. Wherefore his Majesty by this Declaration & Ordinance giveth to understand to all Gentlemen and others of the Religion, which they pretend reformed, that he mindeth and purposeth that they shall live under his protection, with their wives and children in their houses, in as much safoguard as they did before, following th● b●nefit of the former Edicts of Pacification, most expressly commanding and ordaining, that all Governours and Lieutenants general in every of his Countreyes and Provinces, and other Justices and Officers, to whom it appertaineth, do not attempt, nor suffer to be attempted any thing in what sort soever, upon the persons and goods of them of the Religion, their wives, children, and families, on pain of death to be inflicted on those that shall be found faulty and culpable in this behalf. And nevertheless to withstand the troubles, slanders, suspicions, and defiances that may come by Sermons and assemblies, as well in the house of the said Gentlemen, as in other places, as it is suffered by the said Edicts of Pacification: it is expressly forbidden, and inhibited by his Majesty to all Gentlemen and others of the said Religion, to have no assemblies for any cause at all, until his Majesty hath provided and appointed otherwise for the tranquillity of his realm, upon paint of disobedience and confiscation of body and goods. It is also expressly forbidden under the pain aforesaid, that for the foresaid occasions, none shall take or retain any prisoners, or take ransom of them, and that incontinently they certify the Governours of every Province, and the Lieutenant general, of the name and quality of every such prisoner, whom his Majesty hath appointed shall be released and set at liberty, except they be of the chief of the late conspiracy, or such as have made some practise or device for them, or had intelligence thereof: and they shall advertise his Majesty of such, to know his further pleasure. It is also ordained, that from hence-forth none shall take or arrest any prisoner for that cause, without his Majesties commandement, or his Officers, nor that none be suffered to roame abroad in the fields, to take up dogs, cattle, Beefes, Kine, or other beasts, goods, fruits, grain, nor any thing else, nor to hurt the labourers by word or dead, but to let them alone about their work and calling, in peace and safety.  
At Paris the 28. of August. 1572. Signed, CHARLES, and underneath FIZES.   

THE KINGS LETTERS to the Officers of burgess, of the same argument that the former Declaration was.  
OUR trusty and well beloved, We considering that under the colour of the death of the admiral, and his adherents and complices, certain Gentlemen, and others our subjects, professing the Religion called Reformed, might rise and assemble together to the prejudice and hindrance of the tranquillity which we have always desired should be in our realm, the doing of the said murder being counterfeited and given out otherwise than it was. We have therefore made a Declaration and Ordinance, which we sand you, willing you to publish the same incontinently by sound of Trumpet, and setting the same up in such places of your Jurisdiction, where cries and Proclamations are usually made, to the end that every one might know it. And although we have always been diligent observers of our Edicts of Pacification; yet seeing the troubles and seditions which might arise amongst our subjects by the occasion of the said murder, as well of the admiral as of his companions, we command you, and ordain, that you particularly forbid the principals of the Religion, pretended reformed, within your Jurisdiction, that they have no Sermons nor assemblies either in their houses, or in any other places, to take away all doubt and suspicion which might be conceived against them. And likewise that you advertise such as dwell in the Cities of your Jurisdiction, what you judge meet to be done, to the intent they might in this point follow Our mind, and keep them quiet in their houses, as they may do by the benefit of our Edict of Pacification, and there they shall be under Our protection and safeguard: but if they will not so retire themselves after you have given them warning, then shall you set on them with all strength and force, as well by the Provosts of the Marishals and their Archers, as others which you can gather together by Bell-ringing or otherwise, so that you hue them all to pieces as enemies to Our crown. Besides, what commandements soever we have sent by word of mouth, either to you, or others in Our realm, when we were in fear, upon just occasion, knowing the conspiracy that the admiral had begun of some mischance that might fall unto us, we have and do revoke, willing you and others that no such thing be executed, for such is Our pleasure.  
Given at Paris the 30. of August, 1572. Thus signed CHARLES, and underneath, De Neuf-ville. Published in judgement.   

REMEMBRANCES AND Instructions sent by the King to the Count of Charny, his general Lieutenant in Burgundy, of the same argument.  
THe King considering the commotion lately happened in Paris, wherein the Lord admiral Chastilion with other Gentlemen of his side were slain, because they had mischivously conspired to set upon the Kings Majesties person, the queen his mother, the Princes his brethren, the King of Navarre, and other Princes and Lords near about them, and upon his estate: and lest they of the Religion called reformed, not knowing the true causes of the said rebellion, should arise and put themselves in arms as they have done in the troubles that be passed, and device new practices and fetches against the weal of his Majesty and tranquillity of his realm, if he should not cause the truth of the matter to be known to all Gentlemen and others his subjects of the same religion how it passed, and what his pleasure and mind is in their behalfs. And thinking that for remedy hereof, it is very needful for the Governours of the Provinces in his realm to go round about their Governments: for this occasion he willeth that the Count of Charny great Esquire of France, and his Majesties Lieutenant General for the government of Burgundy, shall go diligently thorough all Cities and places of the said Government, and as he arriveth in every place, he shall device the best ways that he can to make peace, union and quietness amongst the Kings subjects, as well of the one Religion as of the other. And to bring it the better about, he shall gently call before him in open or private place, as he shall see best cause for his Majesties service herein, the Gentlemen of the Places, and the Burgesses of the Cities of his Government, that be of the Religion, and shal declare unto them, and cause them to understand the truth of the said commotion, lest any have misreported it to them, otherwise than it was indeed. And shall tell them, that under the colour of the Lord Admirals hurt, wherefore his Majesty would have caused justice to be done according to the good order that he had appointed, the said admiral and Gentlemen of his Religion which were in the City with him, without looking for the execution of the said Justice, had made a mischievous, unhappy, and detestable conspiracy against the Kings Majesties person, the Queen his mother, the Lords his brethren, the King of Navarre, and other Princes and Lords with them, and against the whole Estate, even as certain of the chief and adherents of the said conspiracy( acknowledging their fault) have confessed. wherefore his Majesty was constrained( to his great grief) to resist and prevent so mischievous, pernicious and abominable a purpose. And that which he suffered to bee done on Sunday, the 24. of August, upon the admiral and his complices, was not for any Religion, nor to go against the Edict of Pacification, he intending nevertheless that they of the Religion should still live and abide in all liberty and safety, with their wives, children and families in their houses, as he hath and will maintain them, if they be content to live quietly under his obedience as he desireth. For the which cause he willeth, that the Count Charny shall offer and give to them his Letters of safeguard in good and authentic form, which shall be of as good force and virtue, as if they should come or be taken from his own Majesty: and by the authority of them they shall be preserved from all wrongs, violences, and oppressions: enjoining and forbidding most expressly all his catholic subjects, whosoever they are, to attempt nothing, upon the persons, goods, or families of any of the Religion which kept themselves quietly in their houses, on pain of death. And if any be so rash, or evil advised, to do against this Injunction, or to violate the safeguard promised, his Majesty willeth that ready and rigorous punishment be done, to the intent that their example may serve to hold in others not to do the like: which is the true and only means of assurance that his Majesty can give to them of the Religion, with his word and promise which he giveth them to be their good and benign Prince, protector & preserver of them, and of all that toucheth them, so long as they live and continue under his obedience without doing or enterpriseing any thing against his will and service. And because his Majesty hath often known that the enterprises and consultations taken in hand by them of the Religion against his service, have been concluded amongst them at assemblies at Sermons, which Gentlemen had liberty to cause to be made in their houses and Lordships: therefore my Lord of Charnye shall particularly give to understand to Gentlemen which were wont to have such Sermons, that his Majesty in consideration that nothing hath more moved and set on the catholics against those of the Religion, than such preachings & assemblies, and if they continue it is certain that it willbe a cause to increase and maintain the said commotions, desireth that they should cause them to cease off until he hath otherwise provided and appointed, and that they apply themselves hereunto, as a thing greatly serving the effect of his intention, which is gently to bring his said subjects to a true and perfect amity, union and concord one with another, committing all divisions and partialities to oblivion. And because this may secome hard at the beginning, my Lord of Charny shall cause it to be faire and gently spoken to them, lest they enter into some strange conjecture, or suspicion. For so his said majesty would proceed in all true sincerity towards them which conform themselves to his will and obedience, wherein he exhorteth them to live, with all the best persuasions that he can, and shall assure them, in so doing, to be surely maintained and preserved as his other subjects the catholics, as his Majesty would that he should do. And to the intent his said subjects the catholics should know how to use and behave themselves herein, my L. of Charny shal tel them that his Majesties pleasure neither is nor hath been, that any wrong or oppression should be done to them of the said Religion, which like good and loyal subjects will gently keep themselves under his obedience. Declaring unto the said catholics, that if they forget themselves, and hurt those of the Religion, which in such sort behave themselves toward his Majesty, and those also which for that end have received of his Majesty, or of my Lord of Charny, Letters of forefeet, he will cause them to be punished and chastised in the field, as transgressors of his commandements, without any hope of grace, pardon, or remission. Which the said Lord of Charny shall express and declare unto them, with as plain words as is possible, and cause it also to be as straightly executed. And after that following his Majesties intent, he hath pacified them by this means, which is the way that his Majesty best liketh of, and preached the direction to assure a tranquillity between the subjects, and to set some assurance betwixt the one and the other, such as shall conform themselves herein to his said Majesties will, he will comfort, and make them the best and most gentle entertainment that he possibly can. But if any of the Religion become self-willed and stubborn to his Majesty, without having regard to his said warnings, and shal assemble in arms together, making practices and devices against the weal of his service: then the Lord of Charny shall run upon them, and hue them in pieces before they have power to fortify themselves and join together. And therefore he shall assemble as much force as he can, as well of the ordinary, as of other men of war, Souldiers, Foot-men of the garrisons, and inhabitants of the catholics within the Cities of his Government, and shal besiege them which hold and make themselves strong in Cities about of his Government, so that the victory and authority may remain in his Majesty.  
At Paris the 30. of August 1572. Signed CHARLES: and underneath BRULARD.   

THE KINGS LETTERS to the Lord of Gwich, whereby it may plainly bee perceived, how they would search out all them of the Religion which had any charge in hand during the troubles.  
MY L. of Gwich, I understand that the three brethren Daggonels, and one Porcher, the host at the sign of the Adventure, Mossoner, crispin, and Captain Grise, which were the principal of the Faction in Burgundy, and were the cause of the taking and recovering of the City of Mascon in the late troubles, and of all the decay which happened in that country, be kept prisoners in Mascon. And because I understand they hope to escape out by ransom( which I would in no wise should bee done) I ordain and command that you keep them safe, for as much as I hope by their means to discover a great many things, which greatly touch the weal of my service. And if there be any other prisoners of the new Religion in Mascon, which have been factions, you shall likewise keep thē so that they escape not by paying ramsome, for I would not for any thing in the world that there should be taking of ramsome among my subjects. And thus my L. of Gwich I pray God keep you in his holy tuition.  
Written at Paris the 24. of Septemb. 1572. signed CHARLES, and underneath, BRULARD.   

THE KINGS LETTERS to Monsieur de Gordes his Lieutenant general in dauphin, wherein he sendeth him word, that the best proof of his doings is the accusations and complaints of them of the Religion against him, whereunto he should have care to answer.  
M. De Gordes, by your Letters of the first of this month, I perceived the order which you appointed in your Government since the advertisement which you had of the execution of the admiral and his adherents: and since I am sure you forgot nothing which you thought might serve for your assurance of those places whereof you had occasion to doubt. And to the intent you should have the more means to make yourself known, I have prepared that the souldiers of Corsica, which I had appointed to go into Province, should return to you, and thereupon have written to my Cousin, the Count of tend, who will not fail to sand them unto you, for as much as there is no need of them now in that country. he should also sand you word of the time of their departing, to the end that you might have leisure to provide to receive them, and appoint their places where they should bee in garrison. I have seen that which you writ to me concerning the continual payment in dauphin, what is due for the last year, whereupon I will advice of the state of my fines the means that may be, and according thereunto there shall be no fault, but they shall be provided for. For the reparation of the Bridge of Grenoble, they of the same place must device the means wherein they should best help themselves therein, and when they have advertised me, I will appoint them necessary provision. Touching the souldiers appointed for the Baron of address, because the occasion why I appointed them to be levied now ceaseth, I have written to him to sand them back and dismiss them again: wherefore there is no need to make provision for their maintenance, nor likewise to tell you any thing else concerning the answers which you have made to the remembrances which they of the Religion have presented against you. For your doings are well known and plain unto me, and thereupon I will take no better proof than their accusation. Wherefore you shall put yourself to no more pain on that side. Moreover, I have herewith sent you a copy of the declaration which I made of the Admirals death and his adherents, and made to be understood that it should be observed and followed, and that all murders, sackings, and violences should cease. nevertheless I have heard complaints of divers places that such extraordinary ways continue, which is a thing, that doth much displease me. By the means whereof I advice you, in doing this charge once again put unto you, that you give order throughout your Government to cause all hostility, force, and violence to cease, and that the said Declaration be straightly observed and kept, with punishing those that withstand, so rigorously, that the demonstration thereof may serve for an example, seeing my intent is that they should be punished as behoveth, and to mark them which wink or dissemble thereat. This present Letter shall serve also for an advice of the receipt of those Letters which you wrote the fifth of this present, whereby you sand me word, that you received no message by word of mouth from me, but only Letters of the 22, 24, and 28, of the month past, whereof put yourself to no further pain, for that charge was onely for such as then were near about me, which is all that I have at this time to say unto you. Praying hereupon the Creator to keep you in his holy and worthy tuition.  
Written at Paris the fourth day of September. Signed, CHARLES, and beneath FIZES, and above,  
To M. de Gordes, Knight.   

THE KINGS LETTERS to the Duke of Guise, his Lieutenant general in champaign, and in pry.  
COusin, although in all my former Letters I have given you to understand well enough how much I desire that all my subjects, as well of the Nobility as others which profess the new Religion, and quietly use themselves in your Government, should by you be maintained and preserved in all surety under my protection and safeguard, without giving them any hindrance by trouble in their persons, goods, and families: yet nevertheless I have been advertised that in certain places of my realm there have been many sackings and pillings done by such as dwell in the houses of them of the said new Religion, as well in the fields as in the Cities, under colour of the commotion which happened in my City of Paris the 24. day of August last, a thing beyond all measure displeasant and disagreeable unto me, and for the which I would have provision & remedy. Wherefore I pray you, Cousin, that above all things, as you desire that I should know the good affection you bear to the good weal of my service, you take that matter next your heart, to preserve and maintain within your Government, according to that which I have so plainly  told and written to you heretofore, that all such of the new Religion which behave themselves quietly, take no wrong or violence, whether it bee for the preservation of their goods or persons, no more than to my catholic subjects. And where any wrong or out-rage shall be offered them against my will, as I have before declared, so do I now by these presents declare; I will and intend that you shal make some evident and notorious punishment of such as are herein culpable, so that their correction may serve for an example of all other, that I may see myself thoroughly obeied herein as I would be, and my commandements received amongst all my subjects in another sort than they have been heretofore. Assuring you cousin, that the best news that I shall receive from you, shall be to hear say that you chastise those well, of whom I am disobeyed. And thus Cousin, I pray God to keep you in his holy tuition.  
Written from Paris the 28. of September, 1572. Signed CHARLES: And underneath BRULART.   

REMEMBRANCES SENT BY the King to all Governours, and Lieutenants of his Provinces, to put out and remove all those of the Religion from their estates and charges, although they would abjure the same, saving such as have but small estates and offices, to whom his Majesty permitteth continuance, on condition that they abjure the said Religion according to the form of Abjuration sent for that purpose.  
THe King considering how much his Officers and Magistrates of Justice, and such as have the administration and dealing of his Fines and payments, which be of the new Religion, are suspect and hated, and put his catholic subjects in great mistrust if they should presently exercise their offices after these fresh commotions: therfore lest the people should thereby be brought to a new occasion of stir, and they of the new Religion bee in danger or hazard of their own persons, although they would abjure their said new Religion, and profess the Holy Faith and catholic Religion of Rome: His majesty desiring to avoid the new mischiefs and troubles which may come, hath advised to discharge the said Officers from the exercise of the said Offices, until he shall otherwise appoint. And yet nevertheless, in the mean while, if the said Officers bee obedient unto his will, and live quietly in their houses, without attempting, practising, or taking any thing in hand against his service, they shal receive their wages, and they that will resign their said Offices to catholic persons, and come to his Majesty, shall be honourably provided for. And as touching other small Offices without wages, which cannot be troublesone, as Notaries, Sergeants, and such where the Officers have none authority, which cannot be so odious nor mistrustful to the people as the other; his Majesty is advised, that such small Officers which will abjure the said new Religion, and profess the faith catholic, apostolic, and Romish, and therein live continually hereafter, shall continue in the exercise and enjoying of their estates: but they that will continue in their new opinion, shall depart from their Offices, until his Majesty hath otherwise provided. And this is for the great mischief and inconvenience that may betid them, if they should exercise their said estates, because of the great mistrust and suspicion which the catholics have conceived of them of the new Religion. nevertheless his Majesty well considering that the most part of the said officers have none other way to live, but the exercise of their said offices, willeth that they shall be in choice to resign to catholic and capable persons, and then to come to him for that effect, and he will grant them the greatest favour and moderation of his treasury that is possible. The which resolution and pleasure of his Majesty he willeth to be declared to the said officers of the new pretended opinion as well by Governours and Lieutenants general of his Provinces, as by them of his courts of Parliament, of the Chamber of his accounts, of the Court of his aids, them of his great council, of the Treasury of France, the Generals of his Fines, his bailiffs, Seneshals, Provosts, Judges, or their Lieutenants, and every one of them as shall appertain. And to this intent his Majesty willeth and intendeth that every one of them in their calling shal sand particularly & apart for every of the said officers of the new Religion, which be of their incorporation, charge and Jurisdiction, and shal admonish them in this behalf to comform themselves to his Majesties mind: and if any of them in authority, because of their said estates, will return to the bosom of the catholic and Romish Church, it shall be said to them that his Majesty liketh very well of it, and that he taketh a great and singular affection therein, and that it shal give him the greater assurance and credit of their good will, and that his Majesty will not bar them from his service hereafter, but will provide for them as their behaviour shall deserve. And notwithstanding, for the reasons above-said, he willeth that they shall cease from the exercise of their estates and offices, until he otherwise appointeth. And because that in many places of the realm they have proceeded by way of seizing the goods of them of the new Religion which be dead or absent, and hid themselves: and sometimes of those which be in their own houses, although his Majesty gave to understand by his Declaration of the 28. of August last, that he would and intended that they of the new Religion should enjoy their goods, nevertheless to the intent there should be no doubt of his purpose, and that no mistrust might arise thereupon, he declareth, willeth, and intendeth again, that according to his Declaration of the 28. of August, they of the new Religion which be living, whether they be present or absent, and bee not culpable or charged with the last conspiration, or to have attempted against his Majesty or his Estate, since his Edict of Pacification, shall be restored to their houses, and put in possession of all and singular their goods movable or unmovable. And that the widows and heires of them that be dead, may and shal succeed them, and apprehended all and singular their goods, and that they shall be maintained in them, and kept under the protection and safeguard of his Majesty, so that no hurt shall be done or said unto them in any manner of ways or sort. Willing for this purpose that all necessary surety shall be given them, and that all Officers, Magistrates, Majors and others, which have public charge, shall main them in all safety, forbidding all persons of what estate, quality or condition soever they be, not to hurt them in person or goods upon pain of death. And nevertheless his Majesty willeth, that they of the new Opinion shall submit themselves, and promise upon pain to be declared rebels and traitors to his Majesty, that they shall hereafter live under his obedience without attempting any thing to the contrary, or taking their parts that do attempt against his Majesty and estate, or things against his Ordinances, and to aclowledge none but his Majesty or such as he shall appoint under him to have authority to command them. And if they know any that shall enterprise against his Majesty and service, to reveal them incontinent to him and his Officers, as good and faithful subjects. And to take way all doubt and suspicion, as well from the Nobility as others, because that in the Declaration of the 24. of the last month, these words are contained,( Except they be those of the chief, which had commandement for those of the new Opinion, or those which made practices and devices for them, or those which might have had intelligence of the said conspiracy.) His Majesty declareth that he meaneth not of things done and past during the troubles which were before the Edict of Pacification in August 1570. and that there shall be no inquisition thereof, and none shal be troubled in goods or person therefore( but for that respect they shall enjoy the benefit of the Edict of Pacification) but that the said words extend only to those which be found to be guilty or accessary to the last conspiracy done against his Majesty and Estate, and that others which are imprisoned, shal be set at liberty. And as touching them which will make profession of their faith, and return to the catholic Religion, his Majesty desireth that his Governours and officers shal excite and comfort them as much as they can, to that effect, and execution of that good will: and that their friends and kinsfolks should also be exhorted to do the like for their part. And if any should hurt them in goods or body, his Majesty willeth ready and speedy execution to be done on them. And to the intent that they may follow the form which hath been kept, in professing the faith which they do make that return to the apostolic and Romish Church, there is sent herewith a memory thereof.  
From Paris the 22. day of Septemb. 1572. Signed CHARLES, and beneath PINART.   

THE form OF ABJUration of heresy, and confession of faith, which they which have swerved from the Faith, and pretend to be received into the Church, ought to make.  
THIS IS THE ABJUration which they caused al of the Religion to make in France, to save their lives. Printed at Paris by Nicolas Roffet, dwelling in the new street of our Lady, at the sign of the Mower: With the Kings Privilege.  
FIrst, they which have swerved from the Faith, and desire to return into the compass of our holy Mother Church, ought to present themselves to their Curates or Vicars to bee instructed of that which they ought to do: that done, they shall be sent unto the reverend Bishop of the Dioces, or his chancellor, or official, to make the said Abjuration and Confession in manner and form following.  
I. N. born at, &c. in the Dioces of, &c. and dwelling, &c. Acknowledging by the grace of God the true Faith catholic and apostolic, from the which I have through my fault gone astray, and separated myself since, &c. and desirous to return to the flock of Christs true Sheep-fold, which is the catholic, apostolic, and Romish Church, confess to have Abjured and cursed all the errors and heresy of the Lutherans, Calvinists, and Hugonots, and all other heresy whatsoever, where-with I have heretofore been defamed or touched: And I agree to the Faith of our holy mother the Church, and desire you in the name of God, of His son Jesus Christ, and of the glorious Virgin His Mother Mary, and of all the Saints of paradise, that it would please you to receive me into the flock and Sheepfold of Gods people, which live under the obedience of the Pope, ordained our Saviour Jesus Christs Vicat in the said Church, submitting myself patiently to abide, and willingly to do the Penance which it shal please you to enjoin me for the absolution of my faults committed, whilst I was in the fore-said Sects, whereof I ask and require pardon of God, and of his said Church, and of you( that be appointed my Pastors by God the Creator) absolution, with such penance as you shall judge to be wholesome for the satisfaction of my sins and offences. And to the intent you should know that I have and do make this Abjuration from my heart. I confess moreover before God and you, that I believe that which is contained in the symbol or Creed of the Apostles, and Athanasius, and other Confessions of Faith made and approved by the whole councils of the catholic, apostolic, and Romish Church, that is, I believe in one only God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord, our Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son engendered by God the Father before the constitution of the world, God of God, Light of Light, true God of true God, engendered not Created, consubstantial with the Father, by whom all things were made, who for us men, and for our salvation, descended from Heaven, &c. as in the belief of Morning Prayer. I believe likewise, aclowledge and confess all that which is contained in the books, as well of the old, as of the new Testament, approved by the said Holy and apostolic Church of Rome, according to the sense and interpretation of the holy Doctors received by the same, rejecting all other interpretation as false and erroneous. I aclowledge the seven Sacraments of the said catholic, apostolic and Romish Church, that they were instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, and that they be necessary for the salvation of mankind, although that all of them are not of necessity to be conferred to all, that is to say, I confess that the said seven Sacraments are these, baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, which is the Sacrament of the Altar, Penance, extreme Unction, Order, and Marriage, and that the said Sacraments confer grace, and that of them, baptism, Confirmation, and Order, cannot be reiterated without sacrilege. That the said Sacraments have the effect which the said Church teacheth, & that the form & usage wherewith they bee ministered to Christians, is holy and necessary. I aclowledge also that the holy mass is a sacrifice and oblation of the very body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, under the form of bread and wine mingled with water, which substances of bread and wine under the said forms( are in the mass by the words which serve for consecration, said and pronounced by the Priest) transubstantiated and transformed into the substance of the said body & blood of Jesus Christ. Notwithstanding, that the qualities and accidents remain in the said forms after the said consecration, & that the mass is wholesome and profitable as well for the quick as the dead. I aclowledge and confess the concomitance, that is to say, that in receiving the body of Jesus Christ under the form of bread alone, I likewise receive the blood of Jesus Christ. I confess that Prayer and intercession of Saints for the quick and the dead is holy, good and healthful for Christians, and is not contrary( for any respect) to the glory of God. That prayers made in the Church for the faithful which are dead, do profit them for the remission of their sins, and lessening of their pains incurred for the same. That there is a Purgatory where the souls abiding are succoured by the prayers of the faithful. I confess that we must honour and call upon the Saints which reign with Jesus Christ, and that they make intercession for us to God, and that their relics are to be worshipped. That the Commandements and Traditions of the catholic, apostolic and Romish Church, as well they which pertain to the form & ceremonies of divine Service, and to assist the same, which I think be to draw Christian people to piety and turning to their God, as fasting, abstaining from meats, observation of holidays, and ecclesiastical policy, according to the tradition of the Apostles and holy Fathers, continued since the Primitive Church till this time, & afterwards brought into the Church by the ordinances of councils received in the same of long and ancient time, or of late, be good and holy, to the which I will and ought to obey, as prescribed and appointed by the Holy Ghost, the Author and director of that which serveth for the keeping of Christian Religion, and of the catholic apostolic and Roman Church. I believe also and accept all the articles of original sin, and of Justification. I affirm assuredly, that we ought to have and keep the Images of Jesus Christ, of his holy Mother, and all other Saints, and do honour and reverence unto them. I confess the power of Indulgence and Pardons to be left in the Church by Jesus Christ, and the use of them to be very healthful, as also I aclowledge and confess the Church of Rome to be the Mother and chief of all Churches, and conducted by the Holy Ghost: and that other pretended particular inspirations against the same, come of the suggestion of the devil, the Prince of dissension, which would separate the union of the mystical Body of the Saviour of the world. Finally, I promise straightly to keep all that was ordained at the last general council of Trent, and promise to God and you, never more to depart from the catholic, apostolic, and Roman Church: and if I do( which God forbid) I submit myself to the penalties of the Canons of the said Church, made, ordained, and appointed against them which fall back into apostasy. The which Abjuration and Confession I have subscribed.   

THE KINGS LETTER to M. de Guise, and other Lieutenants and Governours of his Provinces, by the which he wholly abolisheth and subverteth all the Edicts of Pacification, and willeth that only the Romish Religion should take place in his realm.  
THE King knowing that the Declaration which he made upon the occasion which lately chanced in the City of Paris, the remembrances and instructions of his will which he sent round about to all Governours of his Provinces, and Lieutenants general therein, and particular letters to the Seneshals, and his Courts of Parliament, and other Officers and Ministers of Justice, cannot hitherto stay the course of murders and robberies done in the most part of the Cities of this realm, to his Majesties great displeasure: hath advised for a more singular remedy, to sand all the said Governours into every of their charges and governments, assuring himself, that according to the quality and power which they have of his Majesty, they can well follow and observe his intent, the which more fully to declare, his Majesty hath caused his Letters Patents to be dispatched, which shall be delivered them. Besides the contents whereof M. de Guise the governor, and Lieutenant general for his Majesty in champaign and Brye, shall call before him the Gentlemen of the new Religion abiding within his government, and shall tell them that the Kings will and intent is to preserve them, their wives, children and families, and to maintain them in possession of their goods, so that on their part they live quietly, and render to his Majesty obedience and fidelity as they ought: in which doing the King also will defend them, that they shall not be molestea or troubled by way of Justice, or otherwise in their persons and goods, by reason of things done during the troubles, and before the Edict of Pacification of August, 1570. And afterwards he shall lovingly admonish them to continue no longer in the Error of the new Opinions, and to return to the catholic Religion, reconciling themselves to the catholic Romish Church, under the doctrine and obedience whereof, the King his predecessors and their subjects have always holily lived, and this realm hath been carefully conducted and maintained: showing to them the mischiefs and calamities which have happened in this realm, since these new opinions have entred into mens spirits: How many murders have been caused by such which have fallen from the right way holden by their Ancestors. First, they made them separate themselves from the Church, then from their next of kindred, and also to be estranged from the service of their King, as a man may see since his reign. And although the authors and heads of that side, would have covered their doings under the title of Religion and conscience: yet their deeds and works have shown well enough that the name of Religion was but a vizard to cover their drifts and disobedience, and under that pretence to assemble and suborn people, and to make and compel them to swear in the cause under the title of disobedience, and by such ways to turn them from the natural affection which they owe to the King, and consequently from his obedience; it being notorious, that what commandement soever the King could make to them of the new Religion, they have not since his reign obeied him otherwise than pleased their heads. And contrariwise, when their said heads commanded them to arise and take to their weapons, to set upon Cities, to burn Churches, to sack and pill, to trouble the realm, and fill it with blood and fire, they which went so astray to follow them, forgot all trust and duty of good subjects, to execute and obey their commandements. Which things if the Gentlemen will well consider, they shall easily judge how unhappy and miserable their condition shall be, if they continue longer therein. For they may well think of themselves, that the King being taught by experience of so great a danger, from the which it hath pleased God to preserve him and his Estate, and having proved the mischiefs and calamities which this Realm hath suffered by the enterprise of the heads of this cause, their adherents and complices, that he will never willingly be served with any Gentlemen of his subjects that be of any other Religion than the catholic, in the which also the King, following his predecessors, will live and die. He willeth also to take away all mistrust amongst his subjects, and to quench the rising of discords and seditions, that all they of whom he is served in honourable places, and specially the Gentlemen which desire to be accounted his good and lawful subjects, and would obtain his favour, and be employed in charges of his service, according to their degrees and qualities, do make profession here-after to live in the same Religion that he doth: having tried that discords and civill warres will not cease in a State where there be many Religions, and that it is not possible for a king to maintain in his realm diversities in Religion, but that he shal lose the good will & benevolence of his subjects, yea, and they which are of a contrary Religion to his, desire nothing in their heart more than the change of the King and of his Estate. For the reason above-said, the Duke of Guise, to bring the matter to this pass, shall take pains to persuade the Nobility and others infected with the said new Opinion, to return of themselves, and of their own free-will to the catholic Religion, and to abjure and renounce the New, without any more express commandement from the King. For howsoever it be, his Majesty is resolved to make his subjects live in his Religion, and never to suffer whatsoever may betid, that there shall bee any other form or exercise of Religion in his Realm then the catholic; The said Duke of Guise shall communicate with the principal Officers and Magistrates, having the principal charge and administration of Justice in Cities of his government, his Majesties declaration, to the intent they should know his mind, and the good end whereunto he tendeth for the uniting and quietness of his subjects, to the intent the said M. de Guise, and the said Officers and Magistrates, should with one concord, intelligence and correspondence proceed to the effect above-said, so that fruit and quietness may thereof ensue, such as his Majesty desireth, not only for himself, but for the whole realm. The bailiffs and Stewards which are not in Religion accordingly qualified, shall within one month resign their Offices to Gentlemen capable, and of the quality required by the Edict, which may keep and exercise the same. And to the intent this should be done, his Majesty doth now presently declare them deprived after the said month, if they do not then resign, that they shall have no occasion or colour of excuse to delay their resignations, and yet permitteth them in the mean while to resign without any fine paying. All bailiffs and Stewards shall be resident at their offices upon pain of loss of the same, and if they cannot so be, then they shall be bound to resign. All Archbishops and Bishops shall likewise be resident in their Dioces and such as for age & other indisposition of person cannot preach the Word of God, nor edify the people, and do other functions appertaining to their charge and dignity, shall be bound to take a conductor to comfort them, and to employ themselves to the duty of their charge. To the which Conductor they shall appoint an honest and reasonable pension according to the fruits and revenue of their living. Also Parsons and Vicars shall be resident at their benefice, or else shall be admonished to resign them to such as will be resident, and do their duty. Archbishops and Bishops shall take information of them which hold abbeys, Priories, and other benefice in their diocese, of what quality soever they are, and how they do their duty in the administration of them, where upon they shall make process by word unto the Governours, which shall sand them to the King to provide therein as reason shall move him. They shall compel the Curates actually to abide at the places of their benefice, or else shall appoint other in their steads according to the disposition of the Cannons.  
At Paris the third of November, 1572. Signed CHARLES.   

LETTERS OF M. DE Gordes, the Kings Lieutenant in dauphin, to certain of the Religion in his Government, whereby he exhorteth them to come back again to the Religion of Rome; and how the King is determined to suffer none other.  
SIr, I am sufficiently advertised of your behaviour, but you should remember what advertisements I have before sent you to return to the catholic Religion of yourself, which is the best hold and stay that you can choose for your preservation and health putting from you all those which persuade you to the contrary, who would abide to see any commotion or disorder, rather than abate any point of their opinion. And by this means you shall make evident to the King, the will which you say you have to obey his Majesty, counseling you for as much as I desire your well doing, that this is the best for you to do, without looking for any more open commandement: otherwise assure yourself, there can but evil come of it, and that his Majesty would be obeied. And thus I pray God to advice you, and give you hi● holy grace.  
From Grenoble the sixth of December, 1572. Your entire good friend, GORDES.   

THE ANSWER OF THE Gentlemen, Captaines, Burgesses, and other being in the Town of Rochell, to the commandements that have been given them in the name of the King, to receive garrisons.  
WE the Gentlemen, Captaines, Burgesses, and other now being in this town of Rochell, do give answer to you monsieur N. and to such commandements as you give us in the name of his Majesty, that we cannot aclowledge that, that which is signified unto us, and the Proclamation which you require that wee should cause to bee published, do proceed from his Majesty. And thereof we call to witness his Majesty himself, his Letters of the 22. and 24. of August, his own signet, and the publishing of the same Letters, by the which his said Majesty layeth all the fault of all the trouble lately happened, & of the cruel slaughter done at Paris, upon those of the house of Guise, protesting that he had enough to do to keep himself safe within his castle of Louure with those of his Guard. And we shal never suffer ourselves to be persuaded that so foul an enterprise and so barbarous a slaughter hath at any time entred into the mind of his Majesty, much less that the same hath been done by his express commandement, as the paper importeth which you have exhibited unto us, nor that his Majesty hath been so ill advised, as himself to cut off his own arms, or to defile the sacred wedding of madam his own sister with the shedding of so much noble & innocent blood, and with the shane of so cruel a fact to slain the nation of France and the blood royal, which hath heretofore ever among al nations born the name of frank and courteous: nor that he hath had mind to deliver matter to writers to set forth a tragical history such as antiquity hath never heard speak of the like, and such as posterity cannot report without horror. But that it was first laid at Rome, and afterward hatched at Paris, by the authors of all the troubles of France. And howsoever it be, we are ready to maintain that out of the mouth of his Majesty doth not proceed hot and could, white and black, and that he doth not now say one thing, and by and by another, as he should do if the paper that you present unto us had passed from him, protesting that he will inviolably keep his Edict, and immediately breaking the same in declaring that he commanded those murders to be committed, having also made protestation before, that it is to his great grief, and done by the outrage and violence of those of Guise, against whom he was not able to make speedy resistance in time, as his Majesty desired. And in this quarrel, wee the Gentlemen, Captaines, and other that make you this answer, are ready to try it by combat man to man, or otherwise, to maintain the honour of our King against all those that so profane holy things, and as much as in them lieth do by such words and titles villainously defile the excellence of his Majesty, and of the noble Princes of his blood. Which we may right well conjecture & estimate, by the slaughters that are yet in doing, as well in the Town of Paris, as else-where, upon so many Noblemen, Gentlemen and other, men, women and children, and upon a great number of young scholars( the maintenance under God, of realms and commonweals in time to come) and by many other barbarous, unnatural and unmanly acts generally committed. We think therefore and judge that herein treason is enterprised against the person of his Majesty, and of my Lords his brethren, and that the Guisians mean to invade the Crown of the realm, as they have of long time practised, and howsoever it be, we say that his Majesty is forced by the power that they have taken upon them, and usurped, by means of the rebellious stir of the Commons of Paris. As for that which they say, that the admiral and those of the Religion had conspired against the Kings Majesty and his brethren; these bee allegations of as great truth, and of as good likelihood, as their manner of proceeding in justice hath been orderly, beginning at execution before examination of the fact. But it is now no need to tarry for time to discover it, for the matter is plain to be seen with eye, and groaped with hand, and all those of the Romish Religion that have remaining any drop of nature of man, do confess it and hold down their heads for shane, cursing both with heart and mouth the cruel executors of this abominable enterprise, and the wicked disturbers of common quiet, which can yet no more suffer, than they hitherto have done, that this poor realm should long enjoy the benefit of that peace, which the King alone, next under God, had wisely caused to be made, and to be accordingly observed, whereof this realm began to feel the good taste, to the great contentment of all persons, except the enemies of peace and of this realm, namely, the Guisians. Finally, when his Majesty being out of their hands and power, shall declare what is his pleasure, we will endeavour us to obey him in all things, wherein our consciences, which are dedicate to God alone, shal not be wounded, 
a true christian resolution  in which case wee will rather forsake the earth than heaven, and our frail and transitory houses rather than the heavenly mansions. But hitherto the law of Nature, and the duty that we owe to our natural Prince, to the preservation of his crown, and to the safety of our lives, our wives and children, doth command us to stand upon our guard, and not to put to ourselves in the mercy of those that have received the same bloody commission from the Guisians, under the pretended name of the King to use us in the same manner as they have wickedly, traitorously, and unnaturally done to those about his Majesty, and as it were under his wings, and under the skirts of his rob, which the traytors strangers have stained with the true French blood, without that his Majesty hath been able to remedy it, nor to stay their cursed attempts: so much less is he able now so far off to defend us as he would, which his Majesties good will being known unto us, doth arm us for our defence, and for the safeguard of our lives, and for the privileges which he hath given us, until such time as he shall be able by himself to defend us against his enemies and ours.  
FINIS.   

Errata.  
IN the Epist. page. 2. line. 13. for deceit red deceive. p. 4. l. 8. put out( it)  
Pag. 11. lin. 3. for Princes red Prince. p. 31. l 7. Margrat r. Margaret. p. 35. lin. 9. for sealed r. seal. p. 53. l 5. for County r. Count. p. 59. l. 17. for County r. Count. p. 66. l. 5. for keeker r. keeper. p. 78. l. 22. for fiances r. finances. p. 81. l. 25. for Majesty r. Majesties. p. 84. l. 1. for speeces r. speeches. p. 90. l. 15. for that Parisians r. that the Parisians p. 105. l. 6. for Cod r. God. p. 129. l. 14. for house r. houses. p. 157. l. 11. for way r. away.   

ORdered by the Committee for Printing, that this book entitled A French Massacre, or pattern of popish Peace, be re-printed; and that Master Thomas Case be desired to nominate the man that shall print it.  
John White.   

I Nominate Richard Whitaker to Print this book, as is desired by the Committee for printing.  
Thomas Case.